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‘Charlotte, this is Auntie Cally, do you remember when she came to your last birthday?’ Of course she didn’t, Evie didn’t know why she felt it necessary to humour her sister.
Charlotte’s eyes narrowed even further.
Cally gave Charlotte her sweetest smile. ‘I think I’ve just made her cross.’
‘She’s just woken up and isn’t sure who you are yet. Give her half an hour and she’ll be all over you.’
Poor Cally, Evie thought, but it was weird to think that, for once, she had more knowledge about something than her big sister.
‘Show Auntie Cally the picture of the ball.’
Charlotte sucked her bottom lip and shook her blonde curls.
‘Ok Auntie Cally. Come with me and we’ll get a drink. Charlotte, you can come and see us when you want to say hello.’
‘Mummy.’
‘I’m going to get Auntie Cally a drink. You can come too if you want.’
They left Charlotte on the sofa pondering and observing them with caution, book on her lap and cup in hand.
‘She’s so gorgeous.’ Cally clutched her heart as she followed Evie back to the kitchen.
‘Thank you. Have you heard from Mum?’
‘Oh, yes. I was going to text you yesterday, she’s fine. Probably drugged up to the eyeballs, but sounding so much better.’ Cally picked up the in-flight magazine from the chair, her mane of chocolate-brown hair tumbled to one side. ‘I’ve got one of these in my bag,’ she said holding up the magazine as Evie uncorked a bottle of white wine.
Evie glanced over. ‘It is yours. It fell onto the floor. I was reading… well, I started the article about the Canal du Midi. There’s barely anything interesting about the history or the local people who live and work around the canal, more about the village restaurants and cafes they can stroll to from their boat. I’ve learned so much about it since I’ve been living here, it’s fascinating.’
Cally heaved herself up on a stool at the shiny granite breakfast bar, watching her sister pour the cool golden liquid into two glasses. ‘I suspect that’s about it. Keeping the advertisers happy – they’ll want people to be off their boats and spending money in the villages rather than digging into its past.’
Evie placed the bottle back in the fridge and handed her sister a glass. ‘Unfortunately, you’re probably right. It would have been better to have added something of historical interest too. I mean, I’ve been delving deeper into the canal’s history and, flicking through this, there’s lots of potential for travel articles. Maybe I should submit something.’ Evie gasped, quite stunned at herself.
‘Go for it.’
‘Oh… I think I’m dreaming,’ she said whisking her hand to her mouth and chewing her nails. Could she really? She would certainly give it some thought. Though without a computer, she doubted it.
‘I’m surprised you haven’t been continuing with your writing.’
‘I’d like to, food for thought anyway. Thanks for coming.’ She raised her glass. ‘And here’s to us and a fresh start. Cheers.’
They chinked glasses.
‘Cheers.’
The oven buzzer sounded and Evie slammed down her glass and dashed for her oven gloves.
Cally sipped her wine. ‘Mmm, lovely, thanks. Well, perhaps that’s what you should be doing, sending out travel pieces on the area. Using those skills you got while you were at college, seems a waste not to. I’ve been thinking about re-training.’
‘What, give up DJ-ing?’ Evie said opening the oven door.
‘Well I can’t do it forever. I’ve been mixing and producing some stuff, but I don’t know. I think I should start planning a more solid future. Maybe go and teach Maths, or become an accountant. Get a real life. A bit like you and your writing; we’ve done the graft and the qualifications. What is it they say? Use it or lose it.’
‘The trouble is, I never really built up many contacts. I don’t know that I could start again.’
‘Well you’ve nothing to lose,’ Cally insisted.
As Evie took the cake and eased it gently out of the tin onto the cooling tray, she explained to her sister her new challenge.
‘Actually, I’m really excited. I’ve begun doing some research for a film about Pierre-Paul Riquet, the man who built the Canal du Midi.’
‘Really. How fascinating. How did that come about?’
