by Karen Aldous
She watched the medic wrap the dirty swab and poke it into a clean plastic bag. The wound now throbbed.
‘I’ll get some ice brought over,’ the medic said, standing and pulling out his phone from his trouser pocket and immediately began texting.
Evie let out a chuckle. ‘I’m alive, that’s all I care about. And, as long as you make sure it doesn’t happen to anyone else, I’ll leave it at that. And, somehow I must have missed the sign.’
The medic replaced his phone and unpeeled another antiseptic wipe, dabbing her skin again gently. ‘I’ll find a dressing to keep it clean but you have a nasty bruise. The ice should bring it down quicker.’
Ben sat back and rubbed his thighs. ‘Ok. So, you said you have a daughter. You called her name a few times.’
‘I’m sure I did, that’s all I could think about. My gorgeous little Charlotte. I can’t imagine life without her, she’s all I have.’ Evie gave Ben a sideways glance but felt her muscles go rigid. She shouldn’t have said that. It could invite questions. She changed tack swiftly. ‘So, what are you filming exactly?’
‘It’s the story of Pierre-Paul Riquet. The man who built the Canal du Midi. His life story and the challenges he had to overcome.’
Evie shoulders relaxed a little as she sat back in her chair. ‘Yes, makes sense. I should have guessed. Sounds fascinating! I’ll definitely be watching. He was quite the visionary. And it took a lot of money, time and expertise to get it completed. I love the fact that so many women were involved, and that the peasant women from the mountains had such an influence in the design. I hope you’ve included their story too.’
He scratched his head. ‘Well it’s more about his quest to get authorities and nobles to listen to his ideas, he had quite a battle to realise his dream. Even went against them and worked in secret.’
‘Oh, so it’s all about the men. Why are the heroes all male? I suppose that’s how you get the bulk of the viewers. Yes, Riquet should take credit for the overall initiation and the design of such a monumental achievement, but the Fonserannes Lock would never have worked without the expertise from the peasant woman. I think their inclusion would make it far more interesting.’
Ben’s eyes were suddenly distracted. ‘Ah,’ he peered up as a young woman approached the table. ‘Samantha, this is Evie.’ He stood up. ‘This is my second AD, assistant director.’
The assistant handed a package to the medic. ‘For the patient, I presume?’
‘Yes. Thank you.’
Evie immediately wondered if she and Ben were a couple. The girl was about her own age, possibly a little older, and she had the most beautiful long golden hair which spiralled down her back – almost touching her miniscule denim shorts. Samantha held out a tanned arm, offering a welcome hand.
‘Hi Evie. Gosh. That was scary. How are you?’ the assistant said, shaking her hand and immediately squatting to inspect the wound, her lips pouting one way and then another. ‘Mmm, fierce, you’ll have a nasty bruise.’
As Samantha examined her leg, Evie observed Ben. He watched his assistant step back as Carl positioned the ice. Evie blushed and reached for her glass.
‘Sam’s also our first-aider,’ Ben said. ‘She likes to mother.’
Samantha looked at Evie, ‘Take no notice, but you are trembling. Make sure you rest here for a while just to recover from the shock.’ Samantha tossed her head at Ben, rubbing her palms. ‘I can sit here with her.’
Cracking one knuckle with his other hand, his eyes glistened as he glanced from Evie to his assistant.
‘No, I’ll stay here with her and then run her home. Inform Daniel and Ravi. I think Gaz is in the van. Ask him for a form. I’ll start a report? I’m surprised he hasn’t got wind, but let him know, and can you tell the guys to break for an hour, then prepare to run through it again. They can then muck the road. Thanks. And thanks for getting here so quick.’
‘No problem.’ Samantha smiled. ‘Lovely to meet you, Evie. I hope you’ll be ok.’
Evie nodded. ‘Yep, fine. I’ll be off shortly. Bye and thank you.’
After waving her off, Evie said to the medic, ‘I can hold that ice on?’
‘It’s fine. You relax,’ he instructed, winding gauze around the ice on her leg.
‘Are you sure you won’t have another drink?’ Ben asked, ‘… Unless,’ he paused ‘would it be possible to take you out for a meal one evening?’
