by Karen Aldous
‘Mademoiselle Grant?’
‘Yes.’
After twenty minutes of questioning and Evie taking him inside the house to show him evidence of his presence at different times from the CCTV, the officer announced they would take him to the station for questioning.
‘Will he be restricted from the area or from following me?’
‘Most certainly, mademoiselle, so please rest assured, we will ensure your safety and report to you with anything further.’
‘Thank you,’ she said and he turned to leave. She turned to Cally who was trying to keep Charlotte amused. ‘Let’s hope it works.’
‘I don’t suppose they can guarantee anything but hopefully it will warn him off. He won’t get off twice. Well done. You see, quick decisive action, and it’s sorted.’
Evie spread her fingers across her throat, heaving out a sigh. ‘Yes, quite a relief. It’s been an emotional morning. Come on, let’s get going. We don’t want to waste our last day together.’
Chapter 23
After spending a lovely weekend with her sister, she and Charlotte waved Cally off as she left for the airport after lunch. Cally had spoken to her mother again when they’d returned from their ride to Capestang and was assured by her mother that her father’s recovery was progressing well and that she would ring her when any plans had been made for their return. The girls had agreed they would make separate visits as soon as they could when they returned so that their father wasn’t too overwhelmed. The prospect of her father being so close to death still unnerved her. She had lain awake thinking about what she could do to help him mend and was still racking her brain as she tidied away the food and plates after lunch. Maybe she could make something from Charlotte, a card or a framed picture for their new house when they got it. She checked the clock.
Evie unlocked her cupboard, pulling out her laptop. She quickly saved her document to her memory stick so that she could email Ben her research notes. She deposited the memory stick into her pocket and, as she replaced the computer, she collected her passport for ID. She packed it in her rucksack and set off with Charlotte on the bicycle to the library and the bank in Beziers. Cycling past the locks at Fonserannes, Ben and several of the crew waved from what she now thought of as their patch, their unit base, the site where large equipment trucks, a mobile production office, vans and cars of various sizes were temporarily situated, even some oversized motorhomes, quite probably Winnebago’s. Evie didn’t really know the difference. All she knew was, the scale of this project seemed to be growing hugely, and Ben was luring her heart at the same rate.
She thought about his words again and wondered just how much he genuinely liked her. It had been wonderful to hear him say that and, privately, she would admit to herself, she felt extremely flattered. He was certainly delicious in every sense, and she would love to develop a relationship with him, if she wasn’t with Seb and Ben wasn’t so consumed. Clearly she had a hankering for certain types! But she should start thinking about her own happiness. It was pretty lonely living alone ninety-five percent of the time and, after hearing about her father’s near miss with death, life was too short not to live it to the full rather than be caged in that house. If only she was stronger, financially independent or decisive even, she could take charge of her life and not have to rely so much on Seb.
The library was busy and she had to wait for a computer terminal and then, pulling out her memory stick, she rushed to get her email sent to Ben so that she could get to the bank. Speedily, she searched the library shelves for the same author who had provided sketchy details of Riquet’s past. The book she wanted was out but she put it on order with the librarian and dashed Charlotte into the centre of the city, and in to the bank. Monday mornings were not good. Twenty-five minutes she waited for a clerk to become available. A tall bald man, quite young, about thirty, called her to the chair in the booth. Nodding at her request to open a new account, he opened a drawer and flipped a pile of forms onto his desk. He began asking questions, twitching his eye at her as he waited and filling in the answers with his pen. She handed him her passport and after his simple scrutiny, asked her to wait. He disappeared for a few minutes.
Returning, he explained that, whilst the bank accepted her passport, they needed it certified, and then he asked for proof of residency, a household bill or something similar. Evie struggled with this because, as she explained to him, her partner paid all the major bills. She’d taken it for granted she would be able to open a bank account, not considered it being a problem before now, so how was she going to get paid without it showing in her main account? Seb would freak out. She reiterated to the clerk, the bills were all in her partner’s name, but the clerk just shrugged. And, he informed her, she would need the passport certified by a notary and valid within three months, and she would need to make a deposit from an existing account. Feeling deflated, she took Charlotte’s hand and picked up her passport.
‘Hi sweetie,’ Suzanne’s voice rang out.
