Feeling that she had no alternative but to go along with the plans without looking unreasonable, Jess said politely, ‘All right then. If you’re quite sure you don’t mind.’
And so it was decided. The evening actually turned out to be a great success and when they returned to the hotel they were all in fine high spirits.
‘So what shall we do tomorrow?’ Jo asked before they had even had a chance to reach the lift.
Emile grinned. ‘I am going to visit the Cathedral of Notre Dame.’
‘I’ve seen a film about that. Quasimodo, a poor hunchback, lived in the belltowers there. He fell in love with a beautiful girl called Esmeralda but she didn’t love him because he was so ugly,’ Mel piped up unexpectedly.
Jess couldn’t stop herself from smiling. Little by little, Mel was coming out of her shell again and was much more like her old self with every hour that passed. She had even laughed a few times today, which Jess took as a good sign.
‘Oh, Mum, please can we go too?’ Jo pleaded, wringing her hands dramatically.
‘Of course we can, if Emile doesn’t mind.’
‘I would be delighted to have the enchanting company of three such beautiful ladies again,’ he assured her, and then to Jess’s mortification he caught her hand and kissed it softly. ‘À demain – until tomorrow,’ he grinned before heading off for the bar.
Jo tittered. ‘I reckon he fancies you, Mum.’
‘Don’t be so silly,’ Jess said, going red. ‘All Frenchmen do that. It’s just like an Englishman shaking hands, that’s all.’
‘If you say so,’ Jo shot back cheekily and then she launched herself into the lift out of the way of Jess’s flailing hand.
The next morning, Jess found Notre Dame was just as beautiful as she’d expected, and realised that she was beginning to feel at home in Paris. Emile was his usual excellent company, and it was clear that the two girls had really taken to him.
‘Whereabouts in Paris did you used to live with your parents?’ Jess asked him curiously as they strolled along the rue de Rivoli.
She watched a flicker of sadness flare in his eyes as memories poured back.
‘We lived in an apartment on the Left Bank on the Rue de Grenelle. Whenever I think of it now I remember the smell of coffee and fresh croissants, and my mother’s perfume.’ He smiled ruefully. ‘My mother was a wonderful cook and was always experimenting with new recipes. She and my father were very much in love, to the point that sometimes I felt in the way, not that they deliberately set out to make me feel like that. In fairness they were very good parents and I never wanted for anything. But I often wonder if I was a mistake. You know – surplus to their requirements? They sent me away to boarding school when I was ten years old and most of my school holidays were spent in England with my aunt.’
Jess felt sorry for him as she then asked softly, ‘And have you never been married?’
He shook his head. ‘No. I have come close to it a couple of times. Once when I was at university and once with a young teacher at the school where I work. But when it came down to getting committed, I backed out. I suppose I just haven’t met the right person yet.’ He grinned cheekily at her then. ‘I think all the best ones are already spoken for.’
Jess blushed furiously. ‘Well, you’re still very young. There’s plenty of time,’ she told him like an old maiden aunt.
He laughed aloud, making Jo and Mel peer round to see what the joke was.
‘You must have been very young when you got married,’ he said, solemn now.
‘I suppose I was really. It seems like a lifetime ago. I shall be thirty-three next birthday.’ She said it as if that was some great milestone.
‘Then you still have a long way to go before you get a telegram from your Queen,’ he teased her. ‘I shall be thirty myself this year.’
Jess was glad now that they had met Emile. He certainly seemed to have perked Mel up, and Jess had even heard her laugh on a number of occasions during the day. But then she supposed that being a teacher, Emile was used to talking to young people and knew how to put them at ease. If only Simon had the same talent. Then Stonebridge House might not feel like such a battlefield all the time.
Her thoughts were pulled back to the present when Emile next asked, ‘And whereabouts did you say you lived?’
