Alexandra lay in bed for a few minutes wondering if she should run after Stéphie and tell her to keep the kittens indoors, and wondering what on earth they were going to be fed on. Last night they’d had some leftover chicken. She knew she had to get up but couldn’t face getting dressed. Her dressing gown would do.
‘David!’ she said as she arrived in the kitchen. ‘No matter how early I get up, you’re almost always here first!’
‘It’s a big day today, Lexi,’ said David, ignoring her slight early-morning grumpiness. ‘Let me tell you the plan.’
‘I’d better check on those kittens before you do,’ she said. ‘I’ve no idea how to look after cats but I’m sure you don’t just let them loose when they first arrive.’
‘I’d agree with you, but if you look out into the courtyard, you’ll see them running round after Milou like mad things. I think if you call him in, the kittens will follow. Stéphie too, if you’re lucky.’
Stéphie came in first, red in the face and very happy. ‘The kittens used the bathroom under the fig tree and Milou ate their leftover chicken which means it won’t be wasted. I’m just going back out.’
‘Well, there’s a happy Official Birthday Girl!’ said David. He turned to Alexandra. ‘Perhaps you could have a cup of coffee and a croissant now. Yes, I have been to the boulangerie already.’
‘Tell me everything then, David!’ asked Alexandra a few moments later.
‘Well, yesterday we went over to Penelope’s and to her credit she understood right away that Antoine going away on Stéphie’s birthday did constitute an emergency. She’s organising the cake in the shape of a pony – although Stéphie will probably want a kitten now, or two kittens – and Penelope is going to make a proper Victoria sponge herself.’
‘It’s presents I’m worried about—’Alexandra began.
‘No need! We heard of an antiques market, quite far away but so worth it! It was the last market of the season and it seemed everyone wanted to get rid of their stock before winter.’
‘Oh! That sounds fun.’ Just for a second Alexandra felt a stab of longing for the old days when she and David would have spent happy hours hunting out bargains together.
‘It was. In fact, I did buy rather a lot of stock. It’s being stored in someone’s lock-up for now but sometime I’d like to get it back over the Channel and sell it.’
‘I do appreciate how much time you’ve given up for me and the children, although it’s for me really,’ said Alexandra.
‘Oh, darling! Don’t apologise – I’ve loved it! And I’ve been thinking about getting a little place over here and specialising in all things French. I’d keep an eye on you, apart from everything else.’
‘I’m going to be in Switzerland, David.’
‘Not until next year. Anyway, let’s get back to the matter in hand. Presents.’
‘Oh, David I’ve been so worried! Although logically I’m sure Stéphie understands—’
‘All sorted,’ said David, not a little smug. ‘Jack and I are giving her the nearly restored doll’s house. We’ve done quite a bit of work to it since you first saw it.’
‘Which is a very lavish present!’ said Alexandra.
‘And you are giving her the most divine toy bakery I think I’ve ever seen. It’s at Penelope’s. Jack is making sure it’s in as perfect condition as it can be given it was made in the 1900s.’
‘Jack stayed the night with Penelope?’ Alexandra was a little surprised.
‘He did; they are getting on rather well, I must say. Lucinda’s there, after all, and she’s being a brilliant chaperone.’ He sounded a little acid, Alexandra thought.
‘I suppose if it’s your mother …’ she began, trying to be fair.
‘I understand that part,’ he said, ‘but Lucinda used the word “nanny” rather a lot yesterday – referring to you. And I know that technically you are the nanny, but you do have a name and she does know it.’
‘Oh, David …’
‘So while I was buying toy bakeries and a lovely little horse and cart – in case Stéphie’s older sibs haven’t got her anything – I bought you a jacket and some trousers which are new. The trousers are new, I mean, not the jacket, which is Chanel.’
‘Chanel? David!’
‘And – here’s the best part – I managed to find some big pearls, just like the ones you used to wear in London.’
Alexandra got up and hugged him. ‘My fake pearls! The ones that are in my trunk in Switzerland, that I love!’
