Dreaming of St-Tropez Page 24

  They landed quite a way outside St-Tropez and a sleek Mercedes taxi was waiting to drive them back to the villa. When they arrived home, Jess was amazed to see that it was still only eleven o’clock. They had travelled two hundred miles by car, boat and aircraft, and had a long lazy dinner, all in a matter of a very few hours.

  As the taxi drove off and silence returned, Jess looked across at him. He was standing in the middle of the gravel parking area, resting on his crutches, the floodlights in the umbrella pine shedding an orange glow across his head and face. She went up to him and gently laid a hand on his arm.

  ‘Would you like to come back to the guest house for coffee?’

  His expression was difficult to read. For a few moments he didn’t reply, before, evidently, arriving at a decision.

  ‘Thanks, Jess, but I’d better get back to the computer and see what’s happening in California. Some other time, maybe.’

  Doing her best to contain the wave of disappointment that surged through her, Jess reached up to kiss him goodnight. At the last minute he turned his head and her kiss landed on his cheek. She kissed him primly on the other cheek and then stepped back. For whatever reason, he was keeping things friendly, nothing more.

  ‘Goodnight, Jess, and thank you.’

  His voice was warm, but low.

  ‘I’m the one who should be thanking you, David. That was a totally memorable evening. I’ll never forget it for as long as I live.’

  ‘Next time, you choose.’

  Jess shook her head. ‘Next time you choose. You know me well enough by now.’ She glanced across at him in the lamplight and smiled. ‘And I know you a lot better now, too. Goodnight, David, and thanks again.’

  Chapter 23

  Jess didn’t sleep well that night. This might have been partly because of the exotic foods she had eaten, but she knew full well that it was her brain that was causing her insomnia. She eventually got up and took Brutus for an unusually long walk in the starlight, but even this didn’t help. She then found herself lying wide awake in bed into the small hours, running through the events of that night over and over again.

  She had felt sure she had read attraction in his eyes, and the touch of his hand against hers, as well as the kiss of her fingers, had been sensual rather than just sociable. Apart from her initial wobbly moment when she had found herself catapulted into the midst of the great and the good – or not so good – it had been a warm, cosy evening and she had come away feeling a whole lot closer to him. Where the evening would have led if he had accepted her invitation for coffee remained to be seen but, deep down, she knew she would have been happy if it had led to her bed. And yet, he had turned her down. Why?

  Was there somebody else? He and his girlfriend had split up ‘a few years ago’, so there would have been ample time for him to form other significant relationships since then. But as Hope had pointed out, if there was another woman, where was she?

  And if it wasn’t another woman, was it something physical? For a moment she wondered just how damaged he had been. Maybe his injuries extended to other parts of his body as well as his legs and he was afraid, ashamed, uncertain if he was capable of forging a physical relationship? The ramifications of this kept her awake for a considerable time, but without leading her to any firm conclusion.

  And, then, of course, there was the other explanation. Maybe, seeing her there in the restaurant, like a fish out of water, he had realised just how deep the gulf between them really was. He had invented all that stuff about being a changed man to hide the fact that he had worked out that she just wouldn’t fit into his lifestyle.

  She finally must have drifted off to sleep some time around dawn, but she was rudely awakened at eight o’clock by her phone. She picked it up and was pleased when she saw who was on the other end.

  ‘Hello Mrs Dupont. How lovely to hear from you. Where are you now?’

  ‘Jess, my dear, how good to hear your voice. We’re in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. We left the Galapagos Islands yesterday and we’re heading west. So, how are you getting on?’

  She and Jess chatted for a few minutes under the watchful eyes of Brutus, who was waiting for his morning walk. Jess gave her a progress report on her beloved dog, and then she moved on to the humans. She described the works that had started in the villa and how George and David were looking and sounding so much more positive. When she told her about the drinks party there had been on the fifteenth, Mrs Dupont sounded delighted. Jess had already told her the tale of Hope’s relationship with Max and its crushing termination, followed by its resurrection from the ashes, and now she told her how happy the two of them appeared to be together on the yacht. Mrs Dupont sounded pleased for Hope, but, clearly, was more interested in Jess.

