Claudine put her drink down. ‘You are a successful project manager, in charge of a hotel. She must be the Queen of England!’
They ordered another cocktail, and Bella surreptitiously checked her watch. It was 8p.m. and a new type of clientele had begun to inhabit the bar – couples dressed for a night out on the way to the theatre, groups of twenty-somethings on the way to a meal or club. It was still light, but the air had a duller quality, as if darkness were preparing to enter from the wings.
She’d thought she might get home in time to join Odette and Henri who were off with a student crowd tonight. But in all honesty, she was not disappointed at the thought of missing out. She texted Henri:
Bella
Will be home late, don’t wait for me.
Henri
OK. See you later.
Bella
Of course.
They talked more about Claudine – her background in retail, a brief stint on reception at the Ritz before she’d married her second husband, her marriages and divorces, and how she now lived alone in an apartment many of her contemporaries would only dream of being able to afford.
‘Some would say that all I need now is a man to complete me,’ she said, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
‘And do you?’
Claudine laughed. ‘Not to complete me,non. But I will admit, it would be nice to have a man in my life again.’ She looked wistful. ‘Someone to talk to. To go through life with. I don’t want to end up like Madame Roux.’
‘Yes, tell me about her. How long has she lived at the hotel?’
A strange expression crossed Claudine’s face. ‘Ah, a few years perhaps,’ she said. ‘She was my mother’s friend – did Yves tell you? My mother died when I was quite young.’
‘Oh, I’m sorry. Mine too, actually.’
They exchanged a look. ‘Then you understand.’ Claudine said.
Bella nodded.
‘Madame Roux was my mother’s friend for many years. She actually helped to sew her wedding dress, I think. She was older than my mother, but they got on famously. Then, a few years ago, Madame Roux’s husband got sick…’ Claudine shrugged. ‘When he died, there was a problem with inheritance. And I offered to help.’
‘That was very nice of you.’
‘Yes. Perhaps too nice.’ Claudine raised an eyebrow. ‘She is very good at telling me how to run my hotel, or about the things I’m getting wrong.’
Bella laughed. ‘Yes, she’s already given me a fashion critique.’
Claudine smiled, almost affectionately. ‘I am not surprised. I hope she didn’t offend you?’
‘Not really.’
‘Good. She means well. She was very into her fashions back in the day.’
Bella nodded.
They were silent for a moment.
‘So you are single?’
‘Not exactly.’ Bella made a face. ‘I’m with someone new… but he’s a bit…’
Claudine leant forward, her eyes lighting up. ‘A bit what?’
