‘It feels as though I am.’
‘Well, these things always take time.’ I squinted up at the kitchen clock. ‘It’s only half past nine. I’m sure you’ll be soon on your way.’
‘Hey, Mum, I got a really cool message from Francesca last night. She said she’s, like, really, really sorry I got hurt and to make it up to me, she said I can have first go on the snowmobile Papa got us for ever and ever.’
‘There you go – she’s nice. But that reminds me. Listen, Carl, if Grandpa phones you, don’t tell him about your accident, will you? I don’t want him and your gran worrying unnecessarily.’
‘He already did,’ Carl said, sounding lofty. ‘And I didn’t.’
‘You clever boy. Go straight to the top of the class.’
He giggled. ‘That’s exactly what I hope I’m going to do when I get in the intermediate ski class tomorrow, if they ever let me out of prison…’
I hung up, smiling. I couldn’t seem to stop smiling. I only had to think of Luc to feel bathed in soft, warm feathers. The sun was shining in through the kitchen window; it was a beautiful day, warm, bright, the sky so blue, glorious. I decided to go back upstairs and have a good, indulgent soak in the old bathroom. If Luc came home while I was still in there, who knows what could happen? Would the bath be big enough for the two of us? A delicious shiver of anticipation ran through my body. First off, however, I decided to be sensible. Most of my clothes were in dire need of a wash, not to mention a serious clean pants crisis. There was a machine in the downstairs shower room that Nicole and I had used to share. I’d stick a load in that.
Forty-five minutes later, having fought a battle – and won – with the French washing machine, had a bath and even washed and dried my hair, I was back sitting at the kitchen table, trying very hard not to feel deflated or even a touch anxious. How long did it take to identify a body, for goodness sake? Then I felt horribly guilty. Tom had died. He deserved as much of Luc’s time as Luc had timeto give. Besides, it was foul for Luc having to go through such a business. I should get up and do something, not replacement activity exactly, but something constructive. I would have a look at the salon with a view to tidying it up. On my way through the hall, however, the front door buzzer went. Yawning, I ambled over, picked up the handset and asked who was there.
‘Caroline.’
Moving the handset away from my ear, I looked at it in dismay. Caroline! What could Caroline possibly want? I couldn’t think of anyone I’d less rather see. I looked frantically about me. Perhaps I could simply go and hide somewhere.
Except, ‘Let me in!’ came another ventriloquist squawk. Drawing a hugely deep breath, I replaced the handset, pressed the entry button and opened the front door to witness Caroline leaping up the steps like a free runner.
‘What are you smirking at?’ she snapped as she marched straight past me into the hall.
‘Nothing.’
She turned to look me up and down, at which point she registered what I had already observed and had made me smile – sorry,smirk: that we were wearing exactly the same sort of clothes. Blue jeans, white shirt and a navy-blue jumper slung round our separate shoulders. Only difference? Caroline was wearing what were doubtless the family pearls about her neck, and her jeans were designer whereas mine came from H&M. However, from her expression, it didn’t look as though we were destined for a cosy little girlie giggle over our sartorial coincidence.
‘Would you like to come into the kitchen?’ I askedpolitely. ‘I’m afraid the salon is in rather a mess, but I can make you some coffee if you’d like one.’
‘I didn’t come here to drink coffee.’
‘Didn’t you?’
‘No, I did not. I came here to order you to leave. Your job here is finished.’
I contemplated her. ‘I rather think that’s a matter for Luc, don’t you?’ I said coolly.
‘Luc?’ she echoed, scowling. Then, ‘Luc?’ she spat. ‘Who the devil do you think you are calling him that? You’re only the bloody cook! He’s Mr Mandeville to you.’
‘Fine.’ I was not going to argue. ‘But whatever you want me to call him, he’s not here. He’s gone to the mortuary. I don’t expect you know, but there was a terrible accident last night.’
‘Of course I know! I know everything about it. Jules told me.’
Ah, the Nice bush telegraph, I thought, but wisely said nothing. She swept on regardless anyway.
‘So if you’re referring to that idiot Tom, then good riddance I say. Saves Luc the bother of sacking the fool.’
‘For heaven’s sake.’ I was shocked out of equanimity. ‘A man’s dead.’
Her face twisted with contempt. ‘Oh, don’t come the hypocrite with me. You don’t give a damn. I tell things how they are and it’s high time you did the same.’
There was a short pause while she continued to glare at me, breathing hard through her mouth like someone with sinusitis. I turned away from her.
‘I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘How dare you turn your back on me?’ Seizing myarm, she yanked me back round to face her.