  ‘So what about you, Jess? Have you found yourself a handsome man as well?’

  ‘I’m fine, Mrs Dupont. To be honest, I’m spending a good bit of time with David.’ Remembering the way things had finished the night before, she was quick to add clarification. ‘But, don’t worry, there’s nothing romantic going on there. I just enjoy spending time with him and he’s really starting to come out of his shell.’ She went on to give a brief account of the previous evening’s outing, but without any mention of touching, kissing or emotions. To her surprise, Mrs Dupont made an unexpected confession.

  ‘I’m so glad you’re spending time with David. I’ll be totally honest and let you into a little secret. When I asked you to go over to St-Tropez, it wasn’t just for Brutus’s sake. I’m sure you’ll think I’m just a meddling old busybody, but I just knew you’d be good for David. You’re pretty, you’re bright, and you know your own mind. And from what you’ve said, your influence is working wonders. And, just between the two of us, if romance were to blossom between you and David, nobody would be happier than me.’

  ‘Well, somehow, I don’t think anything’s going to happen on that front. His life and mine are so very different.’

  ‘My point exactly.’ There was a triumphant note in the old lady’s voice. ‘He needs to make a good few changes to his lifestyle.’

  ‘I’m afraid his accident has already done that for him.’

  ‘Of course, but I’m not just talking about all those crazy sports he was doing. He needs to realise that he’s not a young man any more. He needs to settle down.’

  ‘We had a good long talk last night. I think he realises that himself.’

  ‘You see? That’s your influence, Jess.’

  By the time the conversation ended, Jess was thoroughly confused. She climbed out of bed, greeted the effusive Labrador, and pulled on an old T-shirt and shorts. As she and Brutus walked down to the beach, her brain was still churning – now adding this latest revelation to the mix.

  So Mrs Dupont had had her earmarked for David from the start. That in itself was unexpected enough, but even more unexpected was the revelation that the old lady wanted Jess to help David change his lifestyle. How she was supposed to do that, and what David’s reaction might be, remained to be seen.

  Back at the guest house after Brutus’s walk, Jess was in for another surprise. When she opened her laptop to check her mail, she was amazed to find one from Graham, her former employer, sent the previous evening. As was his way, it was long and convoluted, but the upshot was that things had changed at work. They now wanted her back, in a more responsible position, with a hefty increase in pay – to begin as soon as she was free.

  Absently, she gave Brutus his breakfast, made herself some coffee and toast, and sat down at the outside table. She could hear birds singing in the trees beyond the house and a wonderful scent of roses floated in all the way from the walled garden. The morning sunlight still hadn’t reached the ground and it was shady and cool out here, although the cloudless sky promised to produce another scorching hot day. At her feet, the happy dog was rolling around on his back, rubbing himself dry on the flagstones. It was an idyllic scene and this was an idyllic place, but now, with the arrival of this email, reality h
ad returned – with a bang.

  How on earth could Graham possibly expect her to docilely return to the fold after being booted out so unceremoniously? And, more interesting still, what had brought about this change of heart? At the same time, the chance to leap up a grade and find herself earning a good bit more than before wasn’t to be sniffed at. What on earth did all this mean? She needed help, so she picked up her phone and called her best friend.

  ‘Hi, Hope, it’s me.’

  ‘Hi, Jess, how’s it going?’

  ‘Fine, thanks. Where are you?’

  ‘Monte Carlo.’

  ‘Wow! I was there just last night.’

  ‘With you-know-who?’

  ‘With David, yes.’

  ‘And is he still with you now, or has he done the walk of shame back to his room?’

  ‘No, Hope, nothing happened. He slept in his bed and I slept in mine.’ Although, Jess reflected to herself, she had done precious little sleeping – but not for the reason to which Hope was alluding.

  ‘But you’re still friends?’ Hope sounded concerned. ‘You didn’t do a Drugoi on him and thump him, did you?’

