Last Resort (34 page)

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him the pain she did by denying him the right to see his sons, made Penny want to reach out to him in a way that suprised her.

She hadn't seen it before, maybe because she hadn't allowed herself to, but now she was sitting here thinking about it she realized that a real friendship

- unacknowledged, maybe, but none the less a friendship - had developed between them; and friends, at least in Penny's book, should talk to each other about things that were troubling them. Or maybe the friendship was just in her imagination, for there was no denying that lately David had quite definitely been shutting her out of his life.

And here comes the paranoia again, she admonished herself wearily. And wasn't she only concentrating on that particular fear because she didn't even want to think about what else was bothering her? There was still no sign of the Delaneys, the shop had been closed down and she'd just found out that day that the house next door was now for let. No one seemed to know where the Delaneys had gone or even if they were still in France.

The mystery of it was troubling her for reasons she wasn't in the least bit proud of, for vanishing into thin air the way they had had left her feeling strangely spurned, as though maybe she had done or said something, without even realizing it, that had driven them away. If she was right about that, then it could only mean that Christian had decided she wasn't to be trusted

... As the thought pushed a horrible sinking feeling into her heart she could only thank God that no one knew how she was fixating on a man she had barely even met, and when, just to think of it, turned her hot with embarrassment.

The next few issues of Nuance hit the stands, one of them bearing a glorious colour photograph of Princess Caroline on the cover and, inside, the exclusive interview she had given Penny. Sales were on the up and the chance of an interview with Luke Pleasance, the ageing

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rock star who was making something of a comeback, had arisen - no doubt another of David's contacts, Penny thought - which meant she'd have to go over to New York. Well, that didn't matter, there were plenty of other things she could find to do in New York. Besides, it wasn't until the beginning of December and it was now still only the end of October.

David, like the rest of the world, it seemed, had done another of his disappearing acts, but although, on the whole, things were running pretty smoothly, Penny had to admit, as she strolled into the production office to find out what Marielle and Mario, the advertising director, were screaming about, that she much preferred it when David was around.

As usual Marielle and Mario were fighting over a right-hand page and Penny was in the midst of refereeing, when Brigitte told her she was putting a call through to her office.

"He said it was personal,"

she explained as Penny looked at her curiously.

Penny's heart flipped.

"Is it David?"

she asked, surprised by how much she wanted to hear his voice.

Brigitte shook her head.

"He didn't give his name."

It was all Penny could do to stop herself running back to her desk. Of course by now she was thinking, hoping, it would be Christian Mureau, but, to her surprise, it was Wally Delaney.

"I'm fine/ she said in answer to his enquiry.

"How are you? Or maybe I should ask where are you?"

"Living over in Vallauris now,"

he barked.

"Settled in nicely. Bigger house. More room for Tilly to run around."

"Oh, that's good,"

Penny said, a dozen questions gathering on the tip of her tongue which dignity made her bite back.

"And how's Esther?"

Tes, yes, on splendid form,"

he answered.

"Got to ask if you like the ballet."

Penny blinked as she frowned. The ballet?"

she said.

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Tes, as it so happens, I love it. Why?"

"Got to ask if you want to go tomorrow night/ he replied.

"American ballet company. In Cannes. My employer wants to know if you want to go with him."

Penny sat down hard in her chair, her mind reeling with the shock of it.

"Well, yes,"

she said, stunned by the fact that it was Wally who was calling her, when he'd always been so dead set against her and Christian meeting.

"I'd love to go. Uh ..."

"Righto, then."

"Wally, before you go/ she said,

"why didn't he call me himself?"

"On his way down from Paris. Call you later or tomorrow, he said. Don't want you to think I approve, because I don't/ he told her sharply.

"Remember that/ and the line went dead.

Penny looked at the receiver and suddenly started to laugh. To hell with him and his approval! She and Christian were going to meet at last and as far as she was concerned that was all that mattered.

