Rosie's Little Café on the Riviera

by Jennifer Bohnet

  ‘Her life isn’t a mess because of the assault. Luckily I happened to be in the right place at the time to help. If you can persuade her to tell you about the assault and report it to the gendarmes, I’ll go with her as a witness,’ Rosie said.

  Terry shook his head. ‘Thank you but this isn’t just about the assault. It’s about protecting Saskia from yet another blow in her life.’ He took a deep breath. ‘Like you she has been brought up by a single parent. Her mother died hours after she gave birth.’

  ‘I know,’ Rosie said quietly. ‘She told me the night she stayed with me.’

  ‘She did? What she didn’t tell you – couldn’t, as she doesn’t know – was that it happened the day you rang telling me about Olivia’s problem and wanting me to come back.’

  Shocked, Rosie stared at Terry. ‘Why didn’t you tell me that at the time? At least I would have had a concrete reason for being upset rather than just feeling I had been thrown aside as someone of little importance in your life. I thought you didn’t care about me in any way, any more.’

  ‘So, so not true,’ Terry said, rubbing his forehead with a shaking hand. ‘I wasn’t thinking straight right then. All I knew was that I had a newborn child to take care of and her mother was dead.’

  Instinctively Rosie reached out and touched his arm. ‘It must have been a terrible time for you.’

  ‘At least Saskia knows nothing about that horrendous time and I’ve tried to do my best for her ever since, to make up for everything,’ he said, his voice breaking. ‘It’s a task I’m hoping I can delegate to you, Rosie.’

  Nervously he fiddled with his watch strap before looking up at her. ‘I have a heart problem. Currently it’s under control but I need you to promise me you’ll look after Saskia if anything happens to me? Be her official guardian, if necessary? It’s the main reason I’m buying a house over here. You’re the only blood relative Saskia has and I need to know you’ll be there for her.’

  CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

  Terry insisted on his driver taking her back to town and Rosie sat in the limousine as it drove her home, deep in thought.

  So many of her beliefs about her father shattered. Learning the truth about long-ago circumstances had turned everything on its head. Feelings of guilt now clouded everything. If she hadn’t selfishly rebutted all Terry’s attempts to contact her and they’d talked things through years ago, both their lives could have been different. Their father-daughter relationship could have survived. Now it was going to take time to salvage.

  Seb had been right to urge her to see Terry. If she’d learnt everything Terry had told her this evening after his death, she would have had to live with the guilt for the rest of her life. At least this way she had a chance to make amends.

  Her mobile pinged as the car neared the beach. Seb texting to ask how her meeting had gone and to tell her that supper was waiting for her. Rosie quickly texted back.’Walk on the beach first? Need to clear head.’

  He was waiting for her on his usual rock and after a hug and a kiss they began to walk together along the shoreline as Rosie told him about her meeting.

  ‘Have you forgiven Tiki? ‘ Seb asked. ‘Are you friends now?’

  ‘We have to get to know each other again as adults before we can become friends,’ Rosie said. ‘I do understand now why he did what he did, and I think he understands my reaction.’ She scuffed some sand with her trainer. ‘Whether I’m up to doing what he wants me to do is another question.’

  Seb caught hold of her hand. ‘Which is?’

  ‘Get to know Saskia and be there for her if anything happens to him. Become Saskia’s official guardian if she’s still underage when he dies.’ Rosie sighed. ‘Which he hopes won’t be for some time but the reality is he doesn’t know how long he’s got.’

  Seb squeezed her hand but didn’t speak.

  ‘I’ve agreed to see more of him and to do “sisterly” things with Saskia – whatever he means by that. He wants a family dinner at the villa one evening next week. I know you can’t come to the dinner but you will come along later, won’t you? After you finish at the hotel?’

  ‘Of course.’

  Rosie sighed happily. ‘Thank you. Talking of food. Did you say something about supper? I haven’t eaten for hours and I’m starving.’

  ‘Come on then.’ Seb whistled to Lucky, busy chasing seagulls at the far end of the beach. ‘Time I got back anyway. One of the waitresses was babysitting Isabella for me. I have something to talk to you about, too.’

  Rosie looked at him intrigued but he shook his head.

