‘You’re not even going to fight to see Cindy then?’ Leo asked.
Anna bit her lip. ‘No.’
‘I know I’ve been saying leave the past behind but all the same I can’t help feeling you should try just once more to get Teddy to listen to the truth,’ Leo said. ‘Then you will at least know you’ve done all you could to do the right thing as far as your Jean-Philippe is concerned.’
Leo placed his coffee cup on the table and took Anna’s from her before taking hold of her hands. ‘I love you and know the kind of person you are – caring, kind and compassionate. Teddy has this picture of you as the hard-hearted woman who didn’t care about him from the beginning. A picture I know is simply not true,’ Leo paused. ‘Verity is clearly on your side. Go and see her. Get her to talk to Teddy. I think he should at least be presented with the evidence that the fault was not all on your side. I can’t bear the thought of anybody thinking so badly of the woman I love.’
‘Leo, you didn’t see the look in Teddy’s eyes when he told me he didn’t have a mother. He didn’t need to tell me how much he hates me – it was all there in his expression.’ Anna was silent for several seconds before adding. ‘I don’t think there is anyway through that kind of anger. And I don’t think I have the courage to even try.’
Just then the entrance phone for the villa gate buzzed. Leo answered it, turning to look at Anna, before he pressed the button to open the gate and replaced the phone.
‘It’s Verity. She wants to talk to you.’
‘I can’t see her now. I’m going to take a shower and get dressed,’ Anna said. ‘I’m sorry. You’ll have to talk to her. Get rid of her,’ and Anna ran into the villa leaving Leo to deal with their unexpected visitor.
Upstairs Anna took her time, soaking in the bath rather than having a shower, deciding what to wear and then applying her makeup. It was nearly an hour before she went back downstairs, relieved not to hear voices.
‘Leo darling I’m sorry I took so long,’ she said walking out through the kitchen to the terrace. ‘But I’m ready now. Where shall we go …’ her voice trailed away as she saw Verity sitting with Leo. She turned to go back indoors.
‘Anna, listen to what Verity has come to say,’ Leo said standing up. ‘I’ll leave you two alone to talk.’
‘Leo, please stay,’ Anna said moving across to hold his hand before turning to face Verity. ‘Do I call you Verity or Felicity? Did Teddy send you?’
‘Most people these days call me Verity and, no,’ Verity shook her head, ‘Teddy didn’t send me. He doesn’t know I’m here. In fact he’s told me that I’m to sever all contact with you.’
‘So, why are you here?’ Anna asked.
‘Because I like you, Cindy likes you and I know if he’d only give himself the chance to get to know you, Teddy would come to like you too.’
‘He told you about our meeting in the cottage last night? Told you what he said? How he made it clear that he wanted nothing to do with me when I told him who I was.’
Verity nodded. ‘He told me. He’s also saying knowing his father’s family will be enough. But I know it won’t. Deep down he’s desperate to know the whole truth about his past, to know what both his parents were like, to see any family likenesses that have come down through the generations. To know who he truly is.’
Anna gave a wry smile. ‘That desire certainly wasn’t showing last night. Anyway, how do you propose getting him to change his mind about me?’
Verity shook her head. ‘Not me. You. I want you to talk to him.’
‘No.’
‘Meet him on Saturday morning and tell him your side of the story,’ Verity pleaded. ‘He’ll be at the villa alone – Nat is taking Cindy out and I’ve promised myself some last minute retail therapy in the rue d’Antibes. You can explain things. I’m sure he’ll respond.’
‘No,’ Anna repeated.
‘Anna,’ Leo said. ‘Don’t you think …’
Anna shook her head. ‘What part of the word “no” do neither of you understand? Teddy would only be meeting me under sufferance and I, the guilty one, and make no mistake I am as guilty in my own eyes as I am in his, would have to try to convince him to listen. And then, to forgive me for something I find as unforgivable as he does.’
Both Verity and Leo looked at her in silence.
‘Sorry, but I’ve finally made up my mind to let the past go and to make the most of the present and the future. Of course I would like nothing more than to get to know Teddy and I long to tell Cindy I am her grandmother. But I can’t inflict a grandmother on her who her father detests. It would do nothing but create tension between them, and I’d hate to be the cause of that. I’ve caused enough unhappiness as it is.’
