‘Which you can do from anywhere in the world.’ Nat said thoughtfully.
‘True but first I’ll need to do some serious networking to let people know I’m available. Poppy’s already agreed I can have the cottage while I look around for something down here.’
‘A new start in all sorts of ways,’ Nat said. ‘Exciting.’
‘Yep,’ Daisy said, deciding not to mention the other event in her day, Ben’s marriage proposal. She’d tell him later of course, when they could laugh about it together.
‘Cindy, Tom, I’m going to make you chocolate milkshakes. OK?’
Half an hour later the children finished their tea and Nat pushed his chair back. ‘Time to go, Cindy,’ he said.
As they said their goodbyes and untied Cindy’s balloon, Anna walked through the villa garden towards the cottage.
‘Hello Tom and Cindy. Love your balloons.’
‘Are you having balloons for your party?’ Cindy asked.
‘No, we completely forgot about ordering balloons,’ Anna said.
‘That’s sad,’ Cindy said. ‘You can borrow mine if you like.’ she offered holding it out to Anna. ‘Not to keep. Just for your party.’
‘Thank you Cindy. That’s very kind of you,’ Anna said. ‘It’s your birthday tomorrow isn’t it?’ she asked. ‘You’ll need your balloon for your tea party then, so better take it home with you now.’
‘Okay,’ Cindy said. ‘Is my mummy coming to your party?’
‘She’s welcome to come but I expect she’s busy with Festival things. I think Nat’s coming,’ Anna said, glancing across at him.
‘Mummy’s not busy. I heard her telling Daddy she didn’t have anything to do tonight.’
‘Well you tell her if she wants to come with Nat, she’ll be very welcome,’ Anna said. ‘It would be nice to meet her.’
‘Come on Cindy, let’s go,’ Nat said. ‘I’ll see you all later.’
‘Bye Cindy, have a lovely birthday tomorrow. Such a sweet little girl.’ Anna said before turning to Poppy.
‘Leo suggests about quarter to nine for the champagne and cake. Everyone should be here by then and afterwards we can just party.’
‘OK, Daisy and I will bring it out then,’ Poppy said. ‘And now we’d all better think about getting ready.’
The sun had set over the Esterel mountains to the right of the villa as Daisy lit the floating candles and pushed them out on to the still water of the swimming-pool. Poppy was lighting the extra torch candles in their bamboo holders she’d placed on the driveway and Leo was dealing with the lantern candles around the villa. The gentle strains of a Cole Porter song as the pianist began his warm-up medley were drifting around the garden competing with the noise of the resident frogs.
Anna, in the kitchen to collect a tray of glasses, watched all the last minute activity and smiled to herself. The villa garden in the twilight with all the candles was looking romantic. She knew Leo was looking forward to announcing their engagement later. Despite the uncertainty shrouding her past, life at this moment was good and promising to get even better with Leo at her side permanently from now on. The future was what truly mattered, not the secrets of the past.
‘I think we should make a toast to Poppy and Daisy,’ Anna said as Leo handed her a glass of champagne a few moments later. ‘You’ve both worked so hard. Everything looks wonderful. Thank you. Oh, here comes Rick,’ she said, turning to greet her business partner.
‘And Marcus has arrived too,’ Daisy said. ‘With a friend. Excuse me a moment,’ and she made her way over to Marcus as his blonde companion went to look at the buffet table.
‘What’s she doing here? Anna didn’t invite her.’
‘Everybody gate crashes parties down here. You should have security on the gates checking tickets if you want to avoid unwanted guests.’
‘It’s not that sort of party,’ Daisy said. ‘And you’re not a guest – you’re the official photographer.’
‘So, she’s my assistant.’ Marcus shrugged.
‘Go and take some photos then and make sure your “assistant” doesn’t get in the way,’ Daisy said. ‘I’m going to go and apologize to Anna about your uninvited guest.’
Several other people arrived at that moment and Daisy, seeing Anna busy making introductions, decided to leave her apology until later making her way instead over to Poppy who was counting glasses on a side table near the buffet.
‘I hope we don’t run out of glasses,’ Poppy said. ‘D’you think everyone is here yet?’
