The Chateau

Adrienne tightened her dressing gown and tilted her head.

‘It could be, but, it’s not like we’re right up in the mountains here. Maybe it’s all the stress.’

‘Mmm. Maybe. It’ll pass. Anyway,’ she said quickly changing the subject, ‘do you fancy a little boat trip, in, wow, about an hour and a half?’ Gina checked the time again on her phone, producing an enquiring face. ‘Ollie’s taking his mother. Thought we might like to join them.’

‘I don’t think so. I don’t feel like socialising again and, well, I don’t want to impose.’

‘That’s fine, Mum. I thought you did extremely well yesterday actually. He’s invited us, so that’s not imposing,’ Gina said, pulling a coffee cup from the cupboard.

‘No, but we only saw them yesterday.’

‘Well, yes. Do you want to do something else? Walk, shop or watch a film? Or we can just sit quietly?

Gina poured coffee and leaned against the kitchen cabinet quietly observing her mother. Although she had more colour and life in her cheeks, her eyes were telling a different story. They had lost their sparkle and it was breaking her heart. How could she leave her like this?

‘I think you quite like Ollie,’ said her mother flatly.

Caught by surprise, Gina blew out a laugh. ‘He’s OK. Better now than when we first met him. I’m sure he’s a bit of a player. He can be rather obnoxious at times. Anyway, they’re quite good company. Maybe you should ring Aunt Bernie or let me. She would want to help you, I know she would.’

‘I know. I must ring her. They usually come, oh God, today. I’ll ring her now.’

‘OK. I wonder if Dad’s been in touch with her.’

‘I don’t think so. She’d have been here like a shot. That’s why I didn’t want to tell her yet.’

‘Well, keep it short. Tell her you’re going out in ten minutes otherwise you will be on the phone all day.’

As she watched her mother swap chairs to use the phone, Gina knew Aunt Bernie would make a drama out of it, but it was no use putting it off. Although she was her father’s sister, she was more like a sister to Adrienne. She was always around, almost like a second mother to her and James as she never had any children of her own. She would certainly sympathise with her mother as much as she doted on George. Gina knew, however, her mother would need to prepare herself for drama as soon as Aunt Bernie was aware of what was going on.

Adrienne paused before she dialled the number and lifted her head with an audacious smile. ‘Gina, ring Ollie and tell him we’ll go.’

‘Oh. Are you sure, Mum?’ Gina stared in surprise.

‘Yes. I don’t want to sit and mope. I enjoyed Celine’s company yesterday.’

As soon as they stepped aboard the steamer, Gina gave out a sigh of delight. She hadn’t been on one for years, since the first time Max had visited. Ollie led his mother to a seat and straight away took out his camera. So like Max, he would do exactly that, she thought. In fact, that was what he had done. She still had the photos in their album. In those days, they’d been so close and inseparable. He never made any bones about visiting her parents like he did now.

Ollie seemed really considerate of his mother, making sure his mother was being looked after, which was rather sweet. After a short tour of the boat, they entered the dining suite. Gina and Ollie sat their mothers at window seats and Ollie ordered them a bottle of Johannisberg, a local white wine which he discovered they both favoured.

‘You kids go and take some air,’ Celine told them. ‘Us oldies will be fine.’

‘We’re OK here…’ Gina began.

Ollie beckoned with his head. ‘One thing you should know, my mother is a very forceful woman and she will get her way.’

‘Ha, that sounds like my daughter, Ollie. I bet your mother’s not a control freak like this little madam,’ Adrienne said with a smile.

‘Mum, I’m not a control freak,’ Gina squawked in mock annoyance.

Adrienne waved her palms in defeat. ‘Anyway, go on, go.’

Ollie led Gina up to the bow. His arm lightly leaning on her waist, instantly sending flurries of longing through her. Her body seemed to be highly sensitive lately.

‘Seems they want us out of their hair,’ he grinned, his hair blowing about his face. ‘It’s breezy out here though. Are you warm enough?’

Gina could hardly catch her breath and shrugged her indifference, swiping her hair back as it fell across her eyes. ‘Yeah, fine.’

‘Well, I’m hot, so you can snuggle up with me.’

Her eyes flashed. ‘Oh. I’m fine thank you,’ she nudged up the volume of her voice. That was an inviting suggestion but just as he was beginning to seem genuinely attentive and normal, she had to cringe at what seemed a really smarmy comment. Choosing to ignore it she kept the conversation polite. ‘I’m grateful. Your mother’s making such an effort to be friendly. I can’t thank her enough really. I’d have had trouble getting Mum up and out.’

‘My mother belongs to so many activity clubs that Dad’s not really interested in. And, living so close, it makes sense for them to get to know one another. They may have some interests in common which will get your mother out and occupied,’ Ollie said sliding his hand on Gina’s arm and squeezing it gently. ‘I wish I’d had more friends at home.’

‘Oh!’

‘I was always skiing or training. While we were in teams, I was more focused on winning than making friends. At school, I’d rather a book or studying than joining in with the boys.’

‘Not everyone needs friends, I suppose.’

‘I’ve since discovered I do.’ He lowered his head to her and his hand slipped back to her waist.

Gina caught the lust in his eyes and felt a squirm of delight run through her. She cleared her throat. ‘I hope my mother realises that too. That would be really great. I mean, I’ve asked her to come back to London with me but she won’t come. She’s rather stubborn.’

‘Give her time. Maybe, if she’s close to home, she’ll feel safe,’ he said pulling back and capturing her with his camera.

‘Oh God, Ollie, no. I hate my photo being taken.’

‘Like most people.’

‘I take horrific photos,’ she said, ruffling her hair with her fingers.

‘Looks good to me,’ he said, turning the screen around for her to look.

‘You were lucky. That’s not bad.’ She gave an approving nod while blocking out the light with her hand.

‘Max is a lucky one,’ he blurted then rapidly pursed his lips.

As her cheeks blushed, Gina laughed, clearing her throat. ‘Ha, then you don’t know me very well. You heard my mother.’

‘I like women who know what they want. There’s nothing worse than a person who can’t steer their own boat and depends on others to do it for them.’

‘True, but don’t you think some are a bit extreme. Too ambitious or take themselves too seriously?’

‘Of course, but I wouldn’t put you in that category. You obviously care about your mother and your family otherwise you wouldn’t be here. You’ve taken the time out of your business to help, to care. It’s getting the balance right.’

Gina raised her eyes. Maybe she wasn’t as extreme as she thought. Max was always accusing her of self-interest and being self-indulgent, especially when it came to wanting a child.

‘I do need to get back to my business, though. I’ll have to go in the morning. I’ll come back next week.’

‘Excellent, you’re enjoying my company, then?’ He clicked his camera again and sat back. ‘Fabulous, isn’t it.’

Gina peered at him in disbelief. He was obviously an intelligent man, why did he come out with these boastful remarks, she wondered, watching his casual easiness and, at the same time, finding herself admiring his hair being tossed by the breeze. His thick lashes harbouring the sunlight from his dark eyes as he changed the settings on his camera.

‘I think we should go back and join them,’ she said.

‘No, they’re fine. They don’t start serving lunch until twelve-thirty. It’s only twelve. We’ll be off soon. Do you fancy a drink? Beer?’

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