“I havefromagesin the car,” added Gigi. “The best cheesesBretagnehas to offer.” She looked to Pete, tilting her head slightly. “S’il te plait.Would you mind?”
“Not at all,” he replied, heading straight out to get them.
“And I have glasses and crockery to bring in,” Julia called after him.
“On it.”
“Now where are the others,” Julia continued. “Gossiping over the video shoot, no doubt. Or should I say singing the praises of that band.”
Still troubled, Flick noted the disdain that accompanied her words. “In the kitchen,” she replied, directing everyone down the hall.
As predicted, Dee and Brenda were still discussing Argon Fire.
“But I was so hoping to meet them.” Dee sighed like a lovelorn teenager.
“The band will not be here?” Gigi asked, stopping short.
Jess also paused, disappointed, and tutting at the very idea of them being a no show, she plonked herself down in a chair at the table.
“They have back-to-back interviews and appearances scheduled,” Flick’s mum said then looked to Julia. “They’re on their way back to the UK.”
Her mother’s pointed tone told Flick there was more to the statement than a simple explanation, forcing her to again to wonder what was going on between the two. She looked from one woman to the other, her eyes narrowing as she took in Julia’s response; her shoulders seemed to slump a little, as if she could finally relax. “Is everything all right?”
“Fine,” Brenda replied. “Why?”
Julia fixed a smile on her face. “What could possibly be wrong?”
“I don’t know. That’s why I’m asking.”
“I’m sorry,” Julia said, finally coming clean. “You’re right. All hasn’t been well lately.”
Flick knew it.
“Although as it turns out, I’ve been fretting unnecessarily. It’s just that we all know how important tonight is and while dealing with the crew is one thing, having to cope with a rock band like that... Who knows how the night would have gone?”
“I suppose,” Flick said, not quite sure whether or not to believe her.
“Honestly,” Julia continued, as if determined to make her point. “Things will be so much more relaxed without Argon Fire here.”
“But not half as much fun,” Dee said.
“I agree,” Jess said.
“Me too,” Gigi said.
“Now, where are we with the preparations?” Julia asked, ignoring all three.
As everyone began discussing what still needed to be done, Flick continued to feel as if there was something her mother and Nate’s aunt weren’t telling her. But whatever it was, much to her dismay, they were determined to keep it to themselves. She told herself to let it go. After all, she knew she wasn’t the only one under pressure, everyone present had invested something in that night’s event, and were probably all a bit stressed as a result.
Or maybe you’re simply being paranoid?Flick thought, which she considered understandable. The last big occasion she’d been a part of was her wedding day and look how well that had turned out.
31
As Rufus lay sleeping in front of the blazing wood burner, Nate sat in silence at the table. He stared at the discarded CD in front of him, an unwanted gift from an unwelcome visitor. Nate sneered. Even without the photo of his mum gracing the front he would have known the song was about her. Why else would Lenny suggest Nate listen to it? Sliding it out of arm’s reach, that was the last thing he planned on doing.
He wished he’d handed Brenda a wad of cash instead of trying to be clever. She hadn’t asked for money, but it would’ve made his life a whole lot easier if she had. He wasn’t just tied to Bruce’s up and coming plans, Nate’s past had invaded his home, his sanctuary.
He got up from his seat and headed for the window. The nights were certainly drawing in. It might still be early, but it was black out there, the only hint of life being the bright lights of the chateau. Lit up against the darkness, it looked stunning, like an image in one of the fancy calendars sold to visiting tourists.