‘Please Anna,’ Verity pleaded. ‘Try again with Teddy. I know he will eventually respond. As for Cindy, she already adores you.’
Anna shook her head. ‘No. Any approach now has to come from Teddy. He has to be ready to listen. But I will make you a promise. If at any time in the future Teddy decides to contact me, I will see him and answer his questions. So I suggest you use your powers of persuasion on him if you really want to help.’
Verity sighed. ‘I intend to. Maybe when we’re living in England he’ll listen to sense.’ She glanced at Anna. ‘Are we still going to meet up occasionally? Have lunch?’
‘I’d like too,’ Anna said. ‘But I’m not sure it would be wise. A complete break might be better. Besides, I thought Teddy had told you to sever all contact with me?’
‘We don’t have to tell him do we?’ Verity said with a smile. ‘Anyway in a few months’ time things might have changed. He could want us all to be one big happy family.’
‘In my dreams,’ Anna said softly. ‘In my dreams.’
CHAPTER 22
Saturday morning and Daisy was in the kitchen ready to take Tom to see the whales with Cindy and Nat.
‘Tom will be about five minutes,’ Poppy said. ‘Time for a coffee. Where are you meeting Nat and Cindy?’
‘Outside the station,’ Daisy replied. ‘Just got time to check my e-mails then and talk to you about … Oh, I’ve got one from Ben.’
‘And?’ Poppy said.
‘Not happy,’ Daisy said. ‘Thinks I’m punishing him for leaving. Wants to talk. Promises to make things up to me.’
‘Seems he didn’t get the message then.’
‘He’ll get this one,’ Daisy muttered typing furiously. ‘Ben, you are wasting your time. I am NOT, repeat NOT going to marry you. I’m not punishing you for leaving me but I’ve moved on – met someone else, someone special and I’m making plans for my future – without you. I honestly wish you all the best. Have a good life but I’m sorry, I won’t be in it.’
‘Well that’s told him,’ Poppy said, reading over her shoulder.
Daisy pressed send and shut down her e-mail programme. Surely that would be the end of things with Ben. She couldn’t spell it out any clearer could she?
‘I just hope he gets the message this time,’ Daisy said.
‘So what are these plans you’re making?’ Poppy asked.
Daisy glanced at her sister. ‘Poppy, I need to talk to you about—’
‘Have I got time for some toast?’ Tom asked, running into the kitchen. ‘I’m starving.’
‘If you’re quick. We’ve only got a few minutes before we have to leave,’ Daisy said.
A shadow passed by the window and Anna appeared in the doorway.
‘Good morning, Anna. Coffee?’ Poppy offered, holding up the cafetière.
‘No thanks. I’m on my way out. I just came to say Leo and I are going over to Antibes later so please don’t worry if there’s no sign of life in the villa.’
‘We’re going to Antibes too,’ Tom said through a mouthful of toast. ‘For Cindy’s birthday treat. We’re going on the train to see the whales.’
‘I’m sure you and Cindy will have lots of fun,’ Anna said. ‘Come and tell me all about the whales tomorrow.’
‘C
an I come for a swim as well?’ Tom asked.
‘Yes of course. Now I’d better get going otherwise my meeting in Cannes will overrun and Leo will be cross with me. Have fun,’ Anna said as she left.
‘She looks a bit better today,’ Poppy said. ‘Thought she looked dreadful when I saw her yesterday.’
‘Wonder if there have been any developments with Verity and Teddy,’ Daisy said. ‘Maybe Nat will have some news.’ She closed her laptop and stood up. ‘Right Tom, time we were going.’
‘Hey, what were you going to tell me?’ Poppy said.
‘Talk later, sis. No time now. Come on, Tom we’d better run if we’re not going to be late.’
Nat and Cindy were waiting for them in front of Cannes station and an hour later they were all finding their seats in the terracing that surrounded the whale enclosure, waiting for the display to begin. Tom and Cindy were soon excitedly involved with some of the pirates who were encouraging the audience to get into the spirit of the show to come.
‘Any news on the long lost son saga?’ Daisy asked Nat when she was sure the children were engrossed in the pirate game.
‘Heated arguments in the main. Apparently Teddy came face to face with Anna the other evening at some party or other and walked out on her. Verity has spent the last two days trying to persuade him to make contact and learn the truth.’
