‘He told me he’d filled you in about the flashback … and he told me all about it, too.’
I said quietly, ‘I really believe it helped him, unburdening himself to me.’
‘It did.’ Harry cleared his throat. ‘Those two young Marines didn’t make it. They both died from their wounds.’
A feeling of dismay settled in the pit of my stomach. ‘He didn’t tell me,’ I said in a saddened voice. ‘And I didn’t dare ask.’
Harry sighed. ‘He’s okay. The one thing that still worries him is that you haven’t forgiven him for making you miss the plane from Kabul – that you didn’t get here in time to say goodbye to Tommy.’
‘I thought I’d made it clear that I don’t blame him. Not any more.’
‘Better tell him again.’ Harry moved closer, took hold of my hand, his eyes focused on me. ‘I’ve said this before, and so have your sisters. Tommy understood you were on your way, and then he had that massive second heart attack—’ Harry cut himself off, unable to finish the sentence, choked by emotion.
‘You miss him very much, Harry, I know that.’
‘Every day. And I will for the rest of my life. We worked together for over fifty years, and we’d known each other since we were young boys, of course. Tommy was my best friend as well …’
His sentence remained unfinished and I saw the tears glittering in Harry’s eyes. I was still holding his hand. I squeezed it, and we sat there for a long time, not speaking. And I knew he was thinking of Tommy, just as I was.
My father and Harry had always been there for each other, and I know it was Dad, with Mom’s help, who got Harry through his two divorces. Not to mention some of his more tumultuous love affairs.
TWENTY-SIX
My sisters and I had decided we must get dressed up and look glamorous for Tommy’s memorial dinner tonight. Our mother had been glamour personified, and Dad had always had a predilection for lovely women who put themselves together well: it was our way of honouring him.
Jessica and Cara were elegantly dressed more often than not, because they were in business. I was the one who was usually wearing trousers and a T-shirt, a trouser suit or my combat gear. I’d put the latter away a year ago, and I would never use those camouflage trousers, combat boots or that flak jacket ever again.
Now I sat in front of the mirror at my dressing table, adding finishing touches to my eye makeup. Before I put on my dress, I sprayed myself with Ma Griffe, one of my preferred scents, which Mom had sometimes used.
After slipping on my red dress, I stepped into my Manolo’s, a pair of black high-heeled satin pumps. I loved these shoes, and their red soles matched my silk dress. This had a V-neck, softly gathered skirt, and long sleeves that flared out slightly from elbow to wrist.
I never wore much jewellery, but I treasured the tank watch my parents had given me for my twenty-first birthday. Designed for evening wear, it had a black satin strap and tiny diamonds around the face. I admired it again as I put it on. The earrings I had chosen for tonight had been left to me by Mom; they were diamond flowers with a pearl drop, and I wore them proudly because they had been hers.
Looking in the mirror one last time, I decided I wasn’t so mousey after all. I had been outside a lot in the last few weeks, and my brown hair had become sun-streaked. It had an overall blonde sheen, was glossy and soft around my face. For once I was quite pleased with my appearance.
Walking across my bedroom, I went into Zac’s room to tell him I was going downstairs.
Zac was sitting in a chair, newspapers and magazines scattered on the floor. These he had bought earlier, when he had gone with Harry and Geoff for lunch in Nice. I was happy the TV wasn’t on.
Glancing up, he was slightly startled at the sight of me, and did a double take, then exclaimed, ‘Wow!’ and jumped to his feet, still staring at me. ‘Wow again! You’re spectacular tonight, Serena. Just fantastic.’
‘Thank you,’ I replied, smiling back at him.
‘You look very sexy in red.’
‘The dress was Mom’s. She gave it to me a few years ago,’ I answered. ‘It’s one of those dresses that never dates. Probably because it’s so simple. Her clothes fit me, you know, and I often borrowed her stuff.’
He grinned at me, a mischievous look flashing across his face. ‘One thing’s for certain, your sisters could never get into her clothes. They’re far too tall, bigger in build altogether. That should please you, Pidge, since I know how much it irks you that they look like your father.’
I laughed. ‘It’s true, they do, and certainly I don’t. But then I don’t look like Mom either.’