‘Anna said she expected about forty, didn’t she?’ Daisy said, looking around and trying to do a rough head count. ‘So, yes, I think most people are here. Nat isn’t though. Hope he gets here before the food disappears.’ And Daisy helped herself to a plate of appetisers from the buffet.
‘Seen any one famous yet?’ she asked, offering Poppy a smoked salmon blini. ‘Try one. I know the cook. They’re delicious.’
‘Thanks. No, don’t recognize a single face. No, I lie,’ Poppy said. ‘The handsome man who’s just arrived with a blonde and another man, looks very much like your Nat. Don’t know who the couple are though.’
Daisy turned to look down the driveway. ‘Poppy, how can you not recognize Verity Raymond? Cindy obviously told her what Anna said about her being welcome to come. And the guy is Bruno. A big shot down here in film world on the money side of things.’
The two watched as Anna greeted Bruno like an old friend and then welcomed Verity to the party, before introducing them both to Leo.
‘That’s interesting,’ Daisy said quietly. ‘Bruno was a great friend of Philippe Cambone. I wonder if Anna knew him as well back in the past. I must ask her.’
Poppy looked at her sister anxiously. ‘Please, don’t start asking questions tonight. Let Anna enjoy her engagement party. I think the last few days have been very hard on her for some reason. She’s been very subdued every time I’ve seen her.’
‘Poppy, what d’you take me for? Of course I won’t bother Anna tonight. Might have a word with Bruno though,’ Daisy said mischievously, ignoring Poppy’s sharp intake of breath and smiling at Nat making his way towards them.
‘Nat. You’re late. Everything OK?’ Daisy asked as Nat hugged and kissed her.
‘Think so. Verity and Teddy had a major fallout earlier. That’s why we’re late. To be honest, I’m surprised Verity still wanted to come but she said she needed to get out of the villa. And she wanted to meet Anna. Thanks,’ he said, accepting a glass of champagne from a passing waitress.
‘Love your headband. Very flapperish. You look lovely,’ he said gently kissing Daisy again and placing an arm around her shoulder. ‘Dance with me later?’
‘Of course. Not sure I’m up to the Charleston though,’ Daisy said, watching a couple by the pool giving it their best as the pianist romped through ‘Aint She Sweet’. ‘It always looks so complicated to me. All that leg swinging and knee holding.’
‘Don’t worry. It’s one of the few dances I can do.’ Nat said. ‘In fact I’m a bit of an expert. My gran was a great rag-time dancer and taught me everything she knew.’
‘Daisy, I think Leo is about to make the announcement,’ Poppy interrupted. ‘We’d better get the cake and have the extra champagne at the ready.’
‘Back in five,’ Daisy said, handing Nat her champagne glass. ‘Ready for the toast.’
‘I’ll keep this short,’ Leo said, calling for everyone’s attention. ‘Some of you know already that this isn’t just another Festival de Cannes party but for those of you who are unaware, we have two reasons for celebration tonight. Future Promises was well received at the festival and we raise our glasses to Helen and Rupert – stars of the future.’
He paused as Helen and Rupert acknowledged the cheers and the applause. ‘The other, personal, reason for celebration,’ Leo continued, ‘is that Anna has done me the honour of agreeing to become my wife.’
As everyone shouted congratulations and Daisy carried the cake out wi
th its sparkling candle, Leo took Anna into his arms. ‘All I want to say Anna my darling, is that I love you and will do my utmost to make you happy for the rest of our lives.’
The gentle strains of ‘Come Fly With Me’ floated on the evening air as the happy couple swayed gently together and everyone raised their glasses. ‘Anna and Leo.’
CHAPTER 17
An hour or so later when the party was in full swing, and Leo and Rick were deep in discussion about the woes of both the publishing and film worlds, Anna slipped away for a few moments by herself.
So many people here wishing her and Leo well; some she knew as friends, others she knew as business acquaintances, others she had no idea who they were. She could see Bruno on the terrace standing apart from everyone and taking a call on his mobile. She hoped she’d get the opportunity to talk to him before the evening finished. See if he had any idea what Philippe had written in his will before she went to the lawyers tomorrow.