After she told her about the accident at the bridge and the subsequent conversations with Ben, Cally looked horrified. ‘Jesus, Evie.’
Clutching her chest, Evie had to laugh. ‘But I am alive and grateful. In fact, it has been the wake-up call I needed.’ Evie then peeled greaseproof paper off the two sponges. It really had made her re-evaluate what was important, she realised.
‘What a relief you are ok. Bloody hell, Evie, what would you have done if you’d been killed? Charlotte would have been without a mother. I hope you have me down as your next-of-kin. Would Seb look after her? Don’t ever think Charlotte would be alone in this world, I’ll always be there for her. Jesus, that’s given me goosebumps.’
‘Well, thankfully it’s passed, but thank you. It’s something I need to discuss with Seb in more detail. Being nearby, I’ve asked my neighbour Suzanne to help if there was ever any such emergency. I’m sure she would let Seb know.’
‘It never struck my mind before now. God, I feel awful, Evie. I never imagined anything happening to you. But, you’re right, someone would need to get in touch with him. Of course, I’d be happy to help too if he needed someone to look after her. Ooh, it’s a horrible thought. Let’s change the subject.’
‘Well, I could give Suzanne your number too. Anyway, one good thing that came out of it is – I got to meet this guy Ben, and he’s keen for me to do his research… and pay me! Well, if he’s happy with it. It’s right up my street.’
‘Evie that’s great. I’m really happy for you. You’ll be thorough, I’ve no doubt about that. So how does it all fit exactly?’
‘Well, I’d read that a number of peasant women had been involved in the building of the canal because of their indigenous skills – so I told him, and he has asked me to explore that side of things to make his script more interesting.’ She licked her lips, ‘I haven’t told him it will be handwritten yet, but basically, if they helped design parts of the canal, he can’t completely overlook them in the film, can he? I don’t know much about his script. Maybe he’s making it high action, you know, all the macho-type of brawls in bars or fights on the land or holding back water, I don’t know.’ Evie threw the greasy wrappings into the steel bin in the corner by the French doors. Then thinking aloud she added, ‘Actually, I could type it up in the library and print it off. It’s just a one-off.
‘As a short-term measure, yes, it’s a good idea. But that’s so encouraging, you really should get back to your writing. Freelance would be ideal for you.’
‘I don’t know. I’ve never put it to the test. Possibly, something to think about for the future. It won’t get me out and about though, will it? I would like a job where I meet new people, waitressing or something. Wow, suddenly there’s so much I need to have a think about. I was just so shocked Ben asked me to do it, and pay me. A bit short-sighted really. It didn’t occur to me to turn it down because I didn’t have a computer.’
‘Ask Seb for a computer.’
‘Maybe.’ Evie tensed. She couldn’t admit to her sister that Seb had denied her a computer when she’d asked. And she really was racing ahead. Seb would object to her working anyway, so it was best not to go off at a tangent.
Cally appeared pensive. ‘You could have my old laptop actually. I would need to clean it up a bit, but it would be ideal for your writing. Do you have the internet here?’
Evie shook her head. She had not thought that far ahead. ‘No. But that would be great just to be able to use it for typing and storing files. I can then transfer them on a memory stick and print them at the library or set up an email account there and send them.’
‘It would be far easier with the internet here. At least you wouldn’t have to race out every time you need to send stuff. And you wouldn’t need to print it. Ask Seb for the internet.’
Like it was that easy. Evie feigned a smile and bit her lip. It would be hard to admit to any of her family the difficulties she’d had with Seb; the penny-pinching lifestyle, his meagre allowance, not to mention his restrictions. And she didn’t wish to sound ungrateful either. Wiping her forehead, Evie knew her sister would give her the I-told-you-so speech.
‘Seb’s not keen on me having anything more than the basics. I suppose he foots the bills. That’s another reason I need to find some work. I could really do with having a bit of extra money as well as a bit of independence.’
