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

company tonight,’ Jean-Claude said. ‘Enjoy the party,’ and he closed the door behind Mathieu.

Joining Nanette on the balcony, Jean-Claude smiled at her.

‘Great atmosphere down there.’

Nanette nodded. ‘Yes. Can I get you a drink or anything?’

‘Maybe in a minute, but first I would like to talk to you.’

Jean-Claude glanced at her before continuing quietly, ‘I think you should make an appearance at Zac’s party tonight. If only for five minutes.’

‘Oh, JC,’ Nanette sighed.

‘Seeing Zac recently was difficult and upset you I know,’ Jean-Claude said, ‘but going tonight would be another step to getting the past behind you. Zac has expressed a desire to be friends, and his guests are unlikely to create a scene or be rude to you in front of him.’

There was silence as Nanette gazed out unseeingly over the harbour. Knowing that Jean-Claude was right didn’t help and she shrugged helplessly as she turned to face him.

‘Why don’t you go and put on a party dress and we’ll go together?’ Jean-Claude said gently. ‘We don’t have to stay long and I promise not to leave your side.’

As Nanette still hesitated, he added, ‘It will be fine. Go and change. I’ll have a word with Florence to keep an ear out for the twins, but I’m sure they’ll be fast asleep by now anyway.’

In her room, Nanette stood uncertainly in front of her wardrobe wondering which dress to wear. She rejected the one she’d worn to accompany Jean-Claude to the Café de Paris as being too dressy and chose instead a sleeveless white one with a lace bolero jacket over the shoulders.

‘Do I look OK?’ she asked Jean-Claude anxiously as she rejoined him in the sitting-room.

‘Nanette, you always look lovely to me whatever you’re wearing,’ Jean-Claude said quietly.

Struck by the sincere intensity in his voice, Nanette looked at him in surprise before smiling at him shyly and leading the way out of the apartment.

Together they walked past yacht after yacht, each one positively humming with revellers. Everywhere there was noise, laughter, music and glamorous women.

The sudden strident noise of police sirens as several police cars streaked their way along the Boulevard Hercules 1st frightened Nanette and she looked around quickly.

‘Probably heading for the auto-route,’ Jean-Claude said. ‘Hope it’s nothing too serious.’

Slipping her shoes off at the end of the gangplank and stepping on to the teak deck of Pole Position, Nanette had a sudden attack of nerves and would have run back down to the embankment, if Jean-Claude hadn’t unexpectedly taken her hand at that moment, making escape impossible.

The main cabin of the boat was bursting with people and, as they squeezed their way through the throng, Nanette saw several people she knew. She returned a quiet ‘hello’ to the ones who acknowledged her and did her best not to mind the ones who deliberately turned their backs.

Jean-Claude took two glasses of champagne from the steward at the small bar and handed her one.

Nanette looked around her curiously as she sipped her drink.

‘What do you think of the makeover Zac had done earlier this year?’ Jean-Claude asked.

‘Umm not sure,’ Nanette replied evasively. ‘Bit too ostentatious for my taste. Wonder where Zac is?’

‘Probably out on deck. Shall we go and look?’ When Nanette nodded, Jean-Claude took her by the hand again and they made their way through one of the open doors on to the side deck.

Outside they could see Zac and Mathieu up in the bow talking to Boris. By mutual, unspoken consent, Nanette and Jean-Claude stayed where they were. Neither of them wanted to have to make small talk with Boris.

As they stood sipping their drinks and watching the other party guests, Nanette slowly relaxed. Just as they were about to return to the main cabin, Evie came up to speak to them.

‘Hi. I thought it was you. Isn’t it a great party? I’ve been talking to one of the racing drivers, but now he’s looking for Zac. He’s got a message for him from his technical support team. Apparently the police have stopped the Formula 1 car transporters up on the auto-route for a random search.’

‘Nothing unusual in that,’ Nanette said. ‘It happens quite a lot. Never found anything yet.’

‘Oh, but this time they reckon they’ve had a tip-off and they’re searching them all from top to bottom. They seem pretty certain of finding something.’ Evie said. ‘Look my friend is telling Zac the news now.’

Nanette looked across in time to catch the concerned look Zac exchanged with Boris and Mathieu. Mathieu moved away from the others and began to push his way towards the stern.

Nanette felt a sudden knot of apprehension tighten in her stomach and she moved closer to Jean-Claude. Gently she felt for his hand and held it tightly as they watched Mathieu run down the gangplank before being swallowed up by the crowds still thronging the harbour side, and disappearing from view.

CHAPTER FIVE

Standing on the deck in silence watching Mathieu running away into the night, Nanette felt Jean-Claude’s tension as he held her hand.

Nanette glanced around. The party seemed to have come