‘Well, you’ve got a skipper at your command. You just have to say the word.’
‘Thanks, but the girls would find me and hunt me down and they’d probably bring my ex-husband too. Actually, can we change the subject now? That’s one person I really don’t want to talk about.’
When we finish sunbathing, we go for a final stroll around the charming little fishing village. I can see why it is one of Elias’s favourites as we pass a palatial pink hotel with large wrought-iron gates and then some old-style buildings with Juliet balconies. Elias breaks my thoughts as I try to picture the sort of people who must live in these homes.
‘Hey, I’m just thinking… Shall we sail to Cannes from here? It’s not far.’
Of course, he doesn’t have to ask me twice.
‘Umm, yeah, absolutely. What an adventure!’
‘Every day’s an adventure with me, I promise you that,’ says Elias.
As I look up at him, I feel as though I could fall head over heels in love with this man. Not because of his lifestyle but because of his kindness, his enthusiasm, and, most of all, his spirit of adventure.
Although a warning in my head reminds me that I have worked hard to build my new independent life to ensure that I never get hurt again. Besides, sometimes, adventures can lead to disaster, and you have to be careful what you wish for. I mean, how many times do the fearless get stuck on mountain expeditions? Or an intrepid explorer gets lost trekking in the outback? Being adventurous is not for the faint-hearted; forget what they say about fortune favouring the brave. There is always a risk with adventure, but I may need to ask myself if this is one adventure that is worth the risk.
Chapter Seventeen
By the time we arrive in Cannes in the early evening, the port is bustling with people, cars and breathtaking yachts. It is so much busier than Beaulieu-sur-Mer, and I am surprised we managed to secure a berth. I don’t know how Elias pulled it off, and I can only assume his boss has good connections.
After we have moored and made our way out of the marina, I look up at the big Ferris wheel that watches over the port. Elias catches me looking up at it. It is so pretty in the dusk with its pink and blue hues.
‘Fancy going up and checking out the views?’ he asks.
I haven’t been on a Ferris wheel since I was a kid. It’s not overly huge like some of them, and it looks like a fun thing to do, so I am eager to check it out.
I insist on paying for the ride, much to the annoyance of Elias, and hand over the money to the attendant. We step inside the little cage, and I feel a buzz of excitement. As the Ferris wheel moves upwards into the sky with the views of Cannes beneath us, Elias puts his arm around me, and we huddle together. I don’t think I could possibly be any happier than I am right now as we soar above the heights of Cannes. Bright lights flash as cars pass along the palm tree-lined road beneath us. The lights of the yachts illuminate the marina, where I spot a glimpse ofLady Jane. I can’t quite get over the fact that I am looking at the yacht I am staying on from up here on this Ferris wheel. I never dreamt my life could ever be this glamorous. It is so far removed from home.
I watch as the people below us get smaller as we reach the full height of the Ferris wheel, and the yachts in the moorings now only twinkle like little candle lights. This place couldn’t possibly get any more heavenly, and it’s the perfect place to admire the views.
When we finally come back down, Elias suggests we head to Le Suquet, which, he says, has pretty cobbled alleyways. We make our way there, passing delicatessens with displays of the most delectable French cheeses in their window and a patisserie selling gold leaf macarons. I have to stop for a moment to admire them. If it was a bit cheaper here, I might be tempted to take some back to the yacht to have with a cuppa! Although, it may not seem quite appropriate to have something like that with a good, strong brew. They should probably accompany some exotic leaf tea that has been picked from the highest mountains of Nepal – not the sort of tea you can find in the local Co-op.
The shops are so enticing with their handbags and jewellery displays that I could walk into all of them. The temptation of evening shopping becomes too much, and I pop into a little boutique that Soraya would love, even though the price tags may surprise even her. When we finish perusing the expensive stores, we decide to stop for a drink at one of the many bars and cafes that line the pretty cobbled pavements. We choose a bar with a bright red canopy and matching chairs. A water jug holds red roses, and Elias hands me one.
‘Pour mon amore,’ he grins cheesily.
I am tempted to seductively put the rose between my teeth but decide it might be best not to since I am most definitely the type of person to end up with a thorn stuck in my lip and need emergency treatment at a local hospital. This is why I have never been the adventurous type. Things can’t go wrong if you always play safe. But this man brings out the playful side in me that I thought was long gone and a sense of freedom that I have never felt before.
Over our drinks, we talk more than we ever have before. Elias tells me about how lonely he was after his wife died, and I admit that even before my marriage ended, when I had my husband beside me, if I am truthful, I can see now that I was incredibly lonely in that relationship. I don’t go as far as telling him about the time I bought a sleek new dress and walked into the bathroom as he was getting ready, hoping he would say something. Hoping he would actually notice me, but instead, he looked straight through me. I don’t ever recall his eyes lighting up when he saw me, like Elias’s do.
Elias picks up his drink and then puts it down again. He looks thoughtful.
‘I know I joke about them, but I think the boys are still finding it incredibly difficult to move on after their mum passed.’
‘I’m sure. It must have been awful to see her ill.’
‘It was, but I don’t know how healthy it is that they want me to keep the house like a shrine. It’s lovely, of course, that she’s remembered. But they won’t let me change anything because their mum chose this or put that in a certain place. I’m not saying we should all forget her, but it’s difficult to move forward when there are so many reminders. Another reason I like being out on the yacht, I suppose.’
‘Yes, it’s hard at this age when circumstances change. We don’t ever expect it.’
‘Definitely not. But all we can do is try and get on with it. Dear me, this isn’t a very happy conversation. I think we need to change the subject pronto! So, how do you like Cannes?’
‘I absolutely love it. I love everything so far. Monaco, Cannes, what a place this is. I can’t believe I almost didn’t come on this trip.’
‘Really?’
I contemplate telling Elias how I didn’t want to accept Soraya’s generosity but decide not to.
