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Authors: Jennifer Bohnet
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ill?” She remembered registering Evie’s hesitant pause before she answered.
“I work in entertainment for the moment. I too am coming to—how you say in English—a crossroads in my life. I have to decide what to do next.”
“Where do you live?”
“Paris.”
“Well there’ll be lots of opportunities up there I expect for you,” Libby had said.
Evie had shaken her head, said, “I’m not so sure,” before changing the subject and asking Libby about Chloe and her planned career.
The rest of the evening had passed pleasantly as they’d made each other giggle with stories about their different life experiences, although Libby realised later that it was her life with Dan that had been the main subject of conversation. Not once had Evie mentioned having a partner, or a boyfriend, in her life.
Chloe’s text message to reassure her mother about her safe arrival at Helen’s had been the signal for them to finally say goodnight and go to bed.
“You have made a new friend,” Brigitte said.
“You know, I think I have,” Libby said. “Brigitte, can I talk to you about the guests who arrive next weekend? They’re regulars, aren’t they? Any tips on what they like and don’t like? They want dinner every evening.”
Brigitte laughed. “That would be the Bichets. They usually come at this time of year. You will like them. For dinner they like lots of salads and
charcuterie
, but they do not like garlic. They love chocolate desserts and they like their coffee really really strong.”
“A non-garlic-liking French family? I don’t believe it.” Libby laughed and turned as there was a gentle knock on the door.
“Hi. May I come in?” Evie said.
“
Bonjour
, Madame Patem,” Brigitte said politely.
“
Bonjour
,” Evie answered.
“How’s your arm?” Libby asked.
“Still painful but better. The pharmacy gave me some ointment to help bring the bruising out. Suggested a sling but—” Evie shrugged “—I prefer not. My ankle being strapped is enough. This is nice. You have guests coming in here?”
Libby shook her head. “No. I’m going to keep it for when family and friends visit and the auberge is full. Chloe has a bedroom in my apartment so I’m not expecting this gîte to be used that much.” She looked at the expensive camera Evie had hanging around her neck. “You’re obviously a keen photographer—I wouldn’t know where to start with a camera that complicated. Has to be a simple point and click for me!”
Evie smiled. “It’s easy really. I’m going to sit on the bench alongside the canal to take some photos. I saw a beautiful heron earlier. I would love to capture a picture of him.”
“Before you go, Madame Patem, Libby is coming for lunch with Bruno and me on Thursday—perhaps you would care to join us?” Brigitte smiled at Evie.
“That is very kind of you. I’d love to. And, please, call me Evie. Thank you. Libby, I’ll see you later.” And Evie turned to make her way slowly towards the canal path.
Chapter Six
Suzette/Evie
The next morning Napoleon, crowing just yards away from her bedroom window, startled Suzette into fitful consciousness. She’d never known such a raucous alarm clock. Like yesterday morning it took her several seconds to realise what the noise was and where she actually was.
As realisation dawned, the same jumbled, panic-stricken thoughts began to stampede through her mind. What was she doing here? She’d been stupid to leave Monaco without telling someone—Malik, anyone—what she was planning to do. If anything happened to her here nobody would know.
Malik. How had he reacted when the hotel concierge had handed him her note? The press would know all about the accident by now. She could just see the headlines in the
Nice Matin
: ‘Has a jeté too many finished accident-prone Suzette Shelby’s career?’
As for telling Libby that she was Madame Evie Patem—what had she been thinking? Why was she trying to keep her whereabouts
“I work in entertainment for the moment. I too am coming to—how you say in English—a crossroads in my life. I have to decide what to do next.”
“Where do you live?”
“Paris.”
“Well there’ll be lots of opportunities up there I expect for you,” Libby had said.
Evie had shaken her head, said, “I’m not so sure,” before changing the subject and asking Libby about Chloe and her planned career.
The rest of the evening had passed pleasantly as they’d made each other giggle with stories about their different life experiences, although Libby realised later that it was her life with Dan that had been the main subject of conversation. Not once had Evie mentioned having a partner, or a boyfriend, in her life.
Chloe’s text message to reassure her mother about her safe arrival at Helen’s had been the signal for them to finally say goodnight and go to bed.
“You have made a new friend,” Brigitte said.
“You know, I think I have,” Libby said. “Brigitte, can I talk to you about the guests who arrive next weekend? They’re regulars, aren’t they? Any tips on what they like and don’t like? They want dinner every evening.”
Brigitte laughed. “That would be the Bichets. They usually come at this time of year. You will like them. For dinner they like lots of salads and
charcuterie
, but they do not like garlic. They love chocolate desserts and they like their coffee really really strong.”
“A non-garlic-liking French family? I don’t believe it.” Libby laughed and turned as there was a gentle knock on the door.
“Hi. May I come in?” Evie said.
“
Bonjour
, Madame Patem,” Brigitte said politely.
“
Bonjour
,” Evie answered.
“How’s your arm?” Libby asked.
“Still painful but better. The pharmacy gave me some ointment to help bring the bruising out. Suggested a sling but—” Evie shrugged “—I prefer not. My ankle being strapped is enough. This is nice. You have guests coming in here?”
Libby shook her head. “No. I’m going to keep it for when family and friends visit and the auberge is full. Chloe has a bedroom in my apartment so I’m not expecting this gîte to be used that much.” She looked at the expensive camera Evie had hanging around her neck. “You’re obviously a keen photographer—I wouldn’t know where to start with a camera that complicated. Has to be a simple point and click for me!”
Evie smiled. “It’s easy really. I’m going to sit on the bench alongside the canal to take some photos. I saw a beautiful heron earlier. I would love to capture a picture of him.”
“Before you go, Madame Patem, Libby is coming for lunch with Bruno and me on Thursday—perhaps you would care to join us?” Brigitte smiled at Evie.
“That is very kind of you. I’d love to. And, please, call me Evie. Thank you. Libby, I’ll see you later.” And Evie turned to make her way slowly towards the canal path.
Chapter Six
Suzette/Evie
The next morning Napoleon, crowing just yards away from her bedroom window, startled Suzette into fitful consciousness. She’d never known such a raucous alarm clock. Like yesterday morning it took her several seconds to realise what the noise was and where she actually was.
As realisation dawned, the same jumbled, panic-stricken thoughts began to stampede through her mind. What was she doing here? She’d been stupid to leave Monaco without telling someone—Malik, anyone—what she was planning to do. If anything happened to her here nobody would know.
Malik. How had he reacted when the hotel concierge had handed him her note? The press would know all about the accident by now. She could just see the headlines in the
Nice Matin
: ‘Has a jeté too many finished accident-prone Suzette Shelby’s career?’
As for telling Libby that she was Madame Evie Patem—what had she been thinking? Why was she trying to keep her whereabouts
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