Читать книгу The Chateau - Karen Aldous - Страница 18

Chapter 9

Ollie couldn’t hide his pleasure as the evening drew to a close. His plan had gone much better than he’d dared hope. Both their mothers had chatted in his mother’s conservatory like old friends and even discussed their relationship difficulties, which gave him an excuse to offer Gina an escape to the sitting room so that he could steal some time alone with her.

He found her exciting to be around and he was hungry to get to know her. Yes, she had expertise in the property business but she was far more than that. She lit his world when she appeared, her beautiful olive green eyes shone straight into his heart. As he’d sat opposite her listening to her speak of Max, he could only feel envious of this man who had secured her love, her attention. How he longed to run his fingers through that long dark hair and take her in his arms, claim her as his own. And, even though she was off limits and looking forward to starting a family with Max, she was a real tonic to be around and that was all he would ask, for now at least. She wasn’t married after all. He couldn’t help but sense a mutual attraction. What he had to do now was relax, keep calm. Try to act mature. There were surely no excuses for being shy at his age. He might have thought he was as a boy but he was a man now, for God sake. And she was too precious. He was sure it wasn’t just one-way. Plus, he’d made headway; she’d made him feel useful admitting she was grateful for his help.

Up early the next morning, Ollie, still wallowing in his pleasant memories of the night before, almost forgot his camera. He shot back to his apartment and picked up the rucksack placed on his chair. He strolled along the promenade to his site with more bounce in his heels than a ball. Feeling the cooler autumnal air steal warmth from his cheeks, he breathed in the beauty of the still lake and watched as ripples began to stir it. The mist was clearing and hazy beams dashed the sky through heavy cloud. It appeared threatening but Ollie knew only too well how the lake and mountains thrived on drama.

‘Bonjour, Thomas,’ he said, reaching the site and clambering over newly dug turf. ‘Good to see the landscaping’s started,’ he said, shaking hands with the hefty redhead, whose hands nearly crushed his.

‘Yes, they’ve only been here an hour and mapped it out already.’

‘Good. I would like to get some images as soon as I can. I’m enlisting some help to sell them.’

‘Do you need help? There seems a lot of interest in them already.’ Thomas shot Ollie a frown.

‘Well, I thought a wider audience might increase demand, drive prices a bit more, so they’ll be marketed from London too.’

‘Would this have anything to do with a certain young lady you were telling me about last week?’ smirked Thomas.

Ollie winked and produced a devious smile. ‘One can try.’

‘Ollie Martin, it will end in tears. She’s virtually married, you said.’

‘Yes, but since she’s been here again, I’ve become smitten.’

‘Look, I’d love to see my best mate happy, believe me, but you can’t hope that she’ll finish a long-term relationship. Married or not. I’d kill any man who dared to make a play for my wife.’ Thomas shook his head like a disgusted father. ‘I think you’re heading for trouble, to be honest.’

Ollie stared open mouthed at his foreman and friend. ‘Well, that’s honest. Maybe, you’re right but I still think she could be good for business.’

Thomas was right to some extent, Ollie figured. Gina was in a solid relationship. He needed to pale his enthusiasm. He’d been tempted to tell her exactly how he felt but he couldn’t risk scaring her off. He was just getting to know her and she him. Surely if he could prove that he wasn’t really the loudmouth she’d thought, she might fall deeply in love with him. Ha, fat chance! Stop kidding yourself. She was definitely a beauty and she’d be typical of the type to reject him. He would rather they be friends and business associates than risk getting hurt and humiliated.

It was so frustrating. After all, he had a lot to offer a woman particularly now he was growing his business independently of his father’s. He’d grown up and felt the time was right. He didn’t just want any woman however. Those that came easy weren’t worth it. He wanted Gina. Yes, their chemistry was explosive and she was stunning but she was everything else he admired too: bags of confidence and personality, a big heart and successfully independent.

If he could prove himself first, stick his neck out and show her how good he was at his business, help her with her mother, perhaps he could hope. Hope that she would find him irresistible.

He unzipped his rucksack and pulled out his SLR camera.

‘I can’t wait to get some internal shots for the brochures. I’ll need to wait a few days for that though. I thought I would get a few of the site in progress. This being my first project. And, once that sun breaks through, I’ll get some of the lake too. That’s what they’re all about, eh?’

‘I’d like to think it’s the quality of build and specification, myself.’ Thomas folded his arms and widened his stance.

‘I have upset you this morning, haven’t I, Thomas?’

Thomas, let his arms go limp. ‘No,’ he chuckled scratching his neck. ‘No, I don’t think it’s you. I’m just a bear with a sore head this morning. The kids were up in the night. Well, one of them was sick and woke the other one and then we were all up.’

‘Look mate, if you want to go and get your head down, I’ll keep an eye on things here.’

