Sandy swallowed a sigh. Was Guy part of the reason that Becky had secretly signed up for the retreat?
‘I’m sure he’ll be around, but he does guard his privacy these days.’ She looked around at the others. ‘Anyone else have a question?’
When everyone shook their heads and muttered, ‘No,’ Sandy pushed her chair back and stood up.
‘I’ll leave you to finish up the cakes and champagne and get to know each other a little more. See you all at dinner tonight,’ and she turned to leave.
‘Nearly forgot, I’m having dinner with my boyfriend tonight,’ Becky called out. ‘Probably be late back – do I get a key or a passcode? I wouldn’t want to disturb anyone.’ The half-smile she gave Sandy didn’t cover the challenging look in her eyes.
Sandy took a deep breath. She sensed that the question was a loaded one and one she had to answer carefully. Becky with her thousands of social media followers could easily put a toxic comment on Instagram or another social media site about both the retreat and Villa Celestia. She couldn’t take the risk of that happening. Neither could she ask Guy to play night-time concierge.
‘You won’t be joining us for the first evening? That’s a shame. Okay. I don’t think Guy likes to give out keys, so I will personally lock the door at midnight – is that late enough for you?’
Becky hesitated before shrugging. ‘It will have to be. If I can’t get back by then, I’ll just stay with Xavier. He has a boat moored in the marina.’
Which, Sandy realised, would mean her staying up not knowing whether Becky was indeed coming back that night or not. Did Becky expect her to dispute that arrangement? Or ask her to send a text to confirm she wouldn’t be back? Well, she wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction. Normally in bed by about ten thirty, tonight she would sit out on the terrace and read until midnight. Thankfully she had her Kindle with her.
Leaving the others out on the terrace, Sandy made her way thoughtfully indoors. As the youngest of the women here, was Becky Taylor going to be a problem for the next fortnight? Was she simply a selfish young woman wanting everything to suit her? Was she here in Villa Celestia for something other than a simple writing retreat?
Sandy took a deep breath and tried to hush her thoughts. She needed to believe that Becky was genuinely here to do some writing and network with authors. If she was here for some other reason, Sandy, for the life of her, couldn’t work out what it could possibly be.
She stopped at the kitchen, where Zoe was prepping vegetables for dinner, hoping to see Guy.
Zoe shook her head and pointed to the closed door of the cubbyhole when she asked if he was around. ‘I thought he was going to work in there, but he’s disappeared.’
‘I’ll catch him later. Could you tell him please that there will be six, not seven, for dinner this evening. Thanks,’ and Sandy left Zoe to it.
10
After Sandy had left them to finish the few remaining cakes and champagne, Helena looked at Liz. ‘I’m sorry if I came over all fan girly earlier, but I am genuinely thrilled to be here with you. And I’m sorry you’ve had a difficult year.’
Liz shrugged. ‘I’m not the first middle-aged woman to find herself cast out and single again, exchanged for a newer model. I’m quite enjoying the unexpected freedom. I just need to get my writing mojo back.’
‘I’m so looking forward to the next couple of weeks,’ Isobel said. ‘I always feel inspired after one of Sandy’s retreats. The first one, three years ago, really gave me a creative boost. After fourteen books, I felt I was in danger of becoming…’ She shrugged. ‘Stale is the word really. I didn’t seem to have an original idea in my head, but by the end of the fortnight, I was buzzing. I’m hoping for the same again.’
‘Doesn’t finding ideas get easier the more books you’ve written?’ Mandy asked.
Isobel shook her head. ‘You’d think so, wouldn’t you? Seeing the books you’ve had published does make you think, I’ve done it before and I can do it again, but easier? No.’
‘It’s why I like writing series,’ Lorraine said quietly. ‘There’s always a character lurking somewhere in the background waiting for their story to be told.’
‘I hadn’t thought of that,’ Liz said. ‘I’ve always written standalone books and shied away from writing a series because of remembering details from book to book.’
Lorraine laughed. ‘I keep what I call my book bible for each series – physical description of all characters, settings, annoying quirks I may have given one of them and other stuff that needs to stay the same in every book.’ She shrugged. ‘It helps.’
Becky put her empty glass down on the table and stood up. ‘Going to have to love you and leave you all to it until tomorrow. I just hope this Sandy knows her stuff,’ she said. ‘My agent has already got a contact who is interested in seeing my ideas. Ciao.’
As Becky turned and disappeared into the villa, Mandy broke the silence that descended. ‘Lucky her. I guess it truly is a question of who you know and Becky Taylor clearly knows the right people.’
Liz shook her head. ‘I can’t deny that knowing the right people doesn’t help – in all walks of life actually – but at the end of the day you have to have written a book that readers want to read for it to hit the bestseller lists.’
Isobel glanced at her watch. ‘Two hours until dinner. Fancy a stroll around Antibes, anyone – and maybe an aperitif in one of the bars in the old town? Last time I was here, there was a small friendly bar at the top of the market.’
Everybody agreed it was a good idea and with Isobel appointed as official guide as nobody else had ever been to Antibes before, the five of them set off.
Isobel led them along the coast road and onto the old ramparts that bordered the sixteenth-century town along the coastline. Early evening but there were still people strolling along, enjoying the calmer atmosphere now that the frenzy of crowds of day visitors had died away.
Isobel pointed out the Musée Picasso, housed in the old Grimaldi Castle building.
