Island of Secrets

by Karen Abbott

  Georges slowly turned and looked at her.

  Gini held her breath. Her father was strict and often spoke without thinking but he was always fair. And she’d rather have his blessing than be fighting against him—though she’d fight if necessary.

  “All right. You can tell us all about it later! There’s work to be done in the meantime. Go and help Christi get the horse ready for the rides.”

  Gini flung her arms around his neck.

  “Thank you, Papa.”

  It was seven o’clock before the family was able to gather together around the table. Gini was getting anxious about being able to return to St. Trojan to meet Hugo and his friends in time to join them in their hunt for Paul, so she lost no time in telling them everything that had happened that day.

  Luc’s, “I told you so,” was cut short by his father.

  “What do you know of this young man?”

  The one question Gini didn’t want!

  “Not a lot. But he seems very genuine.”

  “So did Vincent,” Luc reminded her

  Gini pulling a face him and turned back to their father.

  “And he’s putting me in touch with this Paul, who owns the cabin.”

  “That’ll be Paul Meroc,” Jean-Claude intervened. “His father has a small fishing fleet at La Cotinière. I know him slightly. He should be sound enough.”

  Georges nodded.

  “I know who you mean.”

  He was silent for a few minutes and Gini held her breath. Her mother was nodding her head. She understood how Gini felt. She herself had never done much in the family business neither on the farm in the old days, nor in the holiday complex. Her talents and time were spent home-making. But she knew her daughter had inherited more characteristics from her father than from herself.

  She sent an encouraging smile to her daughter. Then back to Georges.

  Georges glanced at her, then at Jean-Claude and Christi. They were all looking at him in expectation.

  “It will affect us all. You, too, Luc. You’ll have to give Christi a hand after school.”

  “For more money?” Luc wasn’t one to miss a trick.

  “Probably. Jean-Claude, what do you think ?

  Jean-Claude nodded.

  “Yes. She deserves a chance. It’s what she went to College for, after all.”

  “Christi?”

  “Yes. I agree. We’ll manage.”

  “Right, Virginie. You may go ahead. But I want Jean-Claude to accompany you, both tonight and, if Jean-Claude think it is suitable for you, to make sure a proper contract is drawn up over the lease. And you must help Christi until Emilie can start work next week. Christi has some news for you.”

  Gini suppressed her delight at her father’s decision long enough to look enquiringly at Christi, who was smiling widely.

  “I’m pregnant,” she announced. She exchanged a fond glance with Jean-Claude. “The baby is due around Christmas time.”

  Gini rushed to hug her, with a delighted squeal.

  “Congratulations! I was wondering how long it would be before I became an aunt … or whatever! Thanks for supporting me. I appreciate it.”

  As soon as she could get away after the work for the day was finished, Gini showered and put on some casual white trousers and a blue and white striped top. She draped a sweater around her shoulders. Jean-Claude was ready before her.

  “Come on. I’ll take a look at the shack on the way in.”

  The small port was alive with visitors. Some boats were being unloaded on the quay and interested tourists were watching the proceedings.

  “See, potential customers,” Gini smiled, nudging her cousin.

  Jean-Claude nodded. “Yes. It’s not a bad spot. It’s out of the main town area but not so far as to take it of reach … and there are always people around here in the evenings. You could stay open longer in July and August, when the main tourists come.”

  He examined the outer structure and pronounced it sound.

  “It has another strong door at the rear. You shouldn’t have any security problems. Have you any idea what it’s like inside?”

  Gini shook her head.

  “Only what I can see through the window. It’s in a bit of a mess but that should be easy to clear up … with a bit of help!”

  Jean-Claude laughed. “I’ve no doubt you’ll get it!”

  They moved on into the town and quickly caught up with Hugo and his friends. Gini felt slightly embarrassed by her cousin’s presence, but they all accepted him without comment and they began their trawl of the various bars, linked together with their mobile phones. They eventually found Paul in the Yachting Club and lost no time in explaining their errand. Gini left it to Jean-Claude to do the talking, ready to interrupt if she felt the case wasn’t being pressed firmly enough.