‘Actually we recently moved into an old house and over the last few months I’ve been trying to restore it to its former glory. My grandmother died and left me a considerable sum of money, and looking back I suppose I bought the house on a whim,’ Jess admitted. ‘It was really strange when we went to view it because from the second I set foot through the door I felt as if I belonged there.’ She smiled self-consciously. ‘I have to admit I didn’t realise the amount of work we were taking on. Simon wasn’t too keen on the place from day one, so I think I bullied him into living there really. Mel wasn’t happy about the move either. Not long after we moved in I came across an old journal that had been written by Martha Reid, a young maid who used to work there, and it’s absolutely intriguing. The house has quite a dramatic history and every time I read an entry I feel as if I’ve gone back in time.’ Jess felt that she was talking too much. ‘That’s partly why I fell in love with the place, because of its history. But there you are . . . we all make mistakes and I wouldn’t want to leave it now until I’ve done what I set out to do.’
Emile looked interested. ‘I love places with history attached to them. And you may find that by the time you’ve done all the renovations, everyone will love the place as much as you do.’
‘I can always live in hope,’ Jess muttered and then she lapsed into silence until they drew to a halt outside the hotel.
‘And what were you planning to do this evening?’ Emile asked as they all strolled into the foyer.
Jess grinned as she nodded towards Jo, who was yawning widely. ‘If that’s anything to go by I think we might order a meal to be brought to our rooms and have a quiet night. I have a feeling that this little lady is going to go out like a light.’
He nodded in agreement. ‘I think you may be right, but should you get bored, come to the cocktail bar on the top floor and I will be happy to buy you a drink.’
‘Thank you.’ She smiled at him although she had no intentions of taking him up on his offer, then she ushered the girls towards the lift and they made their way upstairs.
Just as Jess had predicted, Jo ate her meal and promptly fell fast asleep curled up on the settee in the lounge. Mel helped her mother to get her tucked into bed then yawned herself.
‘I think I might turn in myself if you don’t mind, Mum,’ she said.
Jess swallowed her disappointment. She had been hoping for a chance to have a heart-to-heart with Mel once Jo was asleep. But it didn’t look like that was going to happen again now, and the holiday was going so well that she didn’t want to spoil it.
‘All right, love. Sweet dreams.’ She smiled as she pecked Mel on the cheek and then turned the TV on and began to flick aimlessly through the channels as the evening stretched ahead of her.
Chapter Eighteen
At ten o’clock, Jess finally gave in to temptation and got dressed. She put on a smart pair of black trousers and high heels, and topped the look off with a sparkly Lurex top she had bought on impulse. She doubted very much if it would ever see the light of day, or night for that matter, again, once she got home, but it felt just right for this particular evening. She carefully applied her make-up and brushed her hair till it shone, leaving it loose about her shoulders. And then after checking on the girls and leaving a note telling them where she was in case they woke up she picked up her bag and headed for the top floor. Emile would be gone by this time tomorrow night, so where was the harm in having one last drink with him?
She spotted him instantly sitting on a high stool by the window with a cocktail in his hand. ‘We’ve Only Just Begun’ by the Carpenters was softly playing in the background as she made her way over to him.
‘Hello.
I thought I’d take you up on your offer of a drink, after all,’ she told him as she drew level.
His face lit up when he saw her. ‘Jess! Why, how wonderful! Come and sit down and I’ll go and get you one of their special cocktails.’
‘Very well, but I insist on paying this time.’ She handed him some euros.
As Emile hurried to the bar she slid onto the stool next to his feeling like a teenager on her first date. But that’s quite absurd, she scolded herself. They were just two adult acquaintances about to share a drink together. What was so wrong with that? She would probably never see Emile again after tonight and that would be the end of it.
He came back to her with some weird and wonderful concoction in his hand and she grinned.
‘I don’t suppose this is non-alcoholic, is it?’
‘I’m afraid not. It is called Nuits de Paris – Paris Nights – and it is truly delicious,’ Emile assured her.
He was right and before she knew it Jess was sipping her second one.
‘Have you thought any more about some private tuition for Mel?’ he asked after a while.
She shook her head. ‘No, I haven’t to be honest. And anyway I would have to ask Simon how he felt about it before I agreed to anything.’
