62
I pretend interest while listening to the French contestant as she goes on and on about her dance career, the highs and lows, her feet, her routines, her gruelling practice schedules.
We’ve dined in an air-conditioned, exclusive restaurant in Danang, and now we’re sitting on a candle-lit, specially-constructed setting at the end of a small pier, drinking champagne like it’s water.
I watch as a small bead of sweat runs from her neckline down her cleavage, mesmerised by its speed, another following close behind.
“Of course, I fit it all in with my deep-sea diving,” she says softly, shrugging.
I raise my eyes to hers as she catches my attention.
“Pardon?”
“Oh, yes. That’s why I didn’t drown in Seville, well, not too badly, and it’s also how I won the challenge in Australia, even though those horrible twins tried to murder me. I dive recreationally. I adore the sea.”
“Do you sail?”
“Of course, ooh la, la, I love a sailboat.”
I return her smile. It’s the first interesting thing she’s told me.
“So, in between your dancing and diving, what prompted you to participate in these Games, Valérie? You sound like you have a full life, rich with friends, family and fun.”
“Oh, I do, but I told you the first night. I came for you, for love, Jaguar. May I call you Jaguar?”
I nod and pour her another glass of champagne.
“I feel,” she goes on, keeping her eyes on mine, “it’s so much nicer to be on a first-name basis, isn’t it?
It shows how close we’re becoming. Ah, but as I was saying, I feel that my purpose in life is to love other people.
You must understand that? It’s in our blood; our French roots are built on romance. ”
I gulp my champagne and pour another. I’m sorely tempted to drink straight from the bottle.
‘Christ, it’s fucking hot here. When will this be over?’
“No,” I shake my head. “I don’t truly consider myself French any longer.
I spent most of my youth overseas, either at school or in the army, and my friends all live abroad.
I’ve never settled back on my family estate.
I’ve always moved around. I enjoy adventure, good conversation, the company of beautiful women, fine food and wine, but romance is not high on my list.”
‘Not any longer. Not ever again.’
The director throws his hands into the air in exasperation behind the cameras, and I can’t help but smirk.
“Adventure,” Valérie smiles, rising and swaying a little from the amount of champagne she’s consumed on an empty stomach, having hardly touched her meal earlier. “I love adventure too. I assure you, I’ll be the perfect companion for you in every way. You won’t lack adventure, my love.”
“I’m sure you’ll make a wonderful wife, Valérie. Now please sit down before you fall.”
“Oh, no. I’m going to prove it to you.” She shakes her head as she begins to unbutton her top.
‘Tonight just got more interesting.’
I turn to look at the director, expecting him to wind up the date, but he’s looking like a pug that’s just been thrown its favourite chew toy.
Sighing, I stand up and stop her hands with my own.
“What are you doing, Valérie?”
“We should skinny dip. Tonight, under the moon and the stars. Let’s swim naked together and find our way to love through adventure.”
“You don’t need to prove anything to me,” I shake my head.
“It’s so hot,” she whines, “and you’re so hot, my darling Jaguar. Swim with me.”
“I’ll swim, but not naked,” I murmur.
“Mon Dieu!” She giggles. “Are you shy?”
I snort and shake my head.
“Valérie, I’m thinking of you. It wouldn’t do for the world’s population to see a potential royal wife nude.”
“Of course,” she says, her eyes wide. “I apologise, Jaguar. I just want to make you happy, I want to show I can be adventurous, I didn’t mean to...”
As her voice winds up to a whine I put one finger to her lips and shake my head.
When she stills, I lean back and take my shirt off.
One hand flies to her mouth, her eyes wide as she stares at me appreciatively before recovering her half-drunk composure and continuing to undress, stripping down to little pink lace panties and a matching bra.
Physically, I can’t fault her. It’s just when she opens her mouth…
The director urges the cameras to pan in as Valérie takes my hand and we turn to plunge into the dark water off the end of the pier.
Rising to the surface, I float on my back enjoying the cool water against my skin and the bright full moon. This is the best I’ve felt all evening. I could happily spend all night just floating, my ears below the waterline, the world’s noise, and hers, muted.
But Valérie has other ideas. Laughing, she splashes me, shouting, ‘catch me if you can,’ as she turns to swim out to sea.
I laconically begin to follow, but she can’t be more than one hundred metres out when she makes a huge splash.
Her scream reaches me seconds later.
“Christ, what now?”
Swimming fast, I reach her as she begins to sink. Even though it’s night the amount of blood in the water is clearly visible as a dark, rapidly spreading stain.
“What?” She gasps. “What?”
“I don’t know,” I growl, scanning the water for sharks.
I turn three-sixty with her in my arms, seeing no obvious threat, before towing her quickly towards the shore. When my feet hit sand I lift her into my arms and carry her to the beach. Lying her down to inspect her wounds, it’s clear there’s not going to be any need for medics.
She’s almost been rent in two.
‘A sword did this. Christ, tonight just got MUCH more interesting.’
As the camera crew run up the beach and array themselves around us, I hold her up off the blood-stained sand and keep my eyes on hers as she stares wildly at the men filming, and begins to whimper.
“Shhhh, everything’s going to be fine, Valérie. Just look at me. Keep looking at me.”
“Why are they…? Oh, Mon Dieu, Mon Dieu. Why me? Why me? I don’t deserve this. I deserve love, you deserve me. Oh, this is not right, this is not fair…Jaguar.”
Her body twitches once, twice, and she’s still. As the light dies out in her eyes I lift her, carrying her away from the cameras.
She’s correct; it’s not fair and it’s not right, but those words could also be applied to the life story of the one who’d wielded the sword tonight.
One who claims she loves me and asserts there will be no other.