  But, she needn’t have worried. Paul was as keen to let the cabin as she was to hire it and, in no time at all, they had made arrangements to collect the key for a provisional inspection of the premises the following day.

  Gini was exuberant. Things were definitely moving forward. She felt like singing and dancing and shouting it to the world. The night was still young and she didn’t feel like tamely returning home with Jean-Claude.

  “Stay with us, if you like,” Hugo suggested, his smile telling her that he hoped she would.

  She gave him an appraising look. She had already decided that she liked him. He was easy-going, fun to be with, good-looking and … ? Why not!

  “Thanks, I’d love to. What about you, Jean-Claude?”

  “Count me out. I’m an old married man,” Jean-Claude grinned. “But not so old that I’ve forgotten what it’s like to be young! How will you get home?”

  “Don’t worry about me. I’ll get a taxi,” she told him.

  Jean-Claude agreed and, with a casual wave of his hand, he left them to it.

  Gini recognised many of the local people who were already enjoying themselves in the Club. Some, like her, had been away at college or university. Others worked on the island or had come home for summer jobs. She was thankful that she hadn’t shared her hopes of her partnership with Vincent when she had seen them last. That would have been embarrassing, she reflected, as she casually returned their greetings. She quickly realised that Hugo and his friends were already familiar with many the local population of young people and the summer visitors.

  “You have been here before?”

  Hugo laughed.

  “But, of course. Word soon gets round of the best places to go. The nights are long, especially when you’re not sure where you may be sleeping that night.”

  “Aren’t you staying anywhere?”

  “Oh yes. But ‘where’ changes from night to night. Maybe in the van or on the beach. It does not matter. I have a good sleeping bag. So have the others.”

  His eyes twinkled.

  “It is good fun. You must try it sometime.”

  “Hmm?”

  Gini wasn’t sure of that. She liked her comfort too much.

  “If you’re ever stuck, I’m sure we could find you somewhere to sleep, except in high season, of course. Then it’s almost coast to coast people.”

  Hugo laughed.

  “I think I’d rather take my chance out here. But thank you, anyway. Come on. Let’s dance.”

  They danced, sang, laughed and drank, moving on to other bars as the fancy took them. They ate mussels and chips out of plastic containers, sitting on the end of the jetty.

  Every day should be like this, she decided. A sense of excitement rose within her. If Jean-Claude approved the premises, she was going to have her own business! She sobered slightly, at the thought that it wasn’t yet settled, feeling she couldn’t bear it if her plans came to nothing. But she didn’t stay subdued for long. The night was too special for that.

  They strolled along the beach, fingers entwined, listening to the whisper of the waves as they lapped at the shingle. All too soon, the evening drew to a close. The air had cooled and Gin
i shivered and pulled her light jacket closer around her.

  “I’d better go home,” she said softly. “It’s getting late. Where will you go?”

  “Oh, we’ll find somewhere.”

  He reached out his hand and drew a soft line down the side of her face and along the line of her cheek.

  She wondered if he were going to kiss her. Part of her wanted him to—but another part of her shrank from it. She wasn’t ready. She didn’t want to make a fool of herself again quite so quickly! Not that it would mean anything, she hastily assured herself, just in case.

  But he didn’t. He playfully flicked his finger at the tip of her nose.

  “I’ll be around,” he assured her. “When you’ve had a look at the place we’ll fix a time when I can come to help you.”

  They found a taxi and Gini sank back into the seat, letting out a long sigh of happiness. She didn’t know whether it was the excitement over the shop, the drinks she had had … or whatever? But, whatever it was, it was wonderful. She liked Hugo, even though she didn’t know a great deal about him. He had told her surprisingly little, she reflected, but she had enjoyed the evening better than any in a long time.

