The First Noël at the Villa des Violettes

by Patricia Sands

  “The very thought of it brings me to tears. Our dogs become vital parts of our families from the minute we bring them home. They hold such a special place in our hearts.”

  The line was silent for a moment as both women collected themselves.

  “We must stay positive and carry on, my dear Kat. No matter how difficult it is … how much we are hurting. Now, what else is happening? François told me about your letter from the mairie and that your plans can move ahead to receive guests in the new year. Félicitations! That is exciting news!”

  Katherine appreciated Joy changing the subject. The conversation flowed easily, and she was surprised to hear that both of Joy’s children and their families were going on separate winter vacations.

  “It was all last minute! Henri and Sylvie found a bargain package, so they’re going to the Caribbean en famille. When Marie and Christian heard about it, they decided to take their children skiing at Mont Blanc. It appears they’ve all wanted to go somewhere for years, but also did not want to miss our family’s fête de Noël. When they asked if I would mind, of course I said no. C’est la vie.”

  “Then you and Oncle François will be on your own?” Kat asked.

  “Well, we may invite the cousins. But it won’t be the same,” Joy answered.

  “Then you must come here!” Kat suggested. “We would be so happy to have you with us for our first fête de Noël at the Villa des Violettes. And of course Picasso must come, too.”

  “Mon Dieu! That would be wonderful! What a change, after celebrating here at the manoir for over fifty years. Imagine! You must tell me what you are planning, and I will be delighted to help however I can. Hélène can do some baking for us, too! Perhaps her famous bûche de Noël?” Joy said, referring to her longtime housekeeper/cook and general right hand who, along with her husband, Antoine, was very much part of the family.

  “I didn’t think of them. Would Hélène and Antoine join us, too?” Kat inquired.

  “Oh, Kat, that’s very considerate of you. Of course they would come if they felt their services were needed. Otherwise, they might enjoy having the holiday to themselves for a change. But I will extend your thoughtful invitation.”

  “Joy, you should have let me know! I imagined you were busy planning your traditional feasts!”

  Joy replied, “I did not want to interfere with your first Noël at the villa.”

  “It will be all the more special with you, Oncle François, and Picasso with us. This will take my mind off everything else for at least a while.”

  “D’accord!” Joy agreed.

  Joy’s enthusiasm lifted Kat’s spirits, and she promised herself she would try to focus on the positives. Now she wanted to please Joy and Oncle François, too. She knew Pico would be happy no matter what.

  And she had to believe that Rocco would be found and he would be well. If that didn’t happen, she honestly did not know if she could put on a happy face for the holidays. In the meantime, she had to forge ahead and be strong.

  They discussed plans for a few more minutes, then Joy said she would call François immediately and let him know. “I have no doubt he will find this suggestion as surprising and delightful as I do. Changement a du bon! Change is good!”

  They said their goodbyes, and Katherine stood looking out the window. Yikes! Christmas is just a week away. This is all happening quickly …

  She was not surprised that her worries about the holiday festivities had been cast aside by her concern about Rocco. Her worries about the drug cartel been pushed right off her radar.

  Priorities.

  Kat puttered around a little longer, then hung the laundry out on the line. That was still one of her favorite things to do. There was something about the crisp, clean smell of clothes having dried outside.

  Next, she walked her bike over to the stable and talked with Didier about Philippe’s wish to have one of the men cut back all the underbrush in the forested section where Rocco had disappeared.

  Soon she was on her bike, riding to Juan-les-Pins on the other side of the Cap. It was a short, fifteen-minute ride she knew by heart. Then she began to work her way back, winding through all the side streets. It was easier to see into many of the properties now. Trees and many bushes had lost their leaves. Calling Rocco’s name, she strained to hear some response. Any response. But there was none.

  21

  Back at the villa, Véronique had let herself in and was visiting with Coco and Belle in the kitchen. She rushed to put her arms around Kat, who held up her hand to stop her.

