Realizing that from her side, this didn’t get any better, she braced herself again, and said, ‘We – the team and I – wondered if you’re going to tell me something significant about the twins. Maybe even introduce me to them?’
Although he blinked, he seemed neither surprised nor offended by her words, only reflective as he absorbed them and eventually said, ‘Believe me, I wish I was able to do that, but I’m afraid it is not the reason I invited you.’
She sat back as two generous flutes of sparkling champagne and a dish of nibbles was set down between them.
He raised his glass and held her eyes as he said, ‘I’m glad you came alone; it gives me an opportunity to know you better.’
Certain that he wasn’t flirting, was actually quite serious about what he was saying, she waited for him to explain.
‘You are already playing a very significant role in my life,’ he told her, ‘and in a little while, maybe a week, although it could be longer, you will probably have a better understanding of why I feel it’s important for me to have this time with you.’
Not at all sure she was following, she said tentatively, ‘So this visit is connected to the twins?’
He took a sip of his drink and said, ‘Tell me, has Lauren called you yet?’
She shook her head.
‘She will; I’m certain of it. She just needs to choose the right time. For her, I mean, and her family.’
‘Does she have the twins? Or at least know where they are?’
His smile was sad. ‘No, she does not.’
‘Butyouknow where they are.’
Instead of answering, he checked his phone and said, ‘My brother is asking me to confirm if you will join us for dinner this evening at his home.’
What else could she say, apart from, ‘Thank you. I’d love to.’
He tapped in a reply and put the phone away. ‘This short visit to Vevey will, I hope, work two ways. As I get to know you a little better, you will also get to know me and my family. It is important, I believe, for both of us to have a deeper understanding of who the other is before everything changes.’
‘Changes in what way?’ she prompted, already suspecting she wouldn’t get a straight answer.
His gaze drifted to the flames closest to them, and the way they reflected in his eyes made him seem as though he was somehow submerged in them. ‘Much will depend on Nicole,’ he said finally. ‘She has agreed to see me, which is why I am flying back tomorrow, earlier than I originally intended.’ He looked at her again and said, ‘Now, perhaps you will allow me to tell you more about our beautiful lakeside town and why we have the world’s largest fork – eight metres tall – that you see right there, seeming to hover on the surface of the water.’
‘So the twins definitely aren’t there?’ Connor said when Cristy briefed him later.
‘I really don’t think so,’ she replied, going to the window of her luxurious room to peer through the heavy silk drapes. Even in the black of night, the view was spectacular, with the hotel’s pale walls, filigree balconies and outside lights reflecting like a mirage in the inky water. ‘Having just spent an evening with his brother and sister-in-law, who were delightful, I think this trip really is about getting to know me better.’
‘And why would he want to do that? No offence.’
‘None taken. All I can tell you is what we already know: that he’s gifted when it comes to drawing people out. No surprise, given his professional training – I’m just afraid I bored for England going on about my children, my time in TV,Hindsightand the other stories we’ve covered. But listen to what his brother said as I was leaving – his wife and Meier weren’t there at the time, just us two, and he said: “I believe Jean-Claude is right to trust you. Please don’t prove me wrong.”’
‘Seriously?’ Connor cried. ‘Did he qualify that?’
‘The others joined us then …’
‘So did anyonenottalk in riddles this evening?’
Smiling, she said, ‘It seems pretty obvious that Meier’s intending to reveal something big; it’s just a question of when, although I’m certain it’ll be after he’s seen Nicole.’
‘Which is when?’
‘On Saturday apparently. I’ve no idea how soon after that he’ll be in touch with us, or what difference the visit will make, but he was keen to know if we’d heard from Lauren. Please don’t ask me how it ties in; I don’t think we’ll have an answer for that until she does decide to get in touch.’
‘OK. So what’s on the agenda tomorrow?’
‘More getting-to-know-you with a tour of what was once their family vineyard before I train it back to Geneva in time for the 1425 flight. He’s getting the later one around seven, I think.’