"Marielle!"

she shouted, putting the phone down.

"Marielle, I've got to talk to you/

"Something wrong?"

Marielle asked, all sweetness and light, as she appeared in the doorway.

"No, the reverse. I want you to tell me what people wear down here for the ballet. Better still, I want you to come shopping with me tomorrow to pick something out."

Marielle couldn't have looked more shocked if she'd tried. "You want me to go shopping with you?"

she said.

"That's what I said. You'll know all the best places and I want something...

well, something that's sexy but tasteful and you have the best dress sense of anyone I know."

Marielle preened at the compliment. Then we'll see what we can do/ she said, giving Penny the once-over.

"What time do we start?"

'How long will we need?"

As Marielle's eyebrows went up, her eyes narrowed.

"A few months ago I'd have said all day and even then we'd be pushing it, but I guess a morning will suffice the way you are now."

And with a sugary little smile she left.

After raiding virtually every boutique and designer shop on the rue d'Antibes for the perfect dress, shoes and matching jewellery, at Marielle's insistence Penny agreed to go home.

"I don't know who he is,"

Marielle said, as they walked back to the Noga Hilton car park,

"and I won't ask, but obviously this is a special date and you're not going to be able to concentrate on a thing. So off you go - and take a tip from me: whether or not you're intending to sleep with him on the first night, wear special underwear. At worst it will make you feel good; at best it will make him feel good. Is he French?"

"Yes, I guess you could say he is,"

Penny told her.

Marielle smiled.

"Be warned/ she said:

"not all Frenchmen are as good in bed as reputation has it; take it from one who knows. But whatever you do, don't let your disappointment show."

"Such negativity!"

Penny laughed.

"It takes two, Marielle, which I'm sure is something else you know."

"Or more,"

Marielle said smoothly.

"I'll take your word for that/ Penny told her and since she was in such a jubilant mood she kissed Marielle on both cheeks before going off to find her car.

Watching her disappear through the sliding plateglass doors of the hotel's shopping arcade, Marielle glanced at her watch and wondered who she should tell about this - Robert Stirling or David Villers? She almost laughed out loud. Why not let Stirling tell David? Now, wouldn't that be a neat little sting in the tale? Were Penny the Moon Canadian or American she'd know exactly who Christian Mureau was. But maybe Penny

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her waist had returned and those dreadful

"love handles"

had all but disappeared. Raising her eyes still further, she examined her breasts with their full, rosy nipples and the faint blue veins beneath the translucent skin. Turning to one side she checked their pertness, though she wasn't sure that breasts as large as hers could actually be pert. But yes, she reckoned they could, for her nipples were still on the northern slopes and anyway she'd always considered her breasts one of her best features -

providing, of course, the man in question liked big-breasted women. Would Christian? she wondered, as a shiver of pent-up desire coasted through her.

Again she laughed. Would he even get to see them?

She looked at her watch. Just after four. She had plenty of time before Wally came to collect her. Glancing out of the window she saw that the sun was shining, that the clouds blown in earlier had been swept out to sea by the wind. It was strange how she was feeling, she thought: kind of floaty and unattached and surprisingly calm. And, she thought wryly, not in the least bit professional.

She started as the telephone rang.

"Hello?"

she said huskily, wondering if it would be him again.

"Pen?"

"David!"

she said. Where are you?"

"At the apartment. I just got back. I called the office, they said you weren't in today. Is everything all right?"

Tes, everything's fine/ she laughed.

"Just fine. How are you?"

Teah, pretty good, I guess. Do you want to have some dinner tonight?"

"Oh, David, I'm'

"I could use the company/ he said.

Penny's heart fell. It was so unlike him to admit to a vulnerability that under any other circumstances she'd have cancelled everything to see him. But in this instance she couldn't.

"David, I'm really sorry/ she said.

"I've got

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t

other plans this evening. Maybe we could do it tomorrow?"

"Sure. OK/ he answered.