‘Really? I thought he provided everything you wanted. I mean, that man must be loaded! So, you don’t have the WAG champagne mornings or charity bashes, pamper days and all the usual millionaire lifestyle trappings?’
‘Blimey, no. I don’t think Seb’s that wealthy, not to that extent anyway. And I wouldn’t like that anyway.’ Evie clambered onto a stool next to her sister. The conversation was now becoming embarrassing and she knew her life would sound exactly as her sister and parents had predicted – that Seb was keeping her sweet to keep control and prevent any scandal. How she would have loved to have proved them wrong, but how could she?
‘I’m a bit surprised if I’m honest. ‘Cally climbed down and collected her bag from the hall, lifted out her phone and began searching the internet. ‘Ok, I’m sure you could get a cheap internet connection. It can go on your phone line. And the next time I come I’ll bring the laptop.’
‘There’s no house phone. Just my pay-as-you-go on this phone.’ Evie held up the old mobile.’
Cally’s eyes widened. ‘Are you kidding? That would be worth more as an antique. Have you even got a camera on there?’ Cally whipped it from her hand, inspecting the screen.
‘Sadly not.’
‘So, no photos of Charlotte?’
Evie shook her head and at the same time gasped. ‘Seb has some on his camera that he’ll print off!’
Cally’s eyebrows stayed fixed as she gave her an incredulous glare.
‘Suzanne has taken some with her phone. She said she will get some printed for me. And, Dad took some last year,’ Evie said hopelessly.
‘Seb can’t leave you a camera?’
Evie’s mouth twisted. It wasn’t something she’d considered early on. Seb had taken numerous photos when Charlotte was a baby but, she had to admit, he hadn’t taken any recently. ‘No. I keep meaning to ask him to leave one.’
‘Oh, Evie, that’s…’
‘Mummy.’ Charlotte sauntered up to the breakfast bar dividing the kitchen and living area.
Cally peered down at her niece as though longing to pick up the child.
‘Hello, poppet.’ Evie stepped down and lifted her to her lap with them at the breakfast bar.
‘I should have brought her another pressie as an ice-breaker,’ Cally told her. ‘I only bought a birthday present.’ She glanced down at her arm full of bangles and bracelets. ‘Can she play with these?’
‘Yes, it’s fine as long as we’re here to watch her.’
Charlotte was soon sitting on her auntie’s lap playing with the novelty costume bangles, slipping them on and off her arms. Evie was delighted that the girls were bonding and enjoyed watching them before going outside and setting the bench table up. She had prepared a colourful salad for lunch under the vine leaf shade.
‘Oh, that food looks divine, Evie.’ Cally carried Charlotte out to the table and kept her on her lap. ‘You are such a sweetie, just like your mummy.’
Hearing such endearing words from her sister brought a lump to Evie’s throat. She collected the wine glasses and placed them on the table before nestling in the seat facing Cally. She swallowed a sip of wine and, blinking back tears, chopped food onto Charlotte’s plate.
Cally squeezed her niece and at the same time kissed her cheek repeatedly, before sitting her in her highchair at the end of the table.
Evie battled to control the tear escaping down her cheek. It splashed, staining the table. If her sister had seen it, then thankfully she wasn’t fussing. They ate in silence.
Cally’s rapid jerk startled her. Evie frowned as her sister glared at the bushes a few feet away.
‘Hello.’ Cally leaped out of her seat, gripping her knife and racing to a boundary hedge. Leaning forward and stretching out her neck, she called, ‘I know you’re there.’
Chapter 9 (#ulink_31d43095-4f31-51c3-a41e-5ffe746f676b)
‘Here, hold Charlotte,’ Cally said, dashing back to Evie who was now on her feet, stunned and holding out her arms. Cally extracted Charlotte from her highchair and passed her to her mum.
‘You be careful,’ Evie warned as she heard a rustling on the other side of the tall shrubs, then a thump.
