She was surprised at how much saying goodbye to Matt bothered her and how much she actually missed him. They had been keeping in touch with text messages every few days and they had FaceTimed but it wasn’t the same as being with him. It felt disjointed, awkward, and distant.
It was a Friday morning, Darcie had just opened up the shop and was settling down in front of her laptop to check her emails.
Her heart jumped as she caught sight of a message from the House of Chanel in her inbox. Without hesitation, she opened the email, hoping it would be the confirmation she had been waiting for.
Dear Darcie
Following our meeting in Paris last month, our legal team have now been able to secure the annual charitable donation for the next ten years to the war veterans’ charities both in the United Kingdom and in France as discussed and listed in our agreement. I am pleased to confirm the first payment has been made by bank transfer as per the attached receipt.
We are also delighted to confirm the Nathalie Leroux Scholarships for the Academy of Art & Design to support under-represented groups in both London and Paris have been established, with five scholarships available per institution. Again, further details are in the attached documents.
With all the necessary authentication certificates agreed both here at the House of Chanel and with the UK authorities, which I have no doubt will all be confirmed, we are honoured to be your nominated custodians of the Nathalie Leroux dress and sketchbook. These items will form part of the London 2023 Chanel exhibition and further exhibitions worldwide. As such, please find enclosed VIP tickets to attend the show at the Victoria & Albert Museum where you will be able to view the items on display.
We have also added the items to the official Chanel website, which you can see by following the link below.
Finally, we have reviewed the article prepared by Vivien Forbes-Langdon, editor of theThe History of Usmagazine, telling Nathalie Leroux’s story and have approved the contents, which went to press last week.
I don’t wish to sour the tone of this email, but I wanted to reassure you that Christophe Padgett has officially been dismissed from the employment of the House of Chanel for gross misconduct and misrepresentation. I understand that, unfortunately, the police have been unable to provide hard evidence connecting him to the break-in at your apartment and, for that, I would extend my sympathies. Please be assured that Padgett will never work in the fashion industry again.
On a personal note, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for all your efforts to uncover Nathalie Leroux’s story. I feel humbled by your determination.
Kindest regards
Daniel Auclair
Darcie closed the email. She should also thank Matt and his mother for backing her with this story. She forwarded a copy of the email to Matt.
Hi Matt
Take a look at this!
Thank you so much for everything you did for me when I was in Paris. I will never forget your kindness and blind faith. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to repay you but if you’re ever in England I can treat you to a proper cup of English tea.
Catch up soon,
Darcie
X
She went through the rest of her emails and was about to close the laptop when Lena and Chloe appeared in the shop.
‘Everything all right?’ asked Darcie, suspicious at their presence. ‘You both look very guilty.’
‘Oh, we’re fine,’ said Lena.
Darcie eyed them speculatively. ‘OK. If you say so. Anyway, look at this email I’ve received from the House of Chanel.’ She reopened Auclair’s email.
She stepped back while Lena and Chloe peered at the screen.
‘Oh, Darcie, that’s wonderful,’ said Lena. ‘I’m so glad something good came out of it.’
‘And that it’s for people who are under-represented or experiencing hardships is just brilliant,’ said Chloe. ‘You have a good heart, my dear sister.’
‘What I don’t understand though,’ said Lena, ‘is why Padgett went to all that trouble. If he’d kept quiet, no one would have been any the wiser or even connected him to that collaborator, Bochette.’
‘I know,’ said Darcie. ‘Padgett was ultimately a vain and greedy man. I believe he wanted the dress for his own personal collection or perhaps to sell to the House of Chanel, or a higher bidder, but he wanted to control the narrative, the backstory, and ensure his grandmother’s name wasn’t connected to his.’
A ping from the laptop broke their conversation.