  “Attends! I’m sweaty. I’ll take a raincheck on the hug, but I appreciate the sentiment, my friend.”

  They bised instead, and Véronique commiserated. “This is just awful! David sends his love to you and feels your pain. We’ve all had pets we have loved and lost, and it’s terribly hard to deal with. That’s all there is to it.”

  Kat swallowed hard, tears threatening to spill. “Sorry, I can’t talk about it without crying. I just can’t … thank David for me.”

  Véronique patted Kat’s back.

  Kat cleared her throat. “Make yourself comfortable, and I’ll be ready in a jiffy.”

  “Great! I feel like Lebanese for lunch! How about you?”

  “Sounds good,” Kat called over her shoulder as she headed down the hall. “We should drive over. Philippe and Gilles will be here around two, and I should make sure to be back by then.”

  Over lunch, Véronique was successful in turning Katherine’s thoughts elsewhere.

  “There’s a major artisans’ exhibition coming up in February, and I will be showing some of my wall hangings there,” said Véronique, who was a highly respected weaver. “Why don’t you submit some of your photography that you have hanging in Andrés’ gallery now? It would be a great opportunity to reach some new eyes. I understand your series on windows and shutters has been very popular.”

  Kat’s smile was tinged with pride. “I’ve been pleasantly surprised.”

  They made it through lunch with Kat shedding only a few tears. “I swear, Véronique, right now I don’t even feel like celebrating the holidays. I can’t focus on anything but finding Rocco.”

  Kat’s phone rang as they were driving back to the villa. It was Simone, asking Kat to come by. The tone of her voice was urgent. “I have some important information to share.”

  “What do you suppose that’s all about?” Véronique asked.

  “We’ll soon find out. Why don’t you come in with me? Simone will be pleased to see you.”

  Simone’s front door was open, and she called them into the kitchen when Kat announced their arrival. The kettle could be heard whistling on the stove.

  Kat was surprised to see Simone looking slightly disheveled. Her normally bright eyes were heavy and her hair, usually in a sleek chignon, hung down her back in a long braid.

  In no time they were seated with steaming teacups in front of them. Simone began, rather hesitantly, “I think I may have some news about Rocco … but …”

  Kat leapt to her feet. “What? Where?”

  Simone took her hand and indicated Kat should sit. “I don’t know if this is something or not. And I don’t want to raise false hopes. But we need to have Philippe check it out when he gets home.”

  “Simone! Tell us, please!”

  “Before the sun came up this morning, when the air was as still as it can be, I went down to the bottom of the garden with Victor Hugo’s help.”

  “How did you do that?” Kat asked.

  “Très attentivement! With my cane and the solid support of Victor Hugo. I held on to his mane and we went very slowly. And then I listened.”

  Kat explained to Véronique that Simone was born with an exceptional hearing acuity. This gift had served her well during the years she was part of La Résistance, listening to and interpreting radio communications amongst the Germans during the Occupation.

  Simone continued, “I took my cane that has the seat attachment. And I sat and I listened. F
rom time to time, I thought I heard sounds like whimpering coming from below us. In the rocks.”

  Trying to quell her excitement, Kat stood and paced. “Philippe and Gilles will be home soon. They can go down and investigate. In fact, I’m going to text him to come here instead of home. That way you can tell them very specifically where to go.”

  She tried not to feel too hopeful as she sent the message to Philippe.

  “Really, Simone? Vraiment? You heard a dog?” Kat could not stop asking. Her heart was thumping.

  “Chérie, I heard the sound. Was it Rocco? Was it some wind whispering through the rocks? I don’t know, but we must check. I’m embarrassed to say when I got back to the house, I promptly fell asleep and just woke up. As you can see, I called you as soon as I opened my eyes. I’m sorry it took me so long to let you know.”

  “I can’t stand waiting.” Kat looked at Véronique expectantly. “Let’s go now, and the men can catch up when they get here.”

  Simone raised her voice. “Non!” Startled by the unusual force in her tone, Kat looked at her. “There’s something else. I heard coughing. A man’s cough. There is someone down there. Of that I am certain. I want you to wait.”