She watched as her sister unlocked the front gate and raced down the side of the property, where a path led to the canal. Tempted to run out after her, Evie turned and unbolted another gate by the table leading to the front of the house which faced the canal. She ran straight to the railing on the front terrace, flicking her head both ways along the grassy stretch beside the water. Only her sister appeared from the alley, gasping for breath.
‘Strange. Whoever it was must have jumped the fence into that garden. Probably still in there.’
Cally scrunched her hair with her hands and pulled it to one side. ‘Ok. Keep a watch on that gate this end, I’ll go back to the other.’
Several minutes later, Cally appeared on the terrace behind Evie. ‘He’s not coming out, is he?’
Evie felt the blood rush from her cheeks. ‘Clearly not, if it is a he?’
‘Yes, I’m sure it was a he. Dark hair, quite young. I just saw part of a face. Unnerving to say the least. Have you noticed anyone before?’
‘No. That cottage is being renovated. I doubt if it was Bram. Maybe it’s some paparazzi. That’ll please Seb – not! Go back to the back entrance and I’ll go and knock at the front. Hold Charlotte a moment, I need to climb out.’ Evie passed Charlotte to Cally and at the corner post hurled one leg over before leaning forward and kicking over the other. ‘Ouch. Not a recommended route,’ she said rubbing her inner thigh and taking Charlotte back before pottering off to the neighbouring gate.
Once in, Evie banged the door knocker twice, peeking her head to the side where a low picket fence edged the side and rear gardens. There was no sign of an intruder nor was there any answer from the cottage. Whoever it was could be in the back, but there was no way she could hurdle over the thicket of shrubs. She pondered whether to wait, hearing fast footsteps from the alley. Her sister appeared, almost breathless.
‘We missed him. He’d come out and was running down the track. I chased for a while but he was too fast. I saw him run down the road and hop onto a bike.’ Cally stopped to breathe. ‘He’s short, about our height I suppose, dark hair with jeans and a green t-shirt.’
‘Oh, Cally, bless you,’ Evie said, gripping her sister’s shoulder, ‘you’re so brave, running after him. I wonder if he’s from the press?’
Cally’s chest heaved and she pressed her hand to her collarbones. ‘Evie, he could be a menace, especially when you’re on your own here.’
‘But I’ve never seen anyone before. Maybe he was walking passed, was just having a nose, and panicked when he heard you call.’
‘You’re so trusting. Why did he run like hell, and why would he leave his bike down the road?’
Evie’s hand flew to her mouth and her stomach lurched. She took in a deep breath. ‘Shit. You’re right.’ Her hand curled around Charlotte. ‘That is weird behaviour. I’ll have to work out the security system. I have to admit, Seb’s a bit of an anorak when it comes to using the alarms and cameras. He did show me but I’m hopeless. But why would he be snooping? It can only be the press.’
Cally began walking and Evie followed, stopping to watch as her sister rolled over the railing to the terrace as simply as walking through a door. She handed Charlotte to Cally’s waiting arms and attempted the easy-looking manoeuvre with less dignity.
‘Ooh, ouch,’ she said, clambering off-balance to one side. ‘Out of practice, clearly.’
‘Perhaps he’s a stalker. I didn’t see him carrying a camera. We’ll have a look at your security, and keep your eyes peeled, anywhere, any time. Maybe we can catch him if you have CCTV.’
Evie scanned behind her as she held the gate open for Cally, who was still holding Charlotte. Immediately, she secured the lock and ran her fingers around her neck, pinching her hairline.
‘Ok, erm, right, did you lock the double gates?’
‘Yes.’
‘Let me get Charlotte a drink and I’ll get the security info – if I can remember where I’ve put it.’
‘Well let’s not spoil your lovely lunch but yes, priority afterwards, and then we can walk down to the supermarket and I’ll buy some more wine. Oh, have you got candles for the cake?’
Keeping a grip on her lip, Evie was only half listening. Would the press be onto them? ‘Ah, good think…’