‘Of course.’ He fiddled in his wallet and handed her a card. ‘If you do decide to go ahead, you can reach me on that number.’
After jamming it into her purse she smiled her thanks before gazing out of the window again. The view from up here was panoramic, and she could see for miles. In the distance the River Seine twinkled in the moonlight and she was suddenly glad that she had decided to come here. It was a sight that she knew she would never forget.
‘So what are you planning on doing tomorrow?’ he asked her now.
‘The girls want to visit Versailles,’ Jess said. ‘They also wanted to go to the Moulin Rouge but I put my foot down on that one. Perhaps if we ever come again when they’re both a little older.’
‘I think you could be right,’ he agreed. ‘But it is sad that you did not get to go there. The Moulin Rouge has been the home of the French Cancan for over a century. It is quite a spectacular sight and not one to be missed. I don’t suppose I could tempt you to come with me right now, could I?’
Jess was shocked. ‘But what about the girls? I couldn’t just leave them all alone. And wouldn’t we be too late for the show?’
‘I know the hotel has a babysitting service you could use and we would just about catch the last show if we were to hurry.’ As he spoke he was glancing at the expensive Rolex on his wrist and Jess was sorely tempted. She had been told by numerous people that the show was amazing. And after all, she tried to convince herself, when would she ever get this chance again?
‘All right then.’ She couldn’t believe she had agreed to it, but was excited all at the same time. ‘But only if you allow me to buy my own ticket.’ She had heard that it was very expensive, but what the hell! They drained their glasses and hurried down to the reception, where Jess arranged a sitter for the girls and in no time at all they were in a taxi and on their way, and delighted to find there were a couple of vacant seats.
As they sat sipping their complimentary glasses of champagne, a troupe of over a hundred dancers appeared onstage, dressed in exotic costumes adorned with rhinestones, feathers and numerous sequins. The show’s sumptuous sets included moving staircases, swings and a garden setting, as well as a giant aquarium that provided a brilliant backdrop for the beautifully choreographed cabaret.
Jess was completely entranced, and when the show was over, she clapped until she felt her hands would drop off.
‘Are you glad you went now?’ Emile asked as their taxi crawled its way back through the traffic to the hotel.
‘Oh yes!’ Jess said. ‘I can’t remember when I’ve enjoyed myself so much. I suppose I’ve led a very sheltered life really. I got married very young and had Mel, and ever since then my life has revolved around my girls and my home.’
‘They are a credit to you,’ he told her sincerely. ‘I’m quite envious of you in a way. It must be nice to have your own family.’
Hearing the sadness in his voice, she glanced at him from the corner of her eye.
‘You are very pensive,’ Emile remarked.
She forced a smile. ‘Oh, I was just thinking, that’s all. Life is a funny thing, isn’t it?’
He nodded in agreement. ‘It certainly is.’
When they arrived back at the hotel she thanked Emile for a wonderful evening and went immediately back to her suite, where she found the girls still sleeping like babies. She thanked the sitter, who was dozing in the chair, and gave her a tip and then on a sudden urge she rang home – but once again the call was unanswered so she got ready for bed and slept like a log until morning.
Emile was waiting for them all in the foyer the next morning. His plane wasn’t flying out until later that evening, so she had guessed that he would choose to visit Versailles with them. Afterwards, everyone agreed that the trip was the highlight of their holiday. To Jess’s delight, everything from the guided tour to the food was perfect, and Mel seemed more relaxed than ever. As they finally boarded the coach to go back to the hotel, Jo told Emile sadly, ‘I wish you didn’t have to go home tonight. Will we ever see you again?’
‘I hope so, ma petite,’ he answered. ‘I have enjoyed being in your company so very much. It would have been a very lonely break for me, had we not all met.’
Jess could scarcely believe how quickly the time had passed. They would be flying home themselves tomorrow, and then it would be back to school and to work on the house.
‘What time will you be leaving for the airport?’ Jo asked.
Emile glanced at his watch. ‘In about an hour, so I ought to go and get my packing done.’
The coach had stopped outside the hotel now and they all trooped into the foyer.