  Still smarting from her similar thoughts about Vincent such a short while ago, she took herself sternly in hand. There was little to compare between the two men. Vincent was a suave professional businessman—Hugo an unemployed beach-bum. She had no doubts as to which she preferred—but she must forget any thoughts of romance for now and concentrate on setting up her business.

  That was her main aim and nothing was going to distract her from it!

  Chapter 5

  Getting through the morning chores seemed endless. Gini was filled with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Even the horses became skittish, picking up on her mood.

  “For heaven’s sake, Gini!” Christi exclaimed. “I’ll be glad when today is over!”

  “So will I,” Gini agreed. “I won’t be able to bear it if anything goes wrong!”

  They finally set out at about half-past two in the afternoon, driving past Le Port des Salines and the tide-filled oyster-beds, where the tall hollyhocks would soon be in full flower. All was quiet in the forest as it was still part of the long lunch break favoured on the island. Soon, the whine of chain-saws would once more fill the air, as yet more damaged trees were cut down and stripped of their branches.

  They collected the key and drove back to the port.

  “I’m glad you’ve come with me,” Gini confessed to Jean-Claude. “I don’t think I’d be objective enough, I want the place so much.”

  Jean-Claude laughed.

  “Georges suspected as much. But, if we are to release money into this venture of yours, we want to be sure we aren’t throwing it away!”

  “You mean I don’t need to get a loan from the bank?” Gini asked in surprise.

  “Let us say that your father recognises your spirit of determination. I think he is secretly proud of your stand for independence and he doesn’t see why the bank should reap the gain. We couldn’t have afforded it for the other shop you wanted but for this one, the rent is nominal. You just need fittings and stock. Keep within the budget we set you and you’ll be okay.”

  “Thanks, Jean-Claude.”

  The backing of her father and Jean-Claude meant a great deal to her. She was fortunate, she knew. Her mother would be behind her and helping where she could and Luc’s banter hid a loyalty just as staunch. She was grateful for the chance they were all giving her to branch out on her own instead of going into the family business. Nothing would stop her from making a success of it.

  The interior of the cabin almost made her hesitate in her resolve. At first glance, it looked worse than she had imagined. The concrete floor was broken in places; the previously-used shop-fittings were made of self-assembly metal strips and were totally unsuitable; the walls were of unpainted wood, dirty and stained; and at least a skipful of rubbish and broken stock was littered about.

  On the positive side, there was a small room at the rear of the main room that would hold spare stock and accommodate two fitting-rooms. And, just as importantly, and electricity and water were already connected.

  “What do you think?” she asked in a small voice.

  “Hmm. I suppose ‘basic’ is the best description.”

  Jean-Claude was busy poking at the wooden walls and moving some of the rubble to examine it more closely.

  “Right now, I wouldn’t come in here to buy hardware, let alone clothes but I’m sure you are looking at it through different eyes. So, come on. Tell me what you intend to do.”

  “Well, for a start, I want to keep the basic look, cleaned up, of course, but plain and serviceable, rather than high-class. I was thinking of a wooden floor, expecting it to be so, but, looking at the state of the concrete, I’m wondering if a good layer of sand with wooden duck-boards making a walkway, especially over the broken parts, would be all right. It would keep the costs down and I don’t see why I should be spending too much on improving the basic facilities, since they aren’t mine—and we’ll only be leasing it initially until the end of the season.”

  Jean-Claude nodded in approval.

  “Mmm, that’s a good idea. The walls are sound, by the way, despite their shabby appearance. What about fittings?”

  He was still looking around critically, determined to miss nothing.

  “Again, I want it to be simple. I was thinking of a bland backdrop to show off the colours and fabrics I intend to use. How about getting Jacques to cut some of the fallen trees into suitable lengths for making simple frames? I know it’s not seasoned but it will do for short-term. And you said you wouldn’t be able to sell it at a profit, anyway! So, I reckon you should give it to me! And some of the bamboo canes. They could be stuck to the wooden frames to add interest and some pieces made into some hanging curtains for the doorways.”