  ‘Why does everybody think I thumped Drugoi? And, no, I didn’t thump anybody – especially not David. And he and I are definitely still friends, very good friends.’ Just how good remained to be established. ‘But let me tell you about this email I’ve just opened.’

  She related the contents of Graham’s email to Hope and waited for her response. It didn’t take long.

  ‘I reckon it’s him – your Russian friend – Drugoi.’

  ‘Drugoi?’

  ‘Yes. You saved his life – well actually I had a hand in that as well, but what the hell. You wouldn’t take his money, so he found another way of thanking you. I reckon he must have contacted Graham and told him to give you back your job – or else. After all, he’s the one who got you fired in the first place.’

  Jess turned the idea over in her mind and, the more she thought about it, the more she had to agree that Drugoi might indeed have had a hand in it.

  ‘You might well be right, Hope.’

  ‘So, what are you going to do, Jess? Do you tell Graham to stuff it, or do you go back there? It’s more money, after all.’

  ‘After the way Graham treated me, I really don’t know.’

  ‘Business is business, Jess. We’re halfway through the summer already. Before long it’ll be time to head back to the UK and return to reality. You need a job. He’s offering you what sounds like a pretty good one.’

  Hope was right. In less than a month and a half, it would be time to up sticks and head for home again. At that very moment, a beautiful zebra-striped butterfly flew past and settled on the head of the statue in the middle of the courtyard, flexing its wings gently up and down in the first rays of sun to reach down to it. Jess took a long, nostalgic breath. It was going to be very, very tough to leave this little piece of paradise.

  ‘I really don’t know, Hope. I’ll sleep on it before replying, anyway. So, what about you? What happens to you in six weeks’ time? Are you coming home with me and Brutus?’

  ‘Good old Brutus. I miss him, you know. How is my big hairy friend?’

  ‘Your big hairy friend is a very happy dog. And, just this morning, when he came out of the water, I could count all his ribs. Don’t get me wrong – he isn’t as thin as he should be yet, but he’s getting there. He’s currently lying on his back at my feet, grunting to himself – can you hear him? Anyway, what about you, then? What happens at the end of August?’

  ‘Some interesting developments on that front, Jess.’

  ‘Such as?’

  ‘I’ll tell you on Saturday if you’re around.’

  ‘I’ll be here. Does this mean you’ll be back at St-Trop this weekend?’

  Jess was delighted at the prospect of catching up. Hope had been away now for almost three weeks.

  ‘Yes, we’re heading back to St-Trop today, as there’s bad weather forecast for Friday. We’ll be fairly busy tomorrow and Friday but, as the next charter party doesn’t get here until Sunday afternoon, Max and I wondered if you and David might like to come and join us on Helios for lunch on Saturday. I was going to ring you this morning to ask, but you beat me to it. We thought we might invite a few other friends along and make a little party of it.’

  ‘That sounds brilliant, Hope. Yes, I’d love to, and I’m sure David will come along if he’s free.’

  ‘And do bring my big hairy friend as well.’

  * * *

  After a day spent washing clothes and mowing the increasingly dry, yellow lawn, Jess was pottering about in the kitchen when her phone rang. Her heart lifted as she saw who it was.

  ‘David, hi. Good to hear from you.’

  ‘Hi, Jess. Look, I know it’s a bit last minute, but I wondered if you felt like coming out for dinner tonight?’

  ‘Dinner again? Are you trying to fatten me up or something?’ His voice had sounded a bit tense, so she was doing her best to lighten things up.

  ‘No, it’s just that I reckon I know the right restaurant for you – for both of us. And it would be good to see you.’

  ‘It would be great to see you too, David. Well, if you’re sure, I’d love that. What time do you want to go?’

  ‘Leave here at sevenish, say. And, Jess, you don’t need to dress up for this one, I promise.’

  He was doing his best to sound cheerful, but Jess could hear something else in his voice and she wondered what was bothering him.