‘May Mel and I come down to say goodbye to you before you leave?’ Jo asked him.
He ruffled her hair affectionately. ‘That would be very nice.’ He then turned to Jess and held out his hand. ‘I shall say my goodbyes to you now. It has been a pleasure to be in your company.’
Jess shook his hand warmly. ‘Thank you, and it was nice to meet you too. Goodbye. Safe journey.’
As she and the girls made for the lift she realised that Emile had acted like a perfect gentleman for the whole of the time she had been in his company. He had never once tried to push their relationship beyond friendship and she was glad of that fact, because a little part of her knew deep down that had he done so, she just might have been tempted. He was an extremely attractive man, after all. But then she was a married woman and three whole years older than him anyway. Grinning to herself she led the girls to their rooms. It was time she started a little packing of her own. They would be heading for the airport straight after breakfast the next day and she didn’t want to leave everything until the last minute.
An hour later both girls went down to the foyer to say goodbye to Emile and after a while Jo returned alone.
‘Where’s Mel?’ Jess demanded, instantly flying into a panic. As lovely as Paris was, it was no place for a fourteen-year-old girl to be wandering about on her own.
‘It’s all right, Mum. She’s just having a mooch around the hotel gift shop,’ Jo told her.
Jess’s heart slowed to a steadier rhythm. ‘Oh, that’s all right then – just so long as she doesn’t get going off.’
Mel appeared fifteen minutes later clutching her purse and the small flight bag with her personals in that she’d bought on the plane.
‘Get anything nice, did you?’ Jess asked cheerfully.
Mel shrugged. ‘Not really. Just bits and bobs. A few souvenirs.’ She then ducked into her bedroom and seconds later Jess heard the shower click on. Judging by the sullen look on Mel’s face the good mood was going to end with the holiday, which was a shame. She’d been so much more like her old self over the last couple of days. But then as Jess was
fast discovering, that was teenagers for you and there wasn’t much she could do about it. Sighing, she returned to packing her case.
The next morning after breakfast they all went back to their suite to do their last-minute packing.
‘Mum, can I just pop down to the gift shop? I want to get something for Dad,’ Jo said. She was not looking forward to going home and had made no secret of the fact. Jess was sure she would have stayed for at least another month if she’d had the chance.
‘All right then,’ she said. ‘But only if Mel will go with you. I should be finished here by the time you get back, but don’t be too long. I’ve booked us a taxi to the airport and I have to settle up the bill.’
Jo turned to Mel who had her head stuck in a magazine. ‘Will you come with me then, Mel? Please?’
With a martyred look on her face, Mel slung the magazine down and slouched towards the door, and within seconds they were gone.
Now Jess quickly checked that everything was done. There were just their toiletries left in the bathrooms to pack now and that would take no more than a few minutes to do. First she packed her own before heading for the en-suite that the girls had shared.
She took the girls’ flight bags in with her and after packing Jo’s things she then lifted Mel’s bag and her toothbrush and toothpaste from the sink. It was as she was putting them inside that something caught her eye, tucked well down beneath Mel’s iPod. It was a large carrier bag, and quite heavy by the looks of it. She supposed it would contain the things that Mel had bought from the gift shop the night before, and curious now, she lifted it out and peeped inside. As she did so, the colour drained from her face. The bag was full of tiny plastic wallets full of white powder.
Jess had never had anything to do with drugs in her whole life. They were the one thing she abhorred, and she had always told the girls that if they ever dabbled in them she would wash her hands of them for ever. And now here was her daughter’s flight bag stuffed full of the damn stuff. But where could she have got it from? Mel had barely been out of her sight for the whole of the time they had been there . . . apart from when she had gone to say goodbye to Emile in the foyer the night before. Shock coursed through her as she sat down heavily on the toilet lid. Emile! He must have targeted them. And she had fallen for his charm hook, line and sinker when all he had wanted was a young vulnerable girl to smuggle this dreadful stuff back into England for him. No wonder he had been so flush with cash for a humble teacher. She remembered the Rolex.
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