  Jean-Claude grinned at her. “I can see you’ll make a hard-bargaining business-woman! If you get a s good a bargain for your stock, you’ll have paid your debts in no time!”

  Gini laughed. “I’m not my father’s daughter for nothing! Seriously, though, what do you think?” She swung around, flinging out her arms. “I know I can do it! I really do!”

  Jean-Claude studied her face seriously for a moment.

  “Yes,” he said slowly. “I think you probably can. I must admit, I can’t, as yet, see how this dump of a place is going to look like any kind of dress-shop that I’ve ever been in! I know! I know! I’ve not been in that many!” holding up his hands in mock defence, “but, I trust your instincts.”

  Gini flung her arms around him, squealing her thanks loudly in her delight. Jean-Claude allowed her a short twirl before he disentangled himself, though he was grinning at her excitement.

  “There’s a lot of work to be done and I know you don’t want to miss the main tourist season, so I’ll let you have Jacques for a few days to organise the clearing out and joinery jobs. Will your friend Hugo and his surfing pals come to help?”

  Gini nodded, “He said so. I’ll just have to find him. But not until we’ve settled the lease. Can we do it today? I can’t wait to get started.”

  She did have to wait, though.

  Her father insisted on a water-tight contract, covering all aspects of the lease and all conceivable eventualities. So he warned her not to be too impatient.

  She made good use of the time making some frantic phone-calls to her Art College friends to discover who were still available to join her in the inevitable rush to produce enough garments of sufficient quality to stock her shop. Some, she knew were capable of hand-painting her designs onto the chosen fabrics or to help with other skills, such as cutting out, machine-sewing, hand-sewing and making some of the accessories. She’d need at least two helpers, she decided, as well as her mother’s and Christi’s promised help.

  Hugo appeared at the shop the day after she contacted him, whilst Gini was explaining what she wanted in the rebuilding and fit
tings to Jacques. He flicked a cobweb out of Gini’s hair.

  “Not quite my former idea of a fashion couturier!” he grinned, “but definitely more appealing!”

  Gini looked down at her faded dungarees and shabby checked shirt. She would have hated such as Vincent to see her clothed like this but, somehow, it didn’t bother her that Hugo found her so attired. His own frayed and cut-off shorts suited him perfectly. His tanned legs rippled with lean muscle and, when he wrapped his strong arms around her in playful teasing, any thoughts she had were not concerned with the attire of either of them!

  She contacted the warehouses where she had made provisional orders during her last few weeks at Art College, cancelling some of the more expensive fabrics and increasing the range of cottons, cambrics, linens and denim, thankful that she had kept the samples.

  Hugo took charge of organising his surfing friends into part-time working parties and Jacques organised them into clearing-out the rubbish and cleaning the emptied hull, whilst he himself sanded down the wooden walls, inside and out, working with the wood with practised skill and ease. Gini was pleased to see that the wood preserver enhanced the natural tones and textures to beyond her expectations and what she had ‘seen’ in her mind gradually became a reality for all to see.

  She worked happily alongside the men, accepting any task, however much it was likely to split her nails, cover her hair in dust or roughen her hands. It was her shop and she enjoyed every minute of it. Her enthusiasm was infectious, overcoming any initial doubts and, as the cabin was transformed from the derelict fishing tackle-shop into an attractive clothes shop, her belief in the project was seen to be justified.

  Hugo and his friends were willing labourers, accepting cash-in-hand for their work. Gini felt relaxed by their easy banter and casual attitude to life. They were free-spirited and servant to none, though she noticed a strong bond of loyalty present among them. They seemed to know when and where the high waves would be found and pledged their times of work accordingly, coming and going with mysterious rhythm.

  On occasions, at the end of the day, Gini went with them, learning new skills by watching their technique and following their advice. Her friendship with Hugo deepened, though nothing was spoken. She knew she looked forward to seeing him in the evenings and missed him on the nights they didn’t meet. Not that there was any time to be dejected. She had more than enough to keep her busy.