  ‘It can wait until we’re back at the hotel.’ As he put his arm around her shoulders and held her tight as they walked, Rosie instinctively placed her arm around his body. It felt so good walking together like this.

  Sitting out on Seb’s hidden terrace above the hotel watching the lights twinkling along the coast, Rosie took a large sip from the glass of rosé Seb had given her while he fetched their supper from the kitchen. Looking eastwards along the coast, Rosie wondered if any of the lights she could see belonged to Terry’s villa or was it hidden away on the other side of the promontory?

  Terry and Saskia had given her a tour before she left and she had to admit to being stunned with the sheer beauty of the place. The recent renovations had somehow captured the nostalgic atmosphere of the villa’s heyday. The simple act of turning a mother-of-pearl, round door handle to enter rooms that still held the air of the roaring twenties was exciting.

  The two Jean Cocteau sketches lovingly preserved on the walls of the sitting room had taken her breath away. If Woody Allen had appeared haphazardly directing his latest film Rosie wouldn’t have been surprised. All that had been missing was the noise of a saxophone moodily playing somewhere in the grounds.

  Seb pushed the trolley out onto the terrace. ‘Supper.’

  ‘Nobody has ever spoilt me with food like you do before,’ Rosie said. Previous boyfriends had tended to be fearful of her cooking skills and she’d either fed them or they’d eaten out. Having a chef prepare food for her was something she could get used to – especially if Seb was the chef.

  ‘I’ve never seen asparagus served like this before,’ Rosie said, taking a bite of a spear wrapped in a chive-seasoned omelette with a slice of parma ham holding it all together. ‘Mmm. I think it’s just become my favourite starter.’

  The mushroom terrine and green salad Seb handed her next was equally delicious. As she swallowed the last mouthful, she sighed. ‘You’re good, you are. You deserve any number of stars.’

  ‘Why thank you, ma’am,’ Seb said. ‘Rhubarb and raspberry tart?’ he asked, picking up a knife and cutting two slices.

  ‘Later. I’m full right now. A drop more rosé would be good, though, and then you can tell me what you wanted to talk about.’

  Seb topped up both their glasses before saying, ‘I’ve had a letter from Zoe. She’s having such fun she’s staying out east. Might be back before Christmas but might not.’

  ‘Have you told Isabella?’

  Seb shook his head. ‘Not yet. I don’t want to rock her world in case the news upsets her. She seems happy, doesn’t mention Zoe much – in fact she talks about you more than her mum at the moment. Lucky-dog figures in her conversation a lot, too.’ He fiddled with the stem of his wine glass.

  ‘I’ve applied to the court to become Isabella’s official guardian. The notaire says he can’t see a problem because I’m obviously a responsible father and Zoe isn’t even in the country.’ He looked at Rosie. ‘How d’you feel about me being a full-time father?’

  ‘Is this one of the things you said you had to sort out that evening at the lighthouse?’ Rosie said.

  Seb nodded.

  ‘You’ll be a brilliant full-time dad – you are already,’ Rosie said. ‘Isabella loves you to bits. I don’t see a problem.’

  Seb waved his hand, dismissing her words. ‘Rosie, you’re missing the point. I want you in my life, t
oo. I want us to be a couple.’ He took a deep breath. ‘But I’m coming with baggage.The question really is, how do you feel about being a full-time substitute mum to Isabella? If you can’t handle it, I’m not sure where we go from here.’

  He regarded her anxiously in the brief silence that fell between them before Rosie finally smiled. ‘Oh, I see. Well, I’ve always wanted a family of my own so I don’t have a problem with treating Isabella like my daughter.’

  ‘You sure?’ Seb said. ‘You promise you won’t do a Zoe and run out on us in a few months?’

  ‘I promise that will never happen. Besides, don’t forget I’ve now got baggage you’re going to have to live with, too, in the shape of Terry and Saskia.’ Rosie leant across and kissed him. ‘I think I’m ready for my dessert now we’ve got that out of the way.’

  Wordlessly Seb placed a slice of tart on a plate, smothered it with cream, and to her surprise, instead of handing it to her, began to spoon-feed her.

  ‘You know where Lucky-dog is?’ he asked.

