Follow Your Star, Jennifer Bohnet [best fiction novels to read txt] 📗

Together they went through to the balcony where Mathieu was supervising pre-lunch nibbles and drinks. Accepting a glass and taking an hors d’oeuvre Nanette and Evie edged their way along towards Pierre.

‘It’s Papa Jean-Claude’s race next,’ he said. ‘Look here he comes out of the pits,’ and he trained the binoculars down on the pit lane exit.

‘Gosh, from up here they look like the Dinky toys my kid brother used to play with,’ Evie said, leaning over to get a better look.

Several of the cars were already on the grid having driven around the circuit to get to their starting positions and their mechanics were once again thronging around giving them final checks in the last twenty minutes before the formation lap.

Nanette watched as Jean-Claude took his Lotus up the hill before disappearing from view along the part of the track that went past the Casino.

By the time he emerged from the tunnel and was negotiating the bends by the swimming pool, most of Mathieu’s guests had arrived and the balcony was buzzing.

Nanette, looking out across the harbour, saw Zac on Pole Position and breathed a small sigh of relief. He was obviously not planning on joining them for lunch. Since the morning he’d come to the apartment expressing the desire that they should be civil to each other in public, Nanette had been wondering where and when their next encounter would be.

Evie saw her looking at the yachts.

‘Is that Pole Position? I’ve been invited to a party on board tomorrow. Do you know Zac Ewart?’

Nanette smiled. Evie was exactly the kind of girl Zac liked to surround himself with. She nodded.

‘Yes I’ve known Zac for years.’

She glanced at Evie as she said this. Evie, being new in town, clearly had no idea of her past relationship with Zac.

Nanette, knowing the way the grapevine worked, knew it wouldn’t be long before someone told Evie all the gory details. She hesitated, perhaps she should get in first with her version – the details she could remember anyway.

‘Oh great, you’ll be going to the party then,’ Evie said, and the opportunity was gone.

‘Not sure,’ Nanette said evasively.

A party on board the boat on which she had organized many a party in the past, full of people who had ostracized her after the accident wasn’t a scenario she fancied. Could she really face it?

‘It’s about to start,’ Pierre said excitedly. ‘The lights are on.’

Watching the old cars take off, Nanette hoped Jean-Claude would do well – or at least finish the race and not break down. In the event he came in second, managing to pass Stirling on the third lap which Nanette knew was a real triumph as the Monaco circuit was a difficult one for overtaking. Watching him take the chequered flag, Nanette and the twins cheered loudly before joining the others at lunch.

It was mid-afternoon before a happy Jean-Claude joined them. ‘Any food left? I’m starving,’ he said.

Nanette, helping Florence in the kitchen, quickly made up a plate of food for him and then followed him into the sitting-room where he was receiving congratulations from everyone.

As Jean-Claude tucked into his late lunch, Mathieu turned to Nanette.

‘Are you still planning on spending Grand Prix Sunday up at the villa? Or now that you and Zac have kissed and made up, are you going to watch from the pit lane?’

‘Mathieu, I don’t know what Zac has told you, but we certainly haven’t kissed and made up – I’ve still got a lot of questions I’d like him to answer,’ Nanette said sharply. ‘Does it matter where I am next Sunday then?’

‘I’ve just agreed that Boris can use the apartment next weekend,’ Mathieu said. ‘Apparently the apartment he was hoping to use isn’t available. I’ve told him Pierre and I will be here and possibly you and Olivia, which isn’t a problem for him.’

‘Pierre definitely wants to watch the race and Olivia would prefer not to,’ Nanette said. ‘So, I’ll take her up to the villa for the day and leave Pierre with you, if that’s OK with you JC?’

‘Fine by me,’ Jean-Claude assured her. He glanced at Mathieu ‘Are you going to Zac’s party tomorrow night?’

‘Of course, and I’m hoping Nanette is coming as my partner,’ Mathieu answered looking at her.

‘Thanks, Mathieu, but I’ve decided not to go,’ Nanette said.

Mathieu looked disappointed but merely said, ‘That’s a shame, but if you change your mind I’ll be leaving here about nine thirty. You know Zac’s parties never take off until late.’

The night of Zac’s party on board his yacht, Monaco Old Port was a mass of twinkling lights from the yachts and the restaurants that lined the harbour. Grand Prix fever was definitely in the air as Monaco slipped into play mode for the biggest week of the year. After the laid back atmosphere of the weekend, it was clear the big boys were now in town ready to party.

Music from several parties already in full swing on various boats floated up on the sultry air. Couples strolled nonchalantly past the luxury yachts, stopping occasionally to gaze inboard in the hope of seeing a famous face or two amongst all the glamorous people.

Standing on the balcony surveying the scene below her, Nanette took in the atmosphere. Whereas it had once been commonplace in her life she was now so detached from the social scene, that watching it held something of a surreal quality for her.

‘I’m off. Sure you won’t change your mind?’ Mathieu asked, appearing unexpectedly at her side.

Nanette shook her head.

‘Enjoy yourself. You look very smart, by the way, in your tuxedo.’

‘Thanks.’ Mathieu hesitated for a second, as though about to say something else, changed his mind and left.

Nanette heard him open the door and was surprised to hear Jean-Claude’s voice saying hello.

‘What are you doing here, Papa?’ Mathieu asked. ‘Aren’t you coming to Zac’s party either?’

‘Thought Nanette might like some