‘Thanks but I’ll be OK. It’s not the first time and I’m sure it won’t be the last.’

‘The joys of parenthood, eh! Can’t wait.’ Ollie patted his friend’s arm and imagined himself plodding along the lakeside with a toddler. Perhaps Gina’s child.

‘They certainly have their rewards,’ Thomas admitted.

‘I’m sure. Well, one day. Anyway, do you need me for anything? I want to get these photos and get on with getting everything together for the brochure.’

‘No. All is well at mission control.’

Ollie clambered back down to the lake and photographed scenes of the lake and items he thought would make interesting images: the pieces of art along the waterside that fascinated him, an array of the numerous flower beds nestled beside the lake made excellent foreground colour to the water and mountains beyond, and the famous Freddie Mercury statue, the icon of Montreux. It then occurred to him to take some of the Château de Chillon but he preferred to have some images from different angles to add variation. As an idea came to mind, he took out his phone he texted Gina.

***

‘I think that was your phone bleeping,’ said Adrienne as Gina entered the living room freshly showered and dressed but yawning.

Gina half-smiled, trying to muster up her energy. It was difficult without much sleep. Vivid images had returned disturbing her night again and playing havoc with her mind, not to mention her nerves. Her mouth dried at the thought of them. They repeatedly played in her head. It was the imprisoned woman crouched, grinding back and forth on her iron handcuff with a sharp rock or some similar object. The stone rhythmically filing into thick iron barely scratched the surface yet the screeching sound and movement was relentless. And, if that wasn’t enough, a foul odour wafted under her nose. Gina couldn’t help but feel something very eerie or sinister was going on and she was becoming seriously concerned.

‘I’ll check. I also need to get a flight booked for the morning. Why don’t you come back with me?’

‘I told you, I want to stay here.’

‘But, Mum, I really don’t want to leave you here alone. And, I might be able to arrange to see Daisy and Gracie, they will cheer you up, for sure.’

Reading the messages on her phone, Gina pursed her lips and widened her heavy eyes.

‘You look tired, Gina? Are you not sleeping very well?’

‘Mmm,’ she muttered distractedly. Then focusing her eyes on her mother she admitted, ‘Just having some weird dreams again. I’m sure it’s this altitude.’

Adrienne tightened her dressing gown and tilted her head.

‘It could be, but, it’s not like we’re right up in the mountains here. Maybe it’s all the stress.’

‘Mmm. Maybe. It’ll pass. Anyway,’ she said quickly changing the subject, ‘do you fancy a little boat trip, in, wow, about an hour and a half?’ Gina checked the time again on her phone, producing an enquiring face. ‘Ollie’s taking his mother. Thought we might like to join them.’

‘I don’t think so. I don’t feel like socialising again and, well, I don’t want to impose.’

‘That’s fine, Mum. I thought you did extremely well yesterday actually. He’s invited us, so that’s not imposing,’ Gina said, pulling a coffee cup from the cupboard.

‘No, but we only saw them yesterday.’

‘Well, yes. Do you want to do something else? Walk, shop or watch a film? Or we can just sit quietly?

Gina poured coffee and leaned against the kitchen cabinet quietly observing her mother. Although she had more colour and life in her cheeks, her eyes were telling a different story. They had lost their sparkle and it was breaking her heart. How could she leave her like this?

‘I think you quite like Ollie,’ said her mother flatly.

Caught by surprise, Gina blew out a laugh. ‘He’s OK. Better now than when we first met him. I’m sure he’s a bit of a player. He can be rather obnoxious at times. Anyway, they’re quite good company. Maybe you should ring Aunt Bernie or let me. She would want to help you, I know she would.’

‘I know. I must ring her. They usually come, oh God, today. I’ll ring her now.’

‘OK. I wonder if Dad’s been in touch with her.’

‘I don’t think so. She’d have been here like a shot. That’s why I didn’t want to tell her yet.’

‘Well, keep it short. Tell her you’re going out in ten minutes otherwise you will be on the phone all day.’

As she watched her mother swap chairs to use the phone, Gina knew Aunt Bernie would make a drama out of it, but it was no use putting it off. Although she was her father’s sister, she was more like a sister to Adrienne. She was always around, almost like a second mother to her and James as she never had any children of her own. She would certainly sympathise with her mother as much as she doted on George. Gina knew, however, her mother would need to prepare herself for drama as soon as Aunt Bernie was aware of what was going on.

Adrienne paused before she dialled the number and lifted her head with an audacious smile. ‘Gina, ring Ollie and tell him we’ll go.’

‘Oh. Are you sure, Mum?’ Gina stared in surprise.

‘Yes. I don’t want to sit and mope. I enjoyed Celine’s company yesterday.’