‘Actually, I disagree. You do have a look of Elizabeth at times,’ Zac said. ‘It has to do with a certain whimsical expression that occasionally flickers on your face; and you’re the same height she was, and you do have her build.’
‘Do you really think I have a look of Mom?’ I asked eagerly, staring at him.
‘I do, Serena, I honestly do.’ He walked over, took my hand, held it high, twirled me around. ‘You’ll be the star tonight.’
‘Oh, I don’t know about that,’ I answered quietly, but I was pleased by his reaction.
‘Oh, I do,’ he shot back, and winked flirtatiously.
‘You’re prejudiced.’
‘Listen, Pidge, I’m glad we’re not going out, that we’re having dinner here tonight.’
I glanced at him quickly, frowning. ‘You say that in a funny way, Zac. What are you getting at?’
‘The way you look, the earrings you’re wearing. You’d be in danger if you put one foot outside the door. You’d need a handful of bodyguards, and not only because of the diamonds.’
I couldn’t help laughing, then I explained, ‘Jessica, Cara and I decided to get dressed up – you know how Dad liked us to look glamorous. And so we took some of Mom’s jewellery out of the safe … actually, earrings she’d left us in her will.’
Zac threw me a questioning look. ‘I thought all your mother’s jewellery was sold. When Jessica held that auction at Stone’s years ago.’
‘The bulk of it was, but actually Mom had some other lovely pieces left, which are kept here for safety.’
‘I understand,’ he murmured, and drew me into his arms. Against my hair, he said, ‘Mmmm. You smell delicious. Let’s go to bed.’
‘Don’t be silly. I’ve got to go downstairs to help my sisters,’ I replied, kissing his cheek. ‘You don’t have to come down for another hour,’ I told him as I closed the door behind me.
Jessica was alone in the peach sitting room. As I hurried in, asking her where Cara was, she swung around to face me, smiling. ‘She’ll be down in a minute or two,’ she said, coming towards me. ‘Pidge, you look lovely. Red really does suit you.’
‘Zac just told me I look very sexy,’ I confided.
‘He’s right, and by the way, everything seems to be good between you. I’m glad you made the decision to get back together.’
‘I think it might well be a battlefield at times, because we’re both strong willed and independent. But we also know when to call a truce. And hey, you look great, Jess. I love Mom’s aquamarine earrings with your royal blue dress.’
‘Thanks. And it was Mom, of course, who said I should wear them with every different shade of blue, but never with black.’
We walked over to the window and looked out at the terrace, and I said, ‘I think we’re better off having drinks inside tonight. Those are heavy clouds out there. It might rain.’
Jess nodded. ‘Stormy weather predicted.’
I turned to her, and gave her a penetrating look. ‘Did you call Allen Lambert?’
‘No, because he called me from London. He can’t come to Nice before tomorrow night, because of some business. So I never mentioned the dinner this evening. What was the point?’
‘He is coming to lunch on Sunday, isn’t he?’
‘He is, and he can’t wait to meet you. Let’s light all these little votive candles, and when Cara come
s down she’ll place the orchids where she wants them.’
Once we’d finished with the candles, Jessica asked, ‘Should I light the fire? What do you think?’
‘Absolutely. There’s a bit of a nip in the air tonight, and anyway I like a fire, it’s so cheerful.’
Whilst Jessica hovered around the fire with the box of matches, I walked around the sitting room, looking everything over.
The room was typical of our mother’s decorating. It was a mixture of peach, cream and pale blue, with bright accent colours of scarlet and delphinium blue in the cushions. Big overstuffed sofas and several French antique bergère chairs gave the room a comfortable welcoming feeling, and the porcelain lamps and lovely paintings added to its overall charm.
I paused when I came to the dark wood Provençal table placed against a wall. Earlier, we had arranged our favourite photographs of Mom and Dad on it, and as I stood gazing at their images I found myself choking up. I swallowed and moved away swiftly.
Once I’d composed myself, I turned around and noticed my sister watching me. Cocking my head on one side, I asked, ‘Why are you staring at me so intently?’
‘You’re like Mom. There you are, checking that everything’s in order, just as she used to do before guests arrived.’
