‘I can’t believe I’m floating in the Mediterranean on my thirty-first birthday, with Liz James my favourite author, my best friend Mandy and lovely new friend Lorraine. It’s super cool,’ Helen said as the four of them floated together, getting their breath back before heading to shore after their swim.
‘Believe it. Happy birthday,’ Liz said. ‘To be honest, I can’t believe I’m swimming in the Mediterranean with three new friends either.’ It was also impossible to believe how she was starting to feel about Guy, but she couldn’t voice that to anyone.
She thought about last night’s nightcap. Climbing the stairs to his wondering whether things would have changed between them after that kiss Monday evening, she’d been full of trepidation. She didn’t want things to have been spoilt between them. But it had been fine. They’d chatted away about their days, shared a glass of wine and then Guy had ‘walked her home’. Disappointingly, last evening’s goodnight kiss had been firmly on her cheek, but she’d consoled herself with the thought that it was for the best. They were friends, nothing more.
Lorraine nudged her. ‘You okay? The others have started to swim back to shore, I thought I’d better check on you.’
‘Oh sorry, I was miles away – daydreaming, would you believe,’ Liz said. ‘Thank you for checking on me.’
‘I hope your daydreams were good,’ Lorraine said.
‘They were, thank you,’ Liz said, and the two of them swam back together.
* * *
Breakfast was a jolly affair that morning as Helena opened a pile of unexpected presents she found waiting for her on the terrace table. Liz gave her a notebook and box of Provence olive oil and lavender soap. Mandy had bought her a silk scarf which Helena had seen on one of their walks into Antibes and had thought about buying for herself.
‘There’s a bottle of champagne in the fridge for later from me,’ Sandy said.
Lorraine gave her a book about how to write a bestseller, whilst Isobel gave her another notebook with its own pen. ‘You can never have too many notebooks,’ she said. ‘Most writers collect notebooks obsessionally. I know I do.’
Becky, late down to breakfast as usual, gave her a box of luxury bath products and a copy of her book. ‘I’ve signed it especially for you,’ she said as Helena unwrapped it. She hesitated for a couple of seconds before handing Helena a small oblong box. ‘This was in the goodie bag I was given at the weekend. I don’t have much use for it and I thought you might like it.’
Helena carefully opened the box and gasped at the Mont Blanc pen inside. ‘Are you sure? I’ve lusted after one of these for ages. Thank you so much.’
Becky smiled at her. ‘I hope you write lots of wonderful stories with it.’
‘Thank you all so much,’ Helena said. ‘I truly did not expect any presents, certainly not such wonderful ones.’
Mandy kept Helena at the villa when she suggested walking down to Port Vauban after breakfast and finding Leon. ‘Best wait here. He’s probably on his way and we will miss him,’ Mandy said, knowing that Leon planned to bring Joan to the villa at about half ten. ‘Besides, we’ve got the usual informal session with Sandy, and I for one don’t want to miss it. I’ve learnt a lot from those sessions.’
‘They’ve been brilliant, haven’t they?’ Helena said. ‘And knowing my brother, he could arrive at any time.’
They were about to help themselves to a cold drink after the session with Sandy and the others finished when Mandy’s phone pinged with a text message. ‘Leon is almost here. Let’s go and meet him in the hallway.’
Helena looked at her friend. ‘Why did he text you and not me?’
Mandy shrugged. ‘Does it matter? Come on.’
Helena followed her to the hallway with its open front door, where she saw Leon walking up the short drive. ‘Oh bother. He’s brought someone with him. I was looking forward to spending some time with just him. That’s one enormous bouquet I can’t see who it… Oh,’ she shrieked. ‘Mum. What are you doing here?’
‘Celebrating your birthday of course, what else.’ And Joan pulled Helena in for a tight hug.
* * *
As Leon had feared, he had to leave and get back to the yacht, where he was needed on board. ‘But I’ll see you both for dinner this evening.’
‘Half past six at my hotel,’ Joan said. ‘Try not to be late. I’ve got a taxi ordered for a quarter to seven. We could pick you up on the way if it’s easier?’
Leon shook his head. ‘No, I’ll be there. Ciao,’ and he was gone.
‘Why have you booked a taxi?’ Helena asked.
‘To take us to the restaurant,’ Joan said. ‘Do not ask which restaurant. It’s a surprise.’
Sandy appeared just then with a tray containing glasses, an ice bucket with a bottle of champagne and a plate of cantucci biscuits.
‘Shall we go out on the terrace? The champagne and the biscuits are from me and Guy. Happy Birthday.’