‘Does …’ Daisy indicated her head at Cindy, ‘know what’s going on?’
‘No.’ Nat said. ‘She knows Teddy is upset over something but has no idea what it is. One of the arguments was over Teddy insisting that Cindy had to return her necklace but Verity told him that was a definite no-no for Cindy’s sake. She hasn’t taken it off once yet, she loves it. She simply wouldn’t understand why she couldn’t keep it. Oh look, the show is about to begin – here come the whales.’
Hours later when they’d seen not only the whales, but dolphins and sea lions performing, watched the baby penguins being fed and Nat had treated them all to lunch, they began to make their way to the exit.
Passing a souvenir shop Cindy said, ‘Can we go in there? I want to buy Anna a present.’
Daisy and Nat looked at each other startled, before Nat said, ‘Sure, why not? Let’s go.’
Once inside the shop Cindy, with Tom’s help, decided that Anna would love a whale in a snow scene globe and happily stood in the queue with Daisy to pay for it.
‘I love my necklace Anna gave me and will never, ever, ever, forget her,’ Cindy said, looking up at Daisy. ‘D’you think she’ll remember me for always and always?’
‘Oh Cindy love, I’m sure Anna will always remember you. And every time she shakes the globe she’ll think about you,’ Daisy said, touched by the little girl’s obvious sincerity and wondering whether Nat was right when he said Cindy had no idea what her parents were arguing about.
Poppy was in the kitchen when they got back to the cottage late that afternoon. ‘Hi guys. How were the whales?’
‘They were brilliant, Mum,’ Tom said. ‘I bought a poster for my room and a pot of sweets for you. Look, there’s a picture of a whale on it too.’
‘Thank you,’ Poppy said.
‘Can I go and see Anna, please?’ Cindy said. ‘I want to give her the present I’ve got her.’
‘Oh Cindy love, she’s not in,’ Poppy said. ‘Perhaps she’ll be back before you leave. If not, you can always leave the present here and I’ll give it to her for you.’
Cindy shook her head vigorously. ‘No thank you. I want to give it to her myself.’
‘Tom, why don’t you and Cindy help yourselves to a couple of biscuits and go watch a DVD while I get you something to eat. You will stay for tea, won’t you?’ Poppy said turning to Nat.
Nat glanced at his watch. ‘Can’t stay too long. Verity and Teddy are expecting us back. And looking at the black clouds that have followed us home, I think it might rain soon and we haven’t got coats with us.’
As the children disappeared to watch a movie, Daisy smiled at Nat. ‘I think as birthday treats go, today was a good one for Cindy.’
Nat’s mobile buzzed before he could answer. ‘Hi Teddy. No, we’re actually at Tom’s about to have tea.’ He was quiet as he listened to Teddy. ‘But she’s not here anyway,’ he said, before falling silent again. ‘OK. Twenty minutes then.’ He closed the phone before saying, ‘Poppy I’m really sorry, but we have to go. Teddy is furious. Apparently he told Verity to make sure Cindy stayed away from here – something she forget to mention to me. He doesn’t want Cindy having any more contact with Anna before we all leave on Monday.’
‘How unkind,’ Daisy said. ‘Cindy adores Anna. They seem to have forged a bond without even knowing about the special relationship they share.’
‘I know,’ Nat said. ‘But Teddy is adamant that their friendship is to stop. I’ll just go and get Cindy.’
Daisy and Poppy looked at each other. ‘Poor Anna,’ they said simultaneously. ‘And poor Cindy not being allowed to know her own grandmother,’ Daisy added.
‘I’m still astonished at that turn of events,’ Poppy said.
‘Where are the children watching the DVD?’ Nat asked, returning to the kitchen. ‘They’re not in the sitting room. Tom’s bedroom?’
Poppy shook her head. ‘No. He doesn’t have a TV up there.’
She went out into the hallway. ‘Tom! Cindy!’ she called. ‘Where are you?’ A clap of thunder was the only response.
Daisy ran upstairs to look. ‘No sign of them up there,’ she said.
‘Tom! I’m getting cross. Wherever you’re hiding, please come out, NOW. Nat and Cindy have to go home,’ Poppy shouted.
‘Could they have gone across to the villa without us seeing?’ Nat asked. ‘Hoping that Anna was in after all?’