  They speculated as to what Simone might have heard. Maybe it was kids fooling around. The whole scenario sounded bizarre. “I’ve never seen a space between the rocks that would accommodate a person.”

  “You and I have sat on those rocks and chatted so many times, watching the waves lap the shore and losing ourselves in that mesmerizing view,” Véronique said. “It never occurred to me that there were caves behind them. But when you stop to think about it, with the centuries of civilization in this area, why wouldn’t there be?”

  “Exactly,” Simone agreed. “You know what it is like here. Things get buried and built over, and who knows what lies beneath.” She poured them all some more tea as they waited.

  At the sound of a car on the gravel drive, Kat made a beeline for the door. Philippe and Gilles rushed in.

  “Qu’est-ce que c’est? What’s happening? Your text had such urgency to it!”

  Philippe was breathless. He pointed at Gilles. “Modi! I swear he broke all speed records!”

  “Listen to Simone,” Kat told them.

  Simone related her morning sojourn to the foot of the garden. They all were aghast that this seemingly frail woman would even consider such a thing.

  “Just because I’m old, don’t count me out!” Simone scolded. “I knew my wheels would never make it down there without tipping me over. So I slowly made my way with my trusty cane in one hand and my stalwart Victor Hugo providing support on the other side. Honnêtement, I could feel he knew how important his role was. He was so sturdy and steady.”

  “But you could have seriously hurt yourself.”

  “Why are you worrying about something that has already happened, and without mishap?” Simone asked. “Pas grave! Let’s move on to the important details. I thought I heard a dog whimper, but it might have been wind. But—wait for it—I am certain I heard a man coughing.”

  Philippe and Gilles looked at each other. “Allons.”

  “Wait,” Kat said. “Véronique and I are going, too.”

  Simone handed Kat a basket with a blanket in it. “Take this. You may need it.”

  “En voiture! Everybody in my car,” Philippe said as they headed to the door.

  “I’m going, too,” Simone announced, to everyone’s surprise. “You might need me and my ears to find the spot.”

  Kat knew there was no point in arguing with her.

  “Bring Coco too. That may help!” Simone suggested as Philippe and Gilles each took an arm and escorted her to the car.

  Véronique said, “Let’s take my car and go next door for Coco, Kat. It’s bigger than yours, and we may need it.”

  22

  To get to the front of the property, they turned left down the hill that led to the road that bordered the sea. On one side of the road, a rocky outcropping jutted into the water, creating a rugged but protected harbor. Across from that, at the foot of the Dufours’ property, as well as Simone’s, enormous limestone hunks dotted with evergreen bushes spilled down to the road.

  All through spring and summer, much of that shrubbery erupted with blooms bursting in vivid color. Now the fragrant smells of stunted, wind-whipped pines mixed with the pungent scents of the garrigue—rosemary, thyme, and juniper here—filling the air with fragrant perfume.

  Kat and Coco met up with the group already gathered at the foot of the enormous rocks that tumbled below the stone walls of their properties. There was little room between them and the cars passing by on the winding road.

  Without speaking, they all quietly encircled Simone. She closed her eyes and listened intently. Then she pointed to a narrow gap in the rocks, partially hidden by shrubs. Philippe took Coco on her leash and walked toward it, calling Rocco’s name. Straining at the leash, Coco began to bark excitedly.

  There appeared to be a faint response from deep within the rocks. Gilles climbed over to the opening and called into the darkness. He was much slimmer than Philippe and began to slip down into a crevice-like opening.

  “This leads to something,” he called out. “I can hear whimpering.”

  “Fais attention!” Philippe warned as Kat called out, “Be careful!”

  Kat grabbed Philippe’s hand and sputtered. “Oh my gosh! Maybe—”

  “Let’s hope … éspérons,” he said as he worked at restraining Coco, who was now completely frantic.

  Véronique led Simone to sit in the car, as Simone murmured, “Mon Dieu! There has been more activity for me these past two days than in the entire past year.”