‘Oh, hi. How was the wedding? Did you have a great weekend?’
‘Super, it was beautiful,’ Suzanne said as she greeted her with air kisses. ‘I overheard you and I’m guessing you wish to open the account to be paid?’
‘‘That was the plan.’
‘Do you want me to ask Sabine or Bernard if they can pay you another way? Cash?’
‘It’s so ridiculous. I’ve lived there over two years. Do you think they would?’
‘Don’t you even have a copy of a statement from your shared bank account?’
‘I have a plastic card and I withdraw the same amount each month.’ Evie confessed, shamefaced. Suzanne had obviously heard everything.
‘You have a problem, darling. I will ask for you but if not, what will you do?’
Evie bit her lip and furrowed her brows. ‘I have no idea.’ She couldn’t get any household documents from Seb. He would ask questions and all the money she had earned thus far was worthless. It was unlikely Ben could pay her cash too. So how on earth was she going to get her extra money?
Suzanne was called to a booth. ‘Ah, my turn. Get a table outside Le Mathi’s and order some coffees. I’ll be out soon.’
‘Ok, see you there,’ Evie said, her face pink with humiliation.
After coffee and a chat, Evie cycled back with Suzanne and after saying goodbye, walked along the passage. As she neared the end, out of habit, she checked behind her, down the track just in case the pest didn’t understand the law. As she turned back, nearing her gates, she was hit with a different surprise. A car was parked outside them, which was odd. Not many cars parked directly in front. Only… Seb. She scurried forward, the lock in the gate turning only once. It must be Seb.
She let Charlotte in and went back for her rucksack. ‘Hello chicken,’ she heard. He sounded in a good mood. He ruffled Charlotte’s hair and rushed to greet her. ‘You look well.’
Evie returned his casual kiss. ‘Thank you. So do you,’ she said noting the full-on tan. ‘Is all that real?’
‘Yep. Just got back from shooting a new video – on a yacht. Bloody hard work believe it or not. That’s why I thought we should have a break. I’ve arranged for a week or two at my villa. You’ll love it. Pack your bags and we’ll have some dinner and get going.’
Evie’s mouth dropped. ‘What, tonight? What villa?’
‘Yes, why not?’
‘Well it’s short notice.’ She couldn’t tell him she had work in the morning, and where was this villa?
‘And? What did you have planned in your busy schedule?’
‘I… I was meeting up with Suzanne tomorrow, and we were going to market on Wednesday.’ This was all so sudden.
‘You have a phone. Text her and tell her you’re off on holiday.’
‘But that isn’t very nice.’ Evie wiped perspiration from her brow. ‘I don’t like letting people down.’
Seb slung an arm round her, squeezing her shoulder. ‘It’s not very often I get time out, and this is the first
chance that we, as a family, have had to go away together.’
Evie shrugged to loosen his grip. ‘No, of course. But, clothes. I have to wash clothes. We won’t have anything to wear.’
‘There’s a washing machine at the villa, just throw everything you need in and you can wash it tomorrow. Christ, I thought you would be pleased.’
‘Yes. I’m pleased, it’s… just a surprise. And you could have given me time to prepare.’
‘Then, great.’ Seb stepped towards the kitchen. ‘I’ll help with dinner while you get packed. Charlotte can go to sleep as usual. We can put her in the car. I’ve brought you some really nice wine too – to have with your dinner.’
Charlotte clung to her leg. Evie bent down and picked her up, sitting her on her hip and trying to think straight. ‘Well, where is this villa?’ I’ll have to get organised. I only have two salmon fillets, oh but, we can share one. Ah, actually, I could defrost some chicken if you prefer?’
‘Chicken would be my choice. I have to be in the mood for salmon.’
‘Ok, you play with Charlotte whilst I organise food. I’ll get the dinner prepared so you can continue with it while I start packing. I can bathe Charlotte, get her in her pyjamas before we eat.’
Seb pinched his lips. His forehead wrinkled. ‘I’ll put her over with her toys,’ he said lifting his daughter like a leggy lion pup and carrying her to the end of the sofa with her toys. ‘I didn’t realise we’d have to go through a military operation.’