  With her mouth full, unable to answer, Rosie shook her head.

  ‘She’s curled up on Isabella’s bed,’ Seb said, scooping up another spoonful.

  Rosie swallowed quickly. ‘Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll call her and…’

  ‘Stop talking. Open your mouth,’ Seb interrupted, and placed another spoonful in her mouth.

  ‘Seems a shame to disturb her. Probably wake Isabella if we did. She’d be upset. Might even cry. Much better if you stay here tonight, don’t you think? Make everyone happy.’

  CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

  Rosie was enjoying a beautiful dream involving her and Seb honeymooning on some tropical island. Seb was urging her to come and see something he’d discovered on the white beach outside the luxury cabin they were staying in.

  ‘Rosie, Rosie, darling. Please wake up.’

  She came to with a jolt. Seb was kneeling by the bed, shaking her gently.

  ‘What is it? What’s the time?’

  ‘Nearly midnight. Saskia’s phoned. She’s at the hospital with Tiki. She wants you there.’

  Rosie was out of bed and pulling on her clothes. ‘Can you call me a taxi?’

  ‘I’ll drive you.’

  ‘What about Isabella?’

  ‘Alicia’s on her way. I’ve told the night porter. Ready? Let’s go.’

  There was traffic along the bord de mer and several red traffic lights that conspired against them, but fifteen minutes later Seb pulled into the hospital car park.

  The nurse in A & E directed them to a small waiting room near where Tiki was being cared for. Saskia, slumped in a chair in the corridor, jumped up when she saw Rosie and ran to her.

  Rosie hugged her. ‘How is he?’

  ‘I don’t know. They won’t let me see him.’

  ‘I’ll go find us some coffee,’ Seb said. ‘And see if I can find out anything.’

  ‘I’m glad you’re here,’ Saskia said, still standing in Rosie’s embrace.

  ‘What happened?’ Rosie said.

  ‘After you left we had supper on the terrace and just sat there chatting for an hour or so. He was so happy that he’d sorted things out with you and planning all sorts of things for us to do together. Then, he just sort of keeled over. It was horrible, Rosie.’

  Rosie hugged her tighter.

  ‘I just wish they’d tell me what’s happening.’

  ‘I expect they’re busy helping him. We’ll just have to wait. They’ll come and tell us as soon as they have some news,’ Rosie said.

  Seb returned with three coffees. He shrugged as he handed them out. ‘Apparently somebody will be along soon.’

  Rosie glanced at Seb. ‘D’you need to go home for Isabella?’

  ‘I’m staying with you,’ Seb said. ‘Isabella will be fine with Alicia.’

  It was half an hour before a tired-looking doctor, accompanied by a nurse, came to tell them that Tiki was stable.

  ‘Can we see him?’ Saskia asked.

  ‘One of you. Briefly. Then go home and get some sleep. Come back in the morning.’

  Rosie gestured to Saskia to go with the nurse.

  ‘Can you tell us what happened?’ Seb asked the doctor. ‘Something to do with his illness?’

  ‘No. He suffered a minor stroke this evening. We’ll be able to tell you more in the morning.’

  When Saskia returned she was crying.

  ‘Come on, lets get you home,’ Rosie said, looking at Seb. ‘I think my apartment rather than the villa.’

  Seb dropped them both at the apartment. He kissed Rosie goodnight, and gave Saskia a gentle hug before saying, ‘I’ll see you both in the morning,’ and leaving.

  Rosie made two mugs of hot chocolate and she and Saskia sat side by side on the sofa, each lost in their own thoughts. Saskia broke the silence.

  ‘Dad is going to be all right, isn’t he?’

  Rosie shook her head. ‘I don’t know but I hope so – he and I have a lot of catching up to do. He’s in the best place for help.’

  ‘I know he’s not been well but I thought all that was under control and now this happens.’ Saskia’s voice trailed away. ‘He’s all I’ve got. I don’t want to be all alone in the world.’

  ‘If the worst does happen you won’t be alone. You’ve got a big sister now, remember?’

  Saskia smiled weakly. ‘I hadn’t forgotten, really. It’s just that its only ever been Dad and me. My sister was this horrible unknown person living in Europe who didn’t want anything to do with us.’