As soon as they stepped aboard the steamer, Gina gave out a sigh of delight. She hadn’t been on one for years, since the first time Max had visited. Ollie led his mother to a seat and straight away took out his camera. So like Max, he would do exactly that, she thought. In fact, that was what he had done. She still had the photos in their album. In those days, they’d been so close and inseparable. He never made any bones about visiting her parents like he did now.

Ollie seemed really considerate of his mother, making sure his mother was being looked after, which was rather sweet. After a short tour of the boat, they entered the dining suite. Gina and Ollie sat their mothers at window seats and Ollie ordered them a bottle of Johannisberg, a local white wine which he discovered they both favoured.

‘You kids go and take some air,’ Celine told them. ‘Us oldies will be fine.’

‘We’re OK here…’ Gina began.

Ollie beckoned with his head. ‘One thing you should know, my mother is a very forceful woman and she will get her way.’

‘Ha, that sounds like my daughter, Ollie. I bet your mother’s not a control freak like this little madam,’ Adrienne said with a smile.

‘Mum, I’m not a control freak,’ Gina squawked in mock annoyance.

Adrienne waved her palms in defeat. ‘Anyway, go on, go.’

Ollie led Gina up to the bow. His arm lightly leaning on her waist, instantly sending flurries of longing through her. Her body seemed to be highly sensitive lately.

‘Seems they want us out of their hair,’ he grinned, his hair blowing about his face. ‘It’s breezy out here though. Are you warm enough?’

Gina could hardly catch her breath and shrugged her indifference, swiping her hair back as it fell across her eyes. ‘Yeah, fine.’

‘Well, I’m hot, so you can snuggle up with me.’

Her eyes flashed. ‘Oh. I’m fine thank you,’ she nudged up the volume of her voice. That was an inviting suggestion but just as he was beginning to seem genuinely attentive and normal, she had to cringe at what seemed a really smarmy comment. Choosing to ignore it she kept the conversation polite. ‘I’m grateful. Your mother’s making such an effort to be friendly. I can’t thank her enough really. I’d have had trouble getting Mum up and out.’

‘My mother belongs to so many activity clubs that Dad’s not really interested in. And, living so close, it makes sense for them to get to know one another. They may have some interests in common which will get your mother out and occupied,’ Ollie said sliding his hand on Gina’s arm and squeezing it gently. ‘I wish I’d had more friends at home.’

‘Oh!’

‘I was always skiing or training. While we were in teams, I was more focused on winning than making friends. At school, I’d rather a book or studying than joining in with the boys.’

‘Not everyone needs friends, I suppose.’

‘I’ve since discovered I do.’ He lowered his head to her and his hand slipped back to her waist.

Gina caught the lust in his eyes and felt a squirm of delight run through her. She cleared her throat. ‘I hope my mother realises that too. That would be really great. I mean, I’ve asked her to come back to London with me but she won’t come. She’s rather stubborn.’

‘Give her time. Maybe, if she’s close to home, she’ll feel safe,’ he said pulling back and capturing her with his camera.

‘Oh God, Ollie, no. I hate my photo being taken.’

‘Like most people.’

‘I take horrific photos,’ she said, ruffling her hair with her fingers.

‘Looks good to me,’ he said, turning the screen around for her to look.

‘You were lucky. That’s not bad.’ She gave an approving nod while blocking out the light with her hand.

‘Max is a lucky one,’ he blurted then rapidly pursed his lips.

As her cheeks blushed, Gina laughed, clearing her throat. ‘Ha, then you don’t know me very well. You heard my mother.’

‘I like women who know what they want. There’s nothing worse than a person who can’t steer their own boat and depends on others to do it for them.’

‘True, but don’t you think some are a bit extreme. Too ambitious or take themselves too seriously?’

‘Of course, but I wouldn’t put you in that category. You obviously care about your mother and your family otherwise you wouldn’t be here. You’ve taken the time out of your business to help, to care. It’s getting the balance right.’

Gina raised her eyes. Maybe she wasn’t as extreme as she thought. Max was always accusing her of self-interest and being self-indulgent, especially when it came to wanting a child.

‘I do need to get back to my business, though. I’ll have to go in the morning. I’ll come back next week.’

‘Excellent, you’re enjoying my company, then?’ He clicked his camera again and sat back. ‘Fabulous, isn’t it.’

Gina peered at him in disbelief. He was obviously an intelligent man, why did he come out with these boastful remarks, she wondered, watching his casual easiness and, at the same time, finding herself admiring his hair being tossed by the breeze. His thick lashes harbouring the sunlight from his dark eyes as he changed the settings on his camera.

‘I think we should go back and join them,’ she said.

‘No, they’re fine. They don’t start serving lunch until twelve-thirty. It’s only twelve. We’ll be off soon. Do you fancy a drink? Beer?’