‘Wha…’ Evie slammed her mouth shut. This was too much. He was being totally unreasonable. She raised her chin. It was lovely to be going on holiday but Christ, a phone call with a bit of notice would be courteous. She peered at him walking off with Charlotte, careful not to let him see as she grabbed her books from the cupboard, keeping watch. She had to act quick and hide them. The laptop would be trickier, but she wasn’t going anywhere without them. She thrust the books into a bag and peered up again. Seb was turning round. She slammed the cupboard shut and ran to the hall. He would be furious if he found out and would certainly take them away.
As she dashed back in, Seb slid her a glance and gave Charlotte a toy telephone and sat her down. ‘There, you can ring your mummy and tell her what toys to pack.’ He breezed back to the kitchen and opened the fridge door, removing one of the beers Evie supposed he must have brought with him. He came up beside her. ‘I can’t rearrange the whole summer schedule. What would you like me to do?’
Evie squirmed. Getting highly agitated, she didn’t want to go and she should tell him. Be brave Evie, she told herself as she tossed the chicken into the microwave and slammed the door. She set the defrost button and decided she would be better out of his way. Taking in a deep breath, she said. ‘Grill the chicken once it’s defrosted, put on the rice, here,’ she pointed to the small packet on the side, ‘and put on some frozen peas. They are in the freezer. The salmon won’t take long, so I’ll make a start upstairs and come back and do that in about twenty minutes. Is that ok?’
‘I think I can manage that,’ he said swigging back his beer. ‘I’ll give you a shout if I need help.’
She bowed her head. ‘Perfect.’ And ‘where’s my beer?’ she wanted to scream. In fact she felt she could down that precious bottle of wine he’d brought, the mood she was in. This was awful, she would have to contact Suzanne and apologise. He could be an obnoxious twat at times.
Grabbing her phone, and her bag in the hall, she ran up the stairs and texted Suzanne asking her to ring her boss, apologising profusely. She ran into Charlotte’s room and gathered all her clothes, putting them into neat piles. Even the dirty ones, but kept them separate, ready to wash; she would cover the clean one’s first when she put them in the case. She went to her own room and repeated the process.
‘Ah,’ she then slapped her head, ‘the chest of drawers.’ She pulled out the bottom drawer and reached under the sheets to the back. Two new notebooks. ‘Brilliant.’ She wouldn’t mind him seeing those. She kept those out but wrapped the used ones in t-shirts and layered a few items on top. With a few minutes to spare, she reached for her charger.
‘Damn, where have I put that?’
She returned to the kitchen where Seb stood watching the grill and bent her head to see Charlotte talking to her doll. Grabbing some pens before Seb heard her, she popped them into her back pocket, then continued looking for the charger. Ridiculous, she scowled to herself, why would Seb even question a few pens and paper. But just in case he did, she justified, she didn’t have to reply. Anyway, what she needed right now were bravery pills.
‘How’s it going?’ she asked, keeping her tone sweet whilst scanning the worktops and tables for her charger.
‘I think the chicken has burnt a bit on top.’
‘Have you turned it?’
‘No.’
Evie pulled out the grill, the chicken did indeed look charred. She turned it over and lowered the temperature. Opening a kitchen drawer, she pulled out a pan and put it on the stove adding a little water before the pieces of salmon. Taking a lemon from the fridge, she cut it and squeezed a little over the fish and covered it. With a wooden spoon, Evie stirred the rice, there was enough for twelve. She added a little oil and salt.
‘Do you mind if I have a beer?’ she asked.
‘No, there’s plenty there.’
‘Peas, where are the peas?’
‘Oh, I forgot about those.’
Evie put the kettle on and took a saucepan from the drawer, placing it on the stove. Seb kept guard of the chicken breast whilst Evie grabbed a beer and opened it. She took a mouthful, then cleared off the dining table in the middle of the kitchen. Dutch courage. She needed to tell him she couldn’t go. What excuse could she make up?
‘Would you like some sweet chilli sauce with your chicken?’
‘Yes, that would be nice.’
Evie wiped the table and then set it out with place mats, cutlery and crudités. She poured boiling water into the saucepan, lit the gas and gave it a few seconds before pouring in the peas, adding a sprinkle of salt. Seb pulled the chicken out.
‘Is it done yet?’
Evie peered at it over his shoulder as she reached for the chilli sauce. ‘A few more minutes.’ She turned down the pan with the salmon. She had to say something soon.