Again, the blood rushed to her cheeks as their eyes locked. Biting her lip, she said, ‘I’m sorry, my partner wouldn’t approve.’
‘Ah. When you said Charlotte was all you had, I obviously misunderstood but, fine, I wouldn’t want to make you uncomfortable.’
Evie met his eyes with nervous approval. The rhythm of her heart started increasing. Had he really just asked her for a date?
Chapter 2
Evie was still trembling when she climbed into the passenger seat of Ben’s 4x4, but noticed she felt weirdly invigorated. The accident must have pumped her blood so fast, she could only imagine her veins had stretched. Or was it that she was so happy to be alive? Ben placed her bike in the back before sliding in next to her wearing a comforting smile.
‘Are you ok?’
‘Yes, fine. I live in a village on the canal, do you know Colombiers?
‘Ah, mais oui! Tres beau.’ His smile flashed straight to her heart.
Maybe it was this man who was bringing her alive. He must have meant a date. What else? No one had asked her for a date since Charlotte, or since Seb at least. Although out of the question, it would be nice. Seb rarely took her out on proper dates when he bothered to come home. It would be magic to be romanced.
Those first weeks when she and Seb had met in Majorca were amazing. Seb had kept eyeing her whilst she’d served drinks at the Puro Club in Palma, joking and teasing, mainly flirting. Despite his forwardness, she’d enjoyed his attention and had found him savagely sexy. Not only that, she’d felt unbelievably special. She’d been singled out. Almost every girl in that bar wished they’d been in her shoes. He was the star, devilishly handsome, famous and, to boot, when he sang, his voice had rampantly resonated through to her soul. So it didn’t take long before she’d fallen for his easy charm and succumbed to his lair; in fact, they couldn’t keep their hands off each other. They’d spent many glorious days together, either lying idly in bed, making love, or lazing around the pool at Seb’s luxury harbour-side apartment, on the beach, or driving up to the mountains in his jeep, fine-dining on beautiful terraces. How she missed those days, missed Seb. He just wasn’t the same guy she’d met then. He’d spent time with her then. She could only hope he’d get bored with his music and come home.
She breathed out a heavy sigh and scooped back her hair.
Again Ben’s eyes met hers, his mouth curled to one side. Clasping her chest as it fluttered uncontrollably, she couldn’t believe such a small movement of the lips and eyes could create so much energy.
‘Well, before I so clumsily asked you out,’ he said, turning forward again and peering through the rear-view mirror, ‘and the reason I’d like us to talk is – I quite like your suggestion, about the peasant women, I mean. We are still in the early days of filming, and I’m wondering whether I should include a few more characters. I think it would be interesting to look at another dimension. I need to speak to the other producers. It would take more funding but you could be right.’ He turned again as she stared at him, open-mouthed.
The glint in his eyes zoomed straight into her limbs as though Tinkerbelle was sprinkling fairy dust. ‘So, are you the writer?’
‘Yes, I’m the director, one of the producers too, and did write the script. Call it my baby. It’s well supported by the funders, but now I’m questioning whether I’ve done it justice. I would be interested to hear what you know.’
She guided him to her home as he drove, her head still in a cloud of mist, and with a smile she could barely contain. He had been paying attention to what she had said and, evidently, liked i
t. At least enough to want to consider possibilities. When had anyone expressed interest in what she said?
‘Well, I don’t know your script but… oh,’ her hands joined together as if in prayer whilst her adrenaline intensified. ‘I don’t have all the details to hand, but I certainly remember reading about it. I’m sure I could source the book again.’ Evie chewed on her lip wondering where she had read it. ‘I studied journalism so I enjoy a bit of investigation.’
‘Really, that’s great. Would you consider doing some research? I’d pay you, of course.’
Hiding a smile, her hand flew to her mouth; eyes wide and fixed on his profile. The film business paid well. She was dreaming, of course she was. A gorgeous film director asking her for a date and to carry out research for his film. She must have banged her head. Wake up, wake up. She jolted herself back to the moment.
‘Oh, stop. Sorry, down this track here,’ she told him, pointing to her right, ‘and drive to the end. My house is at the bottom.’
That was a lie. It wasn’t really her house was it, it was Seb’s. For Charlotte. What did she have? What had she done for herself and her child?