"Going somewhere special?"

To the ballet, actually."

"Sounds good. Well, you have yourself a great time. I'll speak to you tomorrow."

"David!"

she called.

"I'm still here."

"Are you all right? You sound a bit down."

"No, like I said, I'm pretty good/ he told her.

"Did Luke Pleasance come up with some dates yet for New York?"

"Yes. The beginning of December."

"Great. He's a good guy, you'll like him. Anyway, I guess I'd better be getting on with things. Enjoy the ballet/ he said, and rang off.

What bloody awful timing, Penny groaned to herself as she went to run the bath. Other than Christian Mureau there was no one in the world she'd rather see than David, especially when she wanted to close this distance that seemed to have crept between them lately.

Still, there would be other times, she told herself as a tremor of excitement swept through her. Tonight was a night she'd waited a long time for. She wasn't going to think about what David would say if he, or anyone else she knew for that matter, were to find out who she was meeting, because they would all undoubtedly tell her she was insane - which she probably was, but when had that ever stopped her before?

"Oh my, don't you look simply splendid!"

Esther declared when Penny pulled open the front door at sixthirty.

"Esther!"

Penny laughed, feeling ridiculously pleased and surprised to see her even though the old lady had called to say that she, not Wally, would be chauffering her into Cannes.

"Would you like a drink before we go?"

Penny offered,

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embracing her.

"No, no. No time for that. He'll be waiting. Do you have a coat? I think you should take a coat. There's a definite nip in the air tonight. Don't want you catching a chill now, do we?"

Smiling, Penny turned back inside to collect her coat and make one final check on her hair and make-up. She now knew, from the brief conversation she'd had with Esther earlier, that she had been right about the reason behind the Delaneys hasty departure from the house next door: Christian had got cold feet about trusting her and, suspecting that Esther was more influenced by Penny than was good for any of them, he had ordered the Delaneys out of harm's way.

The reason for his change of heart now was something Penny had yet to find out, but she had decided to ask Christian himself, rather than hear it second-hand from Esther.

It wasn't until some fifteen minutes later, as they were crossing the vote rapide to head down towards the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, that Penny realized how unusually quiet the old lady had become. Being in such a turmoil herself she'd been quite happy to spend the journey in silence, but now, glancing over at Esther, she couldn't help wondering what was going through her mind.

"Just a teensy bit worried,"

Esther answered when Penny asked.

"About what?"

"No, no. Nothing really."

Penny smiled as realization dawned.

"You're still afraid that my only motive for meeting him is to get a story, aren't you?"

she said.

Esther's eyes remained fixed on the road ahead.

"And if I don't get it,"

Penny went on,

"you're thinking that I will go to print with what I know anyway. Such as where he can be found these days and who's working for him to keep him out of the hands of the law."

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Esther blinked rapidly.

"It's all right/ Penny assured her,

"as far as I'm concerned, this is a date. I've left my journalist's hat at home."

Esther threw her a nervous smile.

"He's a good man/ she said.

"I think you'll enjoy your date."

A few minutes later they were parking the car beneath the Gray d'Albion Hotel.

"Wow!"

Penny exclaimed as Esther slipped off her coat.

"That's a great suit."

And for once it was, since its subtle colour and tailoring was much more becoming to a woman of Esther's age than her usual attire.

"Are you going somewhere when you leave here?"

Penny asked.

"Just out for dinner with Wally and a couple of friends. How are you feeling?"

She smiled, seeming to sense Penny's nerves.

"Don't ask/ Penny shivered.

Esther walked ahead into the lobby of the hotel, Penny close behind her. To the right was the bar with its luxurious carpets, brass rails and mirrors, an extension of the lobby. But Penny's eyes were sightless. For some peculiar reason she was trying to remember something she had read just a few days before, by Henry Miller. For a moment it felt as though it was the most important thing in the world to remember, but the words eluded her and then she wasn't thinking about it any more ...