There was somebody sitting on the upholstered swing seat hidden away in a quiet corner at the top of the garden. Not wanting company, Anna was about to turn and leave when she heard the sound of sobbing. Moving closer she asked quietly. ‘Are you all right? Can I help? Or would you rather be left alone?’
The tear-stained face that Verity Raymond turned towards her made her hurry forward, and sitting alongside her she gently placed an arm around Verity’s shoulders and waited for the younger woman to compose herself.
‘Teddy is furious with me,’ Verity said struggling to control her sobs. ‘He thought I’d given up on something, but today when I told him some exciting news, he realized I hadn’t. He’s even accused me of trying to get my own way by deceit and going behind his back. He was still on about it this evening and we had another major row.’ Verity wiped her face with the back of her hand.
‘All I want is for him to be happy and for us to have another baby. He adores Cindy and I’m sure he’d feel the same about another child but now he just refuses to discuss it.’
‘Cindy is a delightful child,’ Anna said. ‘You must be so proud of her.’
‘Yes. I am. But I do worry that she is being spoilt as an only child. I had been hoping she would have some brothers or sisters before now but,’ Verity shook her head. ‘Anyway, I mustn’t bore you with my personal problems. What are you doing up here? It’s your party going on down there. You should be down there living it up.’
‘Oh I just needed some time out,’ Anna said. ‘You know how it is.’
Verity nodded her agreement. ‘Maybe this is the wrong moment but I was hoping to talk to you sometime about your new film project. Would there be a part for me in the film?’
Anna looked at her astonished. ‘But it’s a period drama. Not your sort of thing surely?’
‘My very first role in rep was Rosalie the maid in Lady Windermere’s Fan. I’ve had a soft spot for costume drama ever since. The contemporary stuff I do now is great fun but I’d love a chance to wear long skirts for a change!’
‘Well, I’ll tell the casting director about your interest but I can’t promise anything,’ Anna said. ‘You know shooting is going to start this autumn in the UK? Don’t you live in the States these days?’
‘We’re buying a place near my parents in Gloucestershire. Cindy needs to be settled in school for the next few years,’ Verity said. ‘At least Teddy and I are agreed on that, and that it will be in England.’
‘Well, when you’re settled in Gloucestershire we’ll meet up. I’m, well Leo actually, is quite close, in the Cotswolds, and when we’re married I’ll be moving there. You must come for lunch and we’ll get to know each other properly.’
‘I’d like that. Thank you Anna.’
‘Ah, this is where you’re hiding,’ Leo said, suddenly appearing at the top of the path. ‘Anna darling, Bruno has been looking for you. He wanted to talk to you before he left. You may just catch him if you’re quick. If not, you’re to phone him tomorrow.’
‘I was hoping to have a word with him too. Excuse me, Verity. I’ll see you later.’ Anna made her way back down into the garden and on to the driveway where she could see Bruno standing by the villa gates.
‘Bruno, you’re not leaving already? Leo says you were looking for me?’
‘Yes. I have something to tell you.’
‘Something about Philippe?’
‘Jacques phoned an hour ago to tell me about the telephone conversations he’s had with Felicity Howell.’ Bruno looked at Anna before saying quietly.
‘Anna, I think I aleady know the answer to my question, but I’d really appreciate you telling me the truth yourself. Did you …’
‘Yes,’ Anna interrupted. ‘I had Philippe Cambone’s baby. I named him Jean-Philippe. And then I gave him away.’
‘I thought so,’ Bruno said. ‘Oh Anna. I don’t know what to say.’
‘Nothing to say,’ Anna said quietly. ‘Other than for me to say I’m sorry Philippe never got a chance to meet his son.’
‘Yes, he would have welcomed that,’ Bruno said. ‘Jacques has also been putting two and two together by the way. He asked Felicity if she knew the name of her husband’s mother. She said yes, it was on the copy of the original birth certificate they’d managed to obtain, but that it was proving impossible to trace her.’
Bruno glanced at Anna. ‘Rightly or wrongly, when she told him the name, Jacques said he knew a woman with that name and that she was in town for the festival. Felicity immediately begged him to arrange a private meeting for her and her husband.’