‘I guess I picked up the habit from her.’ I swung around as Cara hurried across the hall, her high heels clicking against the wood floor.
I thought she looked her very best tonight, and told her so. She was wearing an emerald green silk cocktail dress and emerald-and-diamond chandelier earrings, which had been Mom’s. Her black hair was in an up-do, to show them off properly.
Jessica said, ‘You look great, Cara. You and Serena have done Dad proud.’
‘And so have you, Jess.’ Cara laughed. ‘I was going to wear white tonight. I’m glad I didn’t. We would have looked like a flag.’
There was a moment’s pause, before she said in a more serious tone, ‘Our earrings would bring a great deal of money if they were auctioned off. Why don’t you do that, Jess? Have an auction of all the stuff in Mom’s safe? We could certainly make good use of the money.’
I was astonished by these remarks, and I looked from Cara to Jessica. I realized I was not the only one surprised. Jessica was obviously taken aback by Cara’s words, and was staring at her twin.
Although I wanted to know more about why we needed money, I decided it would be wiser to keep my mouth shut for the moment. Trust Cara to be the bearer of bad news as usual, I thought.
Jessica finally answered. ‘I’d planned to speak to you and Serena next week, Cara. About holding an auction. But I hadn’t wanted to go there until after the dinner tonight. Since you’ve brought it up now, I have to tell you I think it’s a good idea. None of us wear any of the remaining pieces of Mom’s jewellery, because they are too important and valuable. And it’s just too dangerous today anyway, unless we’re at a private party.’
‘I agree,’ Cara said. ‘It’s all sitting there in the safe, not doing anybody any good, and we do need the money.’
‘Why do we need the money?’ I asked, jumping right in and sounding a little shrill. ‘And why haven’t you told me this before?’
It was Jessica who answered at once, in a soothing tone. ‘We don’t need money to live on, Pidge. I have a good salary from Stone’s, and the auction house is doing well – is in profit. And Cara’s in the same position with her orchid business. We need money for the house. It’s very old, as you know, and needs a lot of work. Sections of the roof are leaking, the plumbing is worn out; all kinds of things need replacing. That’s why we could use some extra cash … for Jardin des Fleurs.’
‘I understand,’ I said. ‘So go ahead, plan an auction, Jess.’
Cara exclaimed, ‘Well, I’m certainly glad I brought up the idea of selling the jewels, and thank God we’re all in agreement. We’ll talk about it tomorrow. Right now, I need to deal with the orchids.’ She walked over to the crate of plants in the doorway.
‘Let’s you and I go into the kitchen,’ Jessica announced, taking hold of my arm. ‘I have Adeline keeping an eye on things, but I’d better go and check the rack of lamb.’
As we walked out together, I wondered if my sisters had told me the truth. Did they really need the money for repairs to the house? Or were they short of cash themselves? And were their businesses doing as well as they said?
They would never lie to me. On the other hand, they were both protective because I was the youngest, and they had been known to fudge things in the past for that reason.
TWENTY-SEVEN
‘I’ve read the chapters again, Serena,’ Harry said, ‘and you’re off to a good start with the biography of Tommy. Just keep going, honey.’ He touched his champagne flute to mine and beamed at me. ‘And congratulations.’
I took a sip of the pink Veuve Clicquot, and felt a little rush of pleasure at his words. ‘I’m so thrilled you like it, Harry. You’re the only person whose judgement I really trust.’
‘I’ve made a few notes that might be useful to you, I’ll give them to you later, and you know I’ll help you any way I can. And I also hope you can get back to your writing soon.’
‘Next week, I think. Zac’s going to start working on Dad’s photographic book, and I believe that will be good for him. It’s something for him to focus on.’
‘He needs that, although he seems to be coping well. Better than I thought he would.’ He drew me to him, gave me a hug. ‘You’re the best, Serena, just like Tommy. Loyal, dependable and constant. I had a good talk with Zac over lunch today, and he finally agreed to see Dr Biron, admitted he needed medical help.’ Harry gave me a knowing look. ‘That’s a good sign. I told him Daniel Biron helped me and your father. He’s a great psychiatrist, and he has a good understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder, better than any other doctor I know.’