‘If they’d gone out through the boot room, yes,’ Poppy answered running towards the back of the cottage. ‘This door is usually locked,’ she said, staring at the open door swinging in the wind that had arrived with the thunder and the rain that was now bucketing down.
‘Right,’ Nat said. ‘I’ll go out this way and check the villa.’
‘Here, take this,’ Daisy said, grabbing a waterproof jacket from a hook. ‘You’ll get soaked otherwise.’
‘Even if they have gone across to the villa, they can’t be inside,’ Poppy said. ‘Anna and Leo are meticulous about locking up the place when they go out.’
‘I’ll still take a look,’ Nat said and dashed off into the rain.
Together Daisy and Poppy began a thorough search of the cottage. While Daisy searched cupboards, opened wardrobe doors and looked under beds, Poppy braved the small cellar rooms with their large spiders among the electric fuse boxes and discarded suitcases.
‘Any sign?’ Daisy asked, brushing a cobweb out of her sister’s hair as they met up back in the hallway.
Poppy shook her head. ‘I don’t know what’s got into Tom. He normally tells me where he’s going to play. Oh good,’ she said glancing out of the window. ‘Anna and Leo are back. Nat’s talking to them and they’re going into the villa. Quick, let’s go over. Oh dear,’ said Poppy, stopping in her tracks. ‘Look who’s just arrived. Teddy Wickham. I wonder how he’s going to react to the news his daughter is missing.’
CHAPTER 23
Anna barely registered the fact that Teddy had arrived, as Nat told her Cindy and Tom were missing. Together with Poppy she started to search the villa room by room, calling out the children’s names. ‘Cindy! Tom! Please come out, if you’re here.’
In the kitchen Leo, ever practical, took charge. ‘Right. You’ve established they’re not in the cottage. Anna and Poppy are checking upstairs here. Have you checked the garden? Tool-shed, that kind of thing.’
‘No tool shed or anything,’ Daisy said. ‘Just shrubs, the loggia and … and the treehouse! I bet that’s where they are,’ and Daisy ran out into the garden, closely followed by Teddy, Nat and Leo. A crack of thunder just as she reached the foot of the tall parasol pine that the treehouse
was built in, made her jump.
‘Tom! Cindy! Please come down now,’ Daisy shouted. ‘The storm is getting closer. It’s not safe for you to be up there.’ The wind whipped her words away. ‘They’re definitely up there,’ she said as the three men joined her. ‘See, they’ve pulled the rope ladder up behind them. She stared up at the tree house. ‘I don’t think they can have heard me.’
‘Cindy!’ Teddy shouted. ‘Come down at once.’ When there was no response he turned on Nat angrily. ‘What on earth were you thinking of, Nat, letting them go up a tree in the middle of a thunderstorm?’
‘It’s not Nat’s fault,’ Poppy said, as she and Anna joined everyone under the tree. ‘We all thought they were in the sitting room watching a DVD. I have no idea why they decided to come out here.’
‘Well I hope you have an idea of how to get them down now,’ Teddy said. ‘Do you have a ladder somewhere? Or do we have to call the pompiers?’
Anna moved close to the base of the tree.
‘Cindy! Tom!’ she shouted as loudly as she could. ‘Please come down. We know you’re up there. I promise you’re not in trouble. We just want to get you indoors safe. Away from this storm.’
Everybody stared upwards, praying for a response from the children but just as Anna said, ‘I think we’re going to have to find a ladder,’ Tom appeared at the front of the tree house and everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief.
‘Mum, I’m sorry.’
‘Just throw the ladder over, Tom and climb down,’ Poppy said. ‘Cindy is up there with you, isn’t she?’
Tom nodded and pushed the rope ladder over the edge. ‘Mum, Cindy climbed up all right but the thunderstorm’s frightened her and she says she can’t climb down.’
‘OK Tom. Well, you come down and one of us will go up for Cindy.’
Once Tom was safely down, Nat went to climb up for Cindy, but Teddy took the rope ladder out of his hands. ‘No Nat. I’ll go. You hold it steady for me,’ and Teddy swiftly climbed up into the treehouse to rescue his daughter. Several minutes passed before he reappeared with Cindy, her face blotched and red from crying, clutching his hand as they prepared to descend.
Rendezvous in Cannes Page 15