Escape to the French Riviera

Chapter Thirty-Six

I am surprised when Danny agrees to fly out with James two days later, especially since he is running the business. But as James has agreed, Danny has hopped straight on a flight too. I only hope that it’s not because he’s worried that I am getting too close to his dad, and I pray he will at least be civil to me in front of Jasmine and Poppy.

I can’t help but feel nervous as Elias goes to the airport to pick up his sons, although the little kitten, Marmalade, consoles me. It was a collective decision to call him this because of his ginger colouring and the marmalade Renee from next door brings around. The name seems to suit him. He happily meows when he sees me, which I have a feeling might be a nicer greeting than I am going to get from Danny.

Jasmine and Poppy are sunbathing out by the pool, and I am petting and talking nonsense to Marmalade when I see Elias’s car pull up. I hadn’t planned on being on the doorstep when they arrived as I was pretty sure I would not be the first person Danny wanted to see. However, I wave and try to smile at Danny and James as they get out of the car.

‘Hi there,’ I shout across.

I think I hear a grunt from James, but Danny doesn’t look at me.

‘Guess what I picked up on the way to the airport?’ says Elias with a big smile.

‘Ooh, I don’t know.’

He removes the boys’ bags from the boot of the car and then pulls out a lovely blue cat bed, patterned with little black paw prints.

‘You bought Marmalade a cat bed? It’s perfect – I was just thinking we needed to get one for him.’

Yet again, we think alike. Now if only the boys can see how well suited we are. But, looking at Danny, who has walked straight past me and darted into the villa, I can’t see how I am going to get around this. What hope do I have when he didn’t even say hello to Marmalade!

For the rest of the day, I try to figure out how to handle him. If I try to be nice to him, it seems to aggravate him further. Sometimes, when the girls are in one of their funny moods, they are best left to their own devices, so that is what I do with Danny.

I promised myself I’d finally send my book out to my dream publishers and agents while the girls sunbathe, and I let the boys settle in. So, I figure I’ll try to make small talk with him this evening at the barbecue we have planned. Hopefully, my happiness will be contagious as I celebrate sending my book out. I press send on the last submission on my list and blow the email a kiss for luck. I have a good feeling about this one.

I can see from the study window that James is by the pool sitting with Poppy. They seem to be getting along, and I watch Poppy as she playfully hits him over the head with a pool noodle. If only it were as easy as hitting Danny over the head with a noodle to bond with him, but I can see how hard it is for him to accept me. It is similar to how the girls struggled with Elias at the start and will no doubt take time.

I notice there is no sign of Danny or Jasmine. It is only when I am closing the laptop that I hear Jasmine’s wedges banging against the tiles.

‘Come in here,’ she says to someone.

I listen to the male voice and realise it is Danny.

Oh, my goodness. She is taking Danny into her room? Please let it not be the worst imaginable scenario here. She hardly knows him!

I open the study door and leave it slightly ajar as I listen in. I promised I would stop snooping, but this involves Danny and my daughter. The rules are out of the window. I listen to their conversation, hardly breathing in case I miss something.

‘How old was your mam?’ says Jasmine.

I hear Danny tell her how she was only forty-nine.

‘She’ll never see her grandkids; she never saw James go to uni. It’s not fair. She was so kind. She was a mum in a million. I can’t get over it,’ says Danny.

‘No, that’s awful. I can’t imagine what it’d be like if I lost my mam. I’d never manage.’

‘You do what you have to in order to cope. You take each day as it comes. There’s no other choice.’

‘Yeah, I suppose. How awful. I suppose it doesn’t matter what you do, it’s always on your mind.’

‘Always. You know, when my dad won the lottery, it was amazing. For five minutes we were screaming and over the moon, but only for five minutes. When we calmed down and got over the shock, we quickly went back to thinking about Mum. The woman who should have been celebrating with us but was in her final days. All she ever wanted was for Dad to take it easy after his heart attack. Before Mum got sick, we never thought that Dad would make a full recovery and she would end up dying before him.’

Poor Danny, it’s not been easy for him. No wonder he can’t accept me. Inside, he is hurting so much.

‘I’m so sorry you’ve had such a tough time. But I’m sure your mother wouldn’t want you to be sad. I know my mam wouldn’t. She’s the bestest mam you could ever have. All she wants is for me and Poppy to be happy and live our dreams. We don’t always appreciate her, and I feel so bad now after what happened to your mum. She sounds amazing.’

Hearing how Jasmine talks about me leaves me feeling emotional. I never expected them to have such a deep conversation.

‘Yeah, my mum was truly amazing. That’s why I find it difficult to see Dad with someone else. He should be with Mum now enjoying their retirement.’

I step back and lean against the wall as I eavesdrop. Hearing him say this reiterates everything I thought. No wonder the poor lad has been so distant and hostile towards me.

‘But it’s not your dad’s fault, or my mam’s, that they’re together. I’m sure, just like you, your mum would want your dad to be happy. Would she want him miserable being on his own all his life? It was hard for me to see my mam and dad separate. I even tried to get them back together, but then I realised Dad had been a jerk to Mam and she didn’t deserve that.’

Since when did Jasmine become so sensible?

‘No. You’re right. I’ve been unfair. It’s just that Dad could attract all sorts of gold diggers if they know what he’s got. I can see your mother isn’t like them. She wouldn’t have raised such a nice daughter if she was.’

Tears spring to my eyes as I listen to the two of them talk about giving me a chance.

‘I did notice she was very kind to that kitten outside. I wanted to stop and say something and have a look at it, but I didn’t know what to say. I’ve been so mean to her that she might not forgive me.’

‘Oh, she’s very forgiving. I promise. My mam doesn’t hold a grudge. Unless you manage to ruin her brand-new top. She doesn’t forget things like that.’

They both laugh and I join them with a giggle.

‘What was that?’ asks Danny.

‘What?’

‘I thought I heard someone laugh outside. God, I hope no one’s overheard our conversation.’

‘No, everyone’s down by the pool.’

‘Are you sure?’ Danny pops his head out of the room and sees me at the side of the door. Sheepishly I smile at him while cursing myself as I realise that I have been caught snooping about yet again. I just hope he doesn’t tell his dad.