From the cupboard, she collected two wine glasses and placed them and the chilli sauce on the table. Again she stirred the rice, then added more hot water. She took another swig of beer.
‘Charlotte, let’s go wash your hands ready for dinner. You’ll have to have a bath after.’
Seb took his eye off the chicken and glanced her way. ‘I thought you said she would have her bath before dinner.’
‘Well dinner won’t be long now. Do you have washing powder and all that at your place?’
‘I think so. Anyway, I can order it in.’
‘I’ll take some just in case.’
‘Evie, stop faffing. We are now officially on holiday, relax.’
‘When I’ve packed, I’ll relax.’ She turned down the peas as they boiled then reminded Charlotte. ‘Hands.’ She walked over and collected some of Charlotte’s toys. ‘In the cloakroom, poppet. Come with Mummy.’ Evie placed the toys in the hall and led her daughter to the basin in the cloakroom. A few minutes later, they returned.
‘That chicken should be done now.’
‘Plates?’ Seb held the grill pan in his hand.
Evie shifted the highchair round the table and sat her daughter in. ‘In that top cupboard.’ She pointed.
‘Could you get one for me please?’
Clenching her teeth, she took down two large plates and a small plastic one from the cupboard and gave him one of the large plates. She placed the other two on the worktop and rinsed the rice before adding the peas, stirring them in together, and dishing a spoonful for Charlotte, two for her and she lost count of how many she served for Seb. Seb placed his chicken on the top and sat down whilst Evie served salmon on the other
two plates. Removing the skin from Charlotte’s, she chopped it into small pieces. She then removed her own skin and took the plates to the table. Seb poured the remainder of the chilli sauce over the chicken then looked up at Evie as she sat down.
‘Sorry, did you want some sauce?’
‘Apparently not.’
‘I’ll get the wine shall I?’
‘That would be lovely,’ she forged a smile, then rubbed the back of her neck ‘Don’t forget to blow, poppet,’ she reminded Charlotte and took a mouthful from her own fork. The food lodged in her throat. She swilled down more beer. He was messing up her plans. She had to stop it here.
Seb placed the glasses down. ‘Your wine, mademoiselle.’
She stood up, unable to face him sitting down. ‘Seb, I can’t go. My dad is ill, he’s had a heart attack. I may have to…’ The thought unsteadied her.
‘Don’t be ridiculous. Since when did he need your help, he’s never worried about you.’
‘It’s not ridiculous. I don’t want to go.’ She picked up her wine glass and swigged a large mouthful. ‘And I’ve made plans with Suzanne this week and I can’t let her down.’
‘What? I’ve gone to all this trouble to set this up for you both…’
‘Well it’s not just that. I just I want to stay here. I’m sorry.’ She held her breath, her fingers shaking. She took another slurp of wine, finishing it off.
‘For heaven’s sake. Why? You can let me down but not them?’ Seb leaped up from the table and took her glass, making her jump. ‘Sit down.’ he demanded, filling her glass up again.
Charlotte munched away; Evie gazed at her, trying to find the strength she needed to stand up to Seb. Charlotte’s daddy wasn’t in the best of moods. In fact, he was becoming more and more irritated and it was her fault. Evie wanted to grab Charlotte and run. She couldn’t sit down, she needed the strength of her legs. How was she going to get out of this?
‘I’d better get Charlotte to bed.’ Charlotte had barely finished her dinner but Evie didn’t want her to hear what was going to be a messy confrontation. ‘Come on poppet. A quick bath and story.’ Whipping her from her highchair and carrying Charlotte up the stairs, Evie added a little warm water to the bath and removed Charlotte’s clothes, her head feeling woozy. Quickly, she bathed her child and dried her off and got her ready in her nighty. ‘Just a little story tonight my precious.’ Feeling calmed by the story herself, Evie tossed Charlotte’s dirty clothes into the bag, turned down her light, and returned to the kitchen where Seb had begun stacking the dishwasher. She sat down and nibbled at her dinner, hoping food in her stomach would absorb the wine. As she took bites of food, she observed Seb. He fiddled with the dishwasher, selecting a wash. She wanted to tell him it was already set but thought better of it. She would save her breath. He went to the fridge and gathered some chilled items, then, picking them up one by one, threw them in the bin.