  ‘That’s because I didn’t know about you. Now I do, I promise you I’m going to be around for you. I take my new role of big sister very seriously.’

  ‘Should think so, too. It’s a very important role,’ Saskia said. ‘Where’s Lucky-dog? She slept on my bed last time and it was lovely.’

  ‘She’s having a sleepover at the hotel with Isabella,’ Rosie said. ‘She adores her,’ she added, trying to make it sound like a regular occurrence rather than something that happened for the first time tonight.

  ‘Were you having a sleepover, too?’ Saskia said. ‘Is that why you and Seb arrived together?’

  ‘Yes,’ Rosie said. No point in denying it. ‘Come on, I think we’d better try and get some sleep. It’s been a long day and tomorrow will be, too.’

  As they made the sofa bed up, Rosie found her thoughts turning to Terry and what would happen if he did die. Saskia, for all her brave words, would be heartbroken. Having a big sister take the place of a beloved father wouldn’t be much consolation, would it?

  Saskia pulled the duvet over herself before looking up at Rosie. ‘Night night. I’m glad my new brother-in-law to be is going to be Seb. He’s nice.’

  ‘Not so fast,’ Rosie laughed. ‘It’s not official yet.’

  ‘But it will be. Can’t wait to tell Dad. He likes Seb.’

  As Rosie climbed into her own bed she could only pray that Terry would live long enough for Saskia to tell him the news.

  A busy week in the restaurant meant Rosie had no chance to think about the changes happening in her life. Changes she knew would inevitably cause far-reaching upheaval in her future. Some welcome, some not.

  She phoned the hospital every morning before starting work. Terry was holding his own, with slight improvements every day. Conversation during her evening visits was becoming that of friends – both she and Terry were slowly letting the past drift away and focusing on their future relationship.

  During the day Rosie concentrated on keeping the Café Fleur running smoothly, organising the final preparations for Tansy and Rob’s wedding, making sure Saskia was eating, walking Lucky-dog. The list went on.

  The days took on a new routine dictated by busy lunchtimes, normal day-to-day café work, followed by hospital visits. Looking after Isabella had been taken out of her hands by Seb.

  ‘I’ve hired a full-time nanny from the agency. You’ve enough to do without worrying about fitti
ng in childminding,’ he’d said.

  Seb employing the nanny had fanned her guilt. If Isabella was going to be her daughter Rosie wanted to be involved with her care – no matter how fraught life was. Besides, she missed seeing the little girl. The fact she didn’t have the energy to argue with Seb told her how tired she was. The end of the summer season wasn’t far away, and she promised herself she’d make it up to both of them then. In the meantime she just had to go with the steamroller effect of current events in her life.

  To Rosie’s surprise, Olivia turned up at the café late one afternoon as she was preparing to leave for her daily visit to Terry. She’d phoned and told her about Tiki’s stroke the day after it happened and Olivia had made her promise to keep her updated with his progress.

  ‘I thought I’d come with you tonight,’ Olivia said now. ‘I sort of feel I should. He played a large part in my life – without him I wouldn’t have you. If you think he’s strong enough for the shock of me appearing that is?’

  ‘I’ll check with him first,’ Rosie said. ‘He’s a lot better. He keeps badgering the doctors to discharge him but they keep insisting they need to do more tests. He’s not their easiest patient, that’s for sure.’

  Olivia laughed. ‘No, he’s always been too impatient for his own good.’

  As Rosie opened the door of his private room she overheard Saskia say, ‘So, with a wedding to look forward to, you’ve got to get better.’ Terry was lying back on his pillows, a happy smile on his face.

  ‘Hi. How’s things today?’ Rosie said, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

  ‘The docs have finally finished their tests. Hoping they’ll let me leave soon,’ Terry said. ‘Saskia’s been telling me about you and Seb. I’m so happy for you – Seb’s a good guy.’

  ‘Nothing official yet,’ Rosie said. ‘But yes, Seb is a good guy. Umm, Dad?’ She stopped, selfconsciously realising what she’d just said. The word had somehow slipped out, maybe because of what she was about to suggest.

  Terry smiled as he looked at her. ‘Yes?’