Chapter 6
6
The morning of Oscar’s cremation Agnes sat out in the garden deep in thought, half listening to the dawn chorus and watching the sky turn blue as the sunrise with its pink and red overtones faded away when the sun was fully risen. She remembered so many mornings she’d sat out here down through the years; sometimes psyching herself up to get on with the way her life as it was and other, better times, sitting and simply enjoying the early morning quiet before she began her busy day. Today was not a psyching-herself-up kind of day. It was more a deep-breath-of-relief kind of day; relief that she had given up ever hoping to feel. She had to hold on firmly to the knowledge that she had Francine, the pride and joy of her life and now she was finally free of Oscar, the biggest mistake of her life.
Her conversation with Theo late last night after Francine and Edwin had gone to bed drifted into her mind. Dear Theo, her greatest supporter down the years against his own brother. As brothers went they were chalk and cheese, good versus evil. Having Theo in her life, even at a distance most of the time, had meant so much to her. She’d been hoping that Theo would be able to tell her more than he’d said in his earlier phone call. Something that he might not have wanted her to tell Francine. But for once he’d failed to reassure her, insisting that he had no more information.
‘The notaire, he will tell us everything,’ he kept repeating. ‘It is better that way.’ There was a pause before he continued.
‘I am looking forward to the three of you being here next week,’ he said quietly. ‘Even though I know it will be très difficile for you returning after such a long absence. For Francine and Zazz not so much, but I hope you know I will help you all in whatever ways I can.’
Agnes had murmured her thanks before quietly saying goodnight and ending the call. She’d been left with the strong impression that Theo did know more than he was admitting but for some obscure reason was not prepared to confide in her as he would normally. They’d been so close once…
She and Oscar had been engaged a couple of weeks, when Theo returned to Cannes after a band tour that had taken him all over Europe. As brothers the two of them couldn’t have been more different in either looks or personality. Oscar, as the elder brother, had inherited the family property business. A prosperous well-established business that continued to thrive for several years under his control. Theo, a talented musician who played both the piano and the saxophone, was part of a successful rock band and was away performing for months at a time. His life at the time was a nomadic one and Oscar made no secret of the fact that he was of the opinion it was time his younger brother grew up and found a proper job.
Agnes quickly realised how much she liked Theo. How much more she had in common with him than with Oscar. Theo lit up the room for her as soon as he entered in a way that Oscar failed to do. Nearer her age than Oscar, the two of them quickly developed a strong friendship. Agnes even found herself wishing that she was marrying Theo. A thought she quickly pushed away, determining to tell Oscar again she didn’t want to marry him and break off their engagement. The first time she tried to give him the ring back, he’d just looked at her and said, ‘Don’t be silly.’ Somehow she had to make him understand she meant what she said. She also vowed to spend less time with Theo. Being accused of leading him on when she was engaged to his brother wasn’t something she wanted to happen.
After a particularly boring evening with some of Oscar’s friends, where she’d spent the time secretly planning to give him the ring back as he walked her home, another couple accompanied them most of the way and it was impossible to do or say anything. She stifled a sigh, she’d missed her opportunity again. Oscar turned to her as they said goodnight at the door of her parents’ house.
‘You have a busy month ahead. I have to go away for a week or two but I’ve decided on the date of our wedding, so you’ll have lots to keep you busy and out of mischief. In a month’s time you will become my wife. Your parents are pleased.’ He gave her a quick kiss. ‘Goodnight. Sleep well.’ And he was gone before she could open her mouth to protest.
She stared after him, speechless. Why was everyone taking these decisions without her? What had happened to their six-month engagement? It was barely a month old. Why couldn’t her parents have discussed it with her first? It was her life they were giving scant regard to. Didn’t they care about her future happiness? All her father seemed to care about was marrying her off quickly to an outwardly successful man and basking in his status.
Agnes went indoors in a daze promising herself that she’d talk to her parents first thing in the morning. Surely they would listen and understand, if she put into words how worried she was about her impending marriage and how she didn’t love Oscar and needed their help to break off the engagement. Even with their help she knew it would be difficult to stop this rollercoaster of a wedding. The one person she longed to talk to about it, Theo, and ask his advice, was of course an impossibility.
But it was stopping the wedding that would prove to be impossible.