  Taking her hand, Véronique said, “Simone, you and your gift of hearing may have solved the mystery of Rocco’s disappearance. That will be quite amazing.”

  In the meantime, Gilles slowly lowered himself from view. Seconds later, his voice floated faintly up from deep within the rocks and then there was silence.

  Everyone called his name at the same time, until Philippe shushed them as he heard Gilles instructing them to wait.

  Minutes passed before he called urgently to Philippe, “Au secours, au secours! Aides-moi!” as his head and shoulders popped out of the opening.

  Philippe handed Coco’s leash to Kat. He scrambled up over the rocks, pushing aside bushes. Then he reached his arms down as Gilles passed him the limp body of Rocco, partially wrapped in a striped cloth.

  “That’s my sheet,” Simone gasped, as she stepped back out of the car. “Ma femme de ménage was complaining that it had gone missing from the laundry line last week. We blamed the wind. What is going on?”

  Gilles clambered out of the crevice, brushing dust from his face. Then he turned to help someone else. Everyone watched in amazement as a dark-skinned, ragged young man held on to Gilles and stumbled out, blinking in the bright sunlight.

  “He has some of my sheet wrapped around his arm!” Simone observed.

  Katherine was at Philippe’s side, stroking Rocco’s head and crying. The pup weakly responded as he looked at her through glassy eyes. Philippe and Kat swallowed back tears as Gilles said, “He is in bad shape. The big bandage on his leg covers a deep cut. But this young man has been taking care of him as best he can and treated his cut with herbs and saltwater.”

  “Why … why didn’t he bring Rocco out before? He must have heard us calling him,” Kat cried, her voice cracking with emotion.

  The young man looked at the ground, shifted uncomfortably, and did not make eye contact with anyone. He appeared ready to run off, but for his feeble condition.

  “Allez!” Gilles said. “Get to the vet’s immediately! Take my car. I will take care of things here and sort this all out.”

  He took the young man aside and spoke quietly to him.

  Confusion reigned momentarily. Then Kat and Philippe took off, with Rocco cradled in Kat’s arms, wrapped in Simone’s blanket.

  23

  V
éronique and Simone stood to one side until Gilles beckoned them to him. He introduced the teenage boy to them, who fearfully met their gaze as he trembled from head to toe.

  Gilles held the boy’s uninjured arm to support him and said, “This is Abdalla. He is from Cameroon and speaks some French and a little English. He’s a migrant who has survived a terrible journey. His papers were lost when the boat in which he was being transported capsized. He’s terrified we are going to turn him over to the police and they will send him back. He tells me he has relatives in France; if that is so, he might be able to stay. But he lost their information along with his other papers. I want to help him. What do you say?”

  Véronique pointed to his injured arm. “Should he see a doctor, too?”

  The young man shook his head vehemently. They could see how this idea traumatized him.

  After talking amongst themselves, Simone said, “Let’s go to my place and wait for Kat and Philippe to return.”

  Abdalla spoke quietly to Gilles, who turned and said, “He says there is a box in the cave he needs to get. That’s all he has. I will go back in—it’s easier for me. He’s very weak.”

  Véronique walked to the rear of her car. “I have one of those emergency bags, and it has a blanket.” She popped the trunk as Gilles led the boy to the back seat and helped him in, speaking firmly at the same time. Then Gilles turned back to the rocks.

  Véronique took the silver mylar from its thin envelope and placed it over Abdalla’s shoulders, pulling it down to cover right to his feet. He murmured, “Merci,” as his shivering continued.

  “More from fear than anything else, je t’assure,” Simone whispered to Véronique.

  The women stood by the open car door and offered quiet reassurances to Abdalla, who would not meet their gaze. Startled by a loud clunk, they turned to see that Gilles had lifted a metal container the size of a wine case from the opening in the rocks.

  He hoisted himself back out, brushing away bits of branches stuck to him. “It’s not too heavy,” he told them.