‘I’ll find out train times while you pack,’ he said. ‘You don’t need to take everything, just things you need for Paris. You won’t be needing a boiler suit when you’re living with your relations.’
Although she had felt she would never laugh again, this did make her chuckle. ‘Especially not one that’s covered in brick dust.’
‘Just leave everything you won’t need. I’ll sort it out later. Get your things together and then ring Donna. I’m sure she’ll be delighted to hear from you.’
Chapter Thirty-three
David was right: Donna was thrilled to hear from her, and insisted she came to stay. David had also given her quite a lot of cash in exchange for a cheque so Alexandra didn’t hesitate to get a taxi from the station to Donna’s apartment when the train finally pulled into Paris. Her ankle, although improving, wasn’t up to all the walking that somehow the Métro always required. It was a little bit of a struggle getting up the stairs but once she’d rung the bell, Donna flung it open.
‘Oh, honey!’ said Donna. ‘What has happened to you? Come in! Let’s have champagne!’
To her huge embarrassment, Alexandra burst into tears.
‘Alexandra! What’s wrong? Have a brandy.’
‘I’m never drinking brandy again,’ said Alexandra through her sobs.
‘Do you want to tell me?’
Alexandra found that she did. She had been very happy living in the chateau and was disappointed at the thought of missing Jack and Penelope’s wedding, but she had missed female company she could confide in.
The two of them sat at the small kitchen table nibbling potato crisps. After her first glass of champagne Alexandra sipped Perrier water; alcohol could get you into serious trouble.
When Alexandra got to the bit where she asked Antoine to make love to her, Donna gasped in shock. ‘That was brave,’ she said.
Her look of absolute horror made Alexandra feel even worse. ‘It was the brandy. I must have drunk far more than I thought.’
‘I don’t blame you for wanting to sleep with him,’ said Donna. ‘Antoine is so gorgeous. But to ask him! If I want to have sex with Bob I just undress in a way that makes him want it. I would never, ever come straight out with it. Not that I think it’s wrong for women to do that; I just never would myself.’
‘So you don’t think I was mad to run away, then?’
‘I do not! But now, why don’t you have a hot bath, to make up for the cold one you had last night, and get dressed in your best clothes and we’ll go out to eat? There’s a darling little bistrot around the corner, where the waiters are friendly and we can comfort ourselves by eating steak frites. I do hope you can stay at least for a few days. I want a girlfriend to go shopping with!’
‘If you have a constant supply of hot water, I think I probably can stay! Oh, Donna, one more big, big favour? Could you ring my friend David at the chateau and tell him I got here safely? I should have done it sooner really.’
It was good to be going out, Alexandra told herself firmly, dressed up, with make-up on. She’d spent a lot of time recently wearing a boiler suit doing manual work. Now she was back to being a girl again.
Donna approved her appearance. ‘You look great!’ she said. ‘You’ve obviously decided to get back on the horse.’
Alexandra smiled. Inside she thought she’d be heartbroken forever but felt she had to put a brave face on it. Donna was obviously so pleased to have her to stay. ‘Well, maybe I’m not ready to get back in the saddle, but I am willing to put a foot in a stirrup.’
Donna had been a country girl back in the States and appreciated this analogy.
The following morning, after breakfast with Bob, who was very kind and welcoming, Donna decided that Alexandra needed to go shopping. ‘There’s nothing that cheers a girl up more than a new hat – as my mother used to say. I’d prefer a new dress myself,’ she said, wiping breadcrumbs on to her napkin.
‘Well, I could certainly do with some new clothes. I only seem to have bought things from a stall for farmers or a brocante since I’ve been in France. Maybe it’s time to try the fashionable shops of Paris!’
Alexandra had a bit of money saved up, having hardly spent anything while at the chateau. And something pretty to wear would cheer her. It would also disguise her inner feelings quite well. No one would believe a girl in a new dress could be heartbroken. She put her hair up into a chignon, to give her new look a start.
Yet in spite of Donna’s helpful suggestions, Alexandra found it difficult to find anything she really liked. Paris had such lovely shops, even if many of them were quite outside her budget. But her ankle was hurting and she wasn’t in the right frame of mind for shopping.
They had just decided to give up finding things to wear and take up finding somewhere for lunch when Donna suddenly disappeared into a tiny shop Alexandra had missed. She shot out again almost immediately.
‘Come in here! They’ve got lovely things. And so reasonable!’
Alexandra was aware that Donna’s idea of what was reasonable was different to hers, even though she had set out intending to spend money, but she followed her into the boutique anyway. They might have a chair she could sit on for a while and rest her ankle, she told herself.
The vendeuse came forward and spoke in English. ‘Can I help you, madame?’