Ben ruffled his curls with one hand and looked at her thoughtfully. ‘I know you’ve just had a terrific blow, but when you feel better perhaps we could chat some more.’
Evie swallowed hard. It was real! She’d barely got off the ground as a journalist before having Charlotte, so this was way over her head but… what a great opportunity, as well as a personal challenge.
‘Yes, it sounds exciting. Oh, just pull up here.’
Ben slowed and steered his large vehicle between a wall and some shrubs. ‘I’ll get the bike sorted out and returned as soon as I can. I’ll bring it back here, yes?’
‘Yes, I definitely need that. Thank you.’ Evie said as he parked at the end of the leafy track. She opened the door as the car halted in front of the gate and swung her legs out, and before she’d jumped down, Ben was there taking her hand. Stepping down, she could have been floating.
‘Here’s my card,’ he said sliding it into her hand. ‘Ring me if you are worried about anything and think you need to see a doctor. And, when you’re fit, I’d love to talk. Again, my apologies for what happened.’ His hand slid naturally to her arm, patting it gently to reassure her. Blood rushed to her cheeks and her skin shivered warmly at his touch. She stepped back, pulling away her hand, scared by her reaction.
‘No really, I should have been paying attention.’
His mouth twitched as he hesitated, then turned with a wave of his hand. ‘Take care.’
Tucking his card in her shorts pocket, Evie just managed to maintain her balance and dashed across to her neighbour Suzanne’s, unable to contain the excitement, not just at the insane bubble of film glamour this man had welcomed her into but also at seeing her daughter. Thank God she was alive. More alive than before in fact and feeling… well, just feeling!
Suzanne drew back the door with a smile. As soon as Evie stepped in, she raced to the floor by Charlotte’s side and whisked her into her arms.
‘My baby, Mummy’s back and safe. We’re together.’ She smothered the little girl’s flaxen hair and bewildered face with kisses. ‘I’m so glad to see you.’
Suzanne closed the door and rushed up behind her. ‘Whoa, what happened to you?’
Evie got to her feet, cradling Charlotte. ‘So sorry Suz. I am just crazy right now. Crazy with love for this little lady. I’m so lucky. I will explain once I get to grips with the fact that I am still here, with my daughter.’
Suzanne stood rubbing her shoulder and looking confused at her friend’s extreme animated behaviour. ‘I’ll make you a drink,’
‘You’re a sweetie. Thank you.’
‘I’m mystified.’ Suzanne blazed a quizzical frown and marched off.
Evie kissed Charlotte’s hair again and watched her friend. The only person she’d got to know since moving into Seb’s villa over two years ago was the diminutive titian-haired neighbour. They’d met when Charlotte began walking at eleven months. Suzanne and her husband Bram were Dutch. They lived in a sweet little cottage, next door but one, and they’d been converting the run-down cottage adjoining them to rent out. Bram, a local chiropractor, had often swapped his work-whites for old jeans in his spare time whilst Suzanne spent most of her Fridays and weekends cleaning holiday lets close by. Only married for two years, and not having children of her own, Suzanne took great pleasure in having Charlotte around; even looking after her once or twice. Evie was quite proud and didn’t like to put on her. Not that she ever had anywhere to go, alone. And, as Charlotte and Suzanne adored one another, she preferred it when they could all spend time together. She enjoyed having someone to talk to, particularly an adult. It was hard to admit, but her relationship with Seb wasn’t turning out to be all she’d dreamed, and when he’d texted this morning, once again letting her down, Suzanne intuitively rushed over, hearing her shriek. It was Suzanne who had insisted she go out for some fresh air this morning after seeing her upset.
Once Evie’s exhilaration subsided, she wiped tearful eyes and sat down with Charlotte on her lap. Suzanne brought her a tall glass filled with homemade lemon and ice and sat beside her, listening as Evie recounted the drama.
‘Oh my dear, now I understand,’ Suzanne reached out and embraced her. ‘You must have been so frightened.’
‘Yes. It really shook me up. Thank God I didn’t have Charlotte on the back of the bike. It was lucky for us you insisted Charlotte stay here. I was so angry with Seb. You must have suspected how upset I was.’ Evie pinched her nose with embarrassment.