  ‘Seven it is. Do you want me to drive tonight? I’m quite a good driver. I promise I won’t frighten you too much.’

  ‘That’s very kind, but you know I love driving my old girl. We’ll go in the Jag – if that’s all right with you. And it’s not because I’m scared of your driving.’

  ‘Well all right, if you insist. Now I’d better go and get changed.’

  ‘Shorts and a T-shirt will do just fine.’

  Jess decided on shorts and one of her new tops. This one revealed a bit more skin than she was used to, but she knew there wouldn’t be many occasions when she would be able to wear something as skimpy as this when she went back to London. Besides, she told herself, it might even stir some interest in David. As she stood in the shower, she wondered what she had heard in his voice. She knew him well enough by now to realise that there was something bothering him.

  She was still pondering this as she walked through the walled garden to meet up with him. The box hedges and flower beds here were looking much more presentable now. George’s hard work was clearly paying off and Jess was delighted – more for him than for the garden. Knowing that he was getting out into the fresh air and enjoying his former hobby was definitely a very good omen for the future.

  David was already sitting in the car when she got there. The roof was down and he looked as handsome as ever. She lowered herself into the car and was delighted to see his eyes run across her body as she did so. She leant across towards him and kissed him on the cheeks. Then she drew back, but only a few inches, and gently lifted his sunglasses up onto his forehead so she was looking right into those magnetic blue eyes of his.

  ‘Hello, David. You look good.’

  ‘Not as good as you. You look amazing.’

  For a moment a hint of a smile appeared on his face, but disappeared as soon as it had come. Jess could definitely see that something was worrying him and she wondered what it might be. She sat back in her seat as he started the engine.

  ‘So, where are you taking me? And, please, after last night, could I be allowed to pay this time?’

  David shook his head. ‘Sorry, that’s not negotiable. But I really hope you’ll like the place we’re going to. It’s about half an hour away, in the hills.’

  It was a delightful evening with hardly a breath of wind and not a cloud in the sky. It was hard to believe the weather forecast she had just heard. As always, weather was a safe topic of conversation, so she took refuge in it.

&nb
sp; ‘Have you seen that we’re supposed to be having a hurricane tomorrow?’

  He glanced across at her as they waited for the electric gates to open fully.

  ‘Not quite that bad, but there’s a vicious-looking front coming across. It shouldn’t be around for too long, but it’ll certainly get very windy and unseasonably wet. They’re talking about a month’s rainfall in a few hours.’

  ‘Well, at least tonight should be fine. So, tell me more. Where are we going?’

  ‘It’s a cellar.’

  ‘A cellar? What, complete with rats, I suppose?’ She grinned at him. ‘Are you sure it’s the right place to take a young lady?’

  ‘It’s the right place to take this young lady, I’m sure. It’s a restaurant in the cellars of an old chateau. And it’s all right – it’s not a glitzy sort of chateau. I’m not taking you to Versailles. This place is pretty ramshackle, but the people are lovely and the food’s great – not as fancy as last night, but I’m sure you’ll like it.’

  ‘If I’m with you, I know I’ll enjoy myself.’

  He made no response.

  The restaurant was not so much a cellar as a series of rooms on the ground floor of an old fortress that perched high in the wooded hills. The ceilings were low, the walls rough stone, and the floors centuries-old terracotta tiles scarred by the passage of thousands upon thousands of feet. It was lovely and cool in there, as well as being very picturesque, and Jess immediately fell in love with it. They were shown to a little table for two in one of the inner rooms and Jess, after sitting down, looked across the table admiringly.

  ‘So you really do know me well! This place is perfect, David. Thank you so much.’

  He managed a smile and looked relieved. The owner was hovering in the background and, once they were seated, she stepped forward with a verbal menu. Jess listened hard and managed to understand at least half of it. By the sound of it, the speciality of the house appeared to be meat cooked on a charcoal grill. That suited Jess fine. Once again she and David decided to both have the same and they chose a wild mushroom salad, followed by a mixed grill. Jess put in a plea for small portions, but her pleas fell on deaf ears.