Harry’s cell phone began to ring and he stepped over to the coffee table, picked it up, stood talking for a moment or two. I realized at once that it was the London office calling him, and that it was Annie Stewart just checking in with him before going home.
We were standing in front of the blazing fire in the peach sitting room, just the two of us. Once again, I thought how good Harry looked. He was wearing dark grey trousers, a blue, open-necked shirt, and a deeper blue cable-knit cardigan I’d given him for Christmas.
Once he’d clicked off his phone, I told him about the discussion I’d had earlier with the twins, about Mom’s remaining jewellery and auctioning it off.
A look of surprise flickered in his deep blue eyes for a moment. ‘Well, why not? The world has changed. Only celebrities wear stuff like that these days.’ He grinned. ‘Also the Chinese. Luxury goods appeal to them, and especially jewels. She should get good prices if she focuses on the Asian market.’
‘That’s exactly what Jess was saying when I was in the kitchen with her. So we’re definitely going to do it.’
‘I’m all in favour, and listen, if Jessica needs the money to do the repair work immediately, I’ll give it to her.’
‘No, no, that’s not necessary, and anyway, I can advance it if she needs it now.’ I threw him a pointed look and asked, ‘Did Dad ever mention to you that the roof needed repairs?’
Harry shook his head. ‘No, but your mother and I had a discussion about her jewellery a couple of years before she died. She had thought of having another auction, but she changed her mind. She said she’d decided to leave the remaining pieces to her three girls, just in case there was ever a rainy day, as she put it. And I guess that’s now.’
I began to laugh and Harry did too, and said, ‘A leaking roof and bad plumbing would be the last thing on Tommy’s mind, by the way, and you know that as well as I do.’
‘You’re right. It was Mom who was usually on top of these things.’
I heard the click-click of Cara’s high heels again, and a moment later she swanned into the sitting room, moving elegantly across the floor. When she drew closer t
o Harry she broke into smiles.
‘Why, Uncle Harry, you look scrumptious!’ she exclaimed, and gave him a bear hug. ‘And that shirt certainly matches your eyes. Good choice.’
‘Forget the “Uncle” bit,’ he said, grinning. ‘You haven’t called me uncle since you were four. And I must compliment you on these orchids.’ He swung his head, waved his hand at them. ‘They’re spectacular – I’ve never seen anything like them. Where did these very colourful specimens originate?’
‘Oh thank you, Harry. Some came from Africa, others from South America, several from Asia. They’re very rare.’ Cara paused, and turned around as Geoff walked into the room.
If Harry hadn’t noticed it, I might have thought that I’d imagined it. But he said I hadn’t, that he’d witnessed it too, the way Cara and Geoff looked at each other. Harry also said to me later that the most powerful exchanges can happen in a split second. Two people look into each other’s eyes, and wham! They instantly understand they’re on the very same wavelength. Nothing needs to be said. They’ve got it. And they get each other. Get where they’re coming from.
And so there they stood, gaping at each other.
I can’t believe this, Geoff of all people, I thought, as I rushed over to introduce them. ‘There you are, Geoff!’ I exclaimed. ‘This is Cara, she was in St Tropez when you arrived yesterday, and this is Geoff Barnes, Cara.’
She thrust her hand out at him and said, ‘I think we’ve met before.’
Geoff looked startled. He took her hand, flushed slightly. ‘Oh, but we haven’t. I would have remembered you,’ he gushed. ‘I really would. You’re … well, you’re unforgettable.’
I winced at his words, and stared at Cara, who was flushed also, and smiling at him in that simpering way of hers. I looked at Harry, my eyes wide in astonishment. He winked at me, crossed the floor to the ice bucket on the drinks’ table, lifted out the bottle of champagne and poured two glasses, taking them over to Cara and Geoff.
They thanked him, and Harry said, ‘Feast your eyes, Geoff.’ He paused, bit back a smile, as Geoff continued to gaze as if mesmerized at Cara. ‘On the orchids, Geoff. They’re from Cara’s greenhouses. Aren’t they superb?’
Secrets From the Past Page 15