Anna gasped. ‘What did Jacques say?’
‘That it wasn’t his decision but he would see if he could arrange a meeting. He’s asked me to talk to you first because it’s not as straightforward as it seems,’ Bruno paused.
‘Her husband has had second thoughts about this whole business of tracing his roots. Because Philippe died before they could meet up he has decided not to continue the search for his mother.’ Bruno was silent for a moment. ‘Basically because he’s very bitter about the fact that she gave him up. So even if you agree to a meeting, there’s no guarantee that he will come. It could turn out to be just you and this Felicity Howell.’
‘Is her husband in town for the festival too? Do we know what he does?’ Anna asked.
‘Yes he’s in town. And he has some sort of connection with the film industry. Felicity was vague on the subject – deliberately, Jacques felt. Will you let Jacques arrange a meeting?’
‘I don’t know,’ Anna said with a sigh. ‘Is there any point if my son has decided he doesn’t want to see me? Doesn’t want to have any contact because I abandoned him?’
‘But wouldn’t you like to know about his life? Learn how he’s turned out? There are all sorts of things his wife could tell you. Maybe even persuade her husband to meet after all.’
‘Have you met this Felicity woman? What is she like?’
Bruno shook his head. ‘I don’t know. Like Jacques I haven’t met her. But she sounds genuine. Jacques says she’s desperate to help her husband come to terms with his adoption. Philippe dying so close to their planned first meeting has really shaken him. He had so many questions he wanted to ask him. Questions only you can answer now. If you do meet Felicity, it might be the start of getting him to change his mind over you,’ Bruno added gently.
‘So you think I should agree to meet this woman?’
Bruno sighed. ‘Anna, it has to be your decision and yours alone. No one is going to pressurize you into doing something you’re not comfortable with.’
‘I told Leo earlier that I had to continue trying to trace Jean-Philippe. But I also promised him that I would stop beating myself up with guilt. That the future was more important to me now than the past,’ Anna said slowly. ‘To be so close to meeting Jean-Philippe, only to learn that he despises me,’ her voice trailed away. ‘I don’t think I could cope with him saying that to my face. Maybe it would be better just to leave things the way they are and get on with my life with Leo.’
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‘It’s your decision, Anna,’ Bruno said. ‘But don’t decide anything you might regret while you’re so emotional. Talk it over with Leo. Sleep on it. Give me a ring when you know what you want to do. Ah, here’s my taxi – and here’s Leo to claim his fiancée for the last dance of the party. Goodnight Anna.’
‘What did Bruno want?’
Anna, tense in Leo’s arms as they danced slowly together as the notes of ‘Begin the Beguine’ drifted around the garden, stumbled over her own feet at his question and Leo’s arms tightened around her.
‘Are you okay?’
Anna shook her head. ‘Not really. Can we find a quiet spot and talk?’
Wordlessly Leo lead her to a deserted corner of the garden out of sight of the remaining partygoers. ‘Now tell me.’
‘Felicity Howell wants to meet me, even though her husband has decided he doesn’t want to continue the search for his real mother.’
‘Why and how does this woman know about you?’ Leo demanded. ‘Did Jacques tell her who you were?’
‘No. It was only after Felicity told him the name on the birth certificate they’d seen was Lucinda Ann Carstairs, that he said he knew someone of that name, and that I was in town for the festival.’
‘But your name isn’t Lucinda Ann Carstairs so why did he say …’ Leo’s voice died away. ‘Of course. Changing your name was one of those precautions you took to ensure you disappeared wasn’t it?’
‘Yes. I did it all legally but my parents insisted that Lucinda Ann Carstairs died the day I gave Jean-Philippe up for adoption. Put the father’s name on the certificate – he can deal with it if the boy wants to trace him in the future. But you, you change yours and disappear. Those were the instructions from my parents. They couldn’t cope with the shame of a daughter who’d “gone bad”. As for acknowledging an illegitimate grandson …’ Anna was silent for a moment before continuing. ‘So, I became Anna Carson; new name, new beginning. But old memories,’ she said, biting her bottom lip and starting to shake.
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