Sitting back and taking Evie’s hand, Suzanne looked concerned. ‘I could hear he had got to you.’
Charlotte pointed to the floor. ‘Baby.’
Suzanne crouched to the floor, picked up Charlotte’s dolly from the floor and placed it in her hands. A gleeful chuckle spread across the little girl’s face as she squeezed it to her chest.
‘You hide it so well, Evie. I’m so glad I’ve never met your partner. I don’t think we could ever be friends. He is so inconsiderate leaving you so long alone.’
Evie sighed, rolling eyes at herself for displaying her disappointment to Suzanne earlier. Suzanne was her friend, the last thing she needed was her to become involved in her and Seb’s relationship. If she discovered who Seb was, Suzanne could be tempted to go to the press. That side of their relationship had never been put to the test.
Back home, Evie lowered Charlotte gently down in her cot for her nap and swiped a warm kiss on her daughter’s pink cheek. She covered her with a light cotton sheet then, yawning, opened a window to let in the breeze and slumped into what she affectionately named the nursing chair. She slid her legs onto the footstall. It always reminded her of an old person’s chair, high-backed with wings but comfy nonetheless. Intent on just watching her infant, within seconds her eyes drooped. The cage – as she’d aptly named the house, even before Seb installed metal bars at the numerous blue-shuttered windows – for once felt refreshingly welcome, although it still never felt like home. It lacked that family vibe. In the early days here, Evie had imagined they would be more like a family by now, spending more time together, but it became less. She’d also hoped that her family would have accepted Seb by now, but that divide was wide enough to require a suspension bridge to cross it. She rarely imagined this beautiful villa as a refuge, but after today’s events she felt overwhelmingly grateful to be here safe, and with Charlotte out of danger. But then fear whipped its tail in her face. What if she had been killed, who would look after Charlotte?
Seb was the natural candidate but often so far from home. She decided she would have to discuss an emergency strategy with him and ensure somebody had Seb’s contact details. Seb led a parallel existence touring the world, singing and partying, it was likely he would probably hire some inadequate nanny. She shivered at the idea. But who else? Even if she hadn’t been killed, she could have been seriously injured, which could
mean Seb would leave her with a nurse. She wondered if he would even bother to contact her family. Apart from a highly stressful visit on Charlotte’s first birthday, her parents and sister had all but disowned her because they found him vile. Maybe they had been right about Seb all along. Maybe he was just keeping her sweet. No, Seb did care. He was just busy. Vulnerability crawled into her skin. She would have to have some sort of emergency strategy, just in case. Maybe Suzanne was best placed to deal with any emergencies close to home.
Chapter 3
Evie must have dozed off because the next thing she knew she was being woken by her phone buzzing. She reached for her rucksack, snatched her phone from the pocket and dashed to the landing expecting it to be Seb, ringing up and apologising for this morning. She pressed the button and made her way down the stairs.
‘Hello,’ she said in a cheerless tone.’
‘Evie, how are you, and Charlotte?’ Cally’s voice blasted into her ear.
Mirroring the upbeat sound, she said. ‘Erm, very well, thank you. This is a surprise Cally. Unusual to hear from my big sister.’ Evie couldn’t believe the lively pitch of her own voice. Cally and she weren’t at all close. Quite the opposite in fact. There must be something wrong, she concluded. Something has happened to make her call.
‘That’s so lovely to hear. I’ve been meaning to call you for about a month,’ her sister continued. ‘It’s been chaotic. I wondered if you’d mind me coming over to see you both. And of course, it’s Charlotte’s second birthday next week.’
Evie felt her heart swell. At least she remembered. ‘Well,’ she coughed, still swallowing the surprise, ‘we haven’t seen you for such a long time. Yes. It would be nice to see you again.’
Cally took a paused breath. ‘Are you sure? Only I know I’ve been a bit harsh on you.’
A tinge of suspicion rose in Evie’s chest. She licked her lips. ‘Cally, nothing’s changed but I’d like to think we’ve both grown into adults who are capable of respecting how we each lead our lives. If you are just coming to judge and labour my past decisions, then don’t bother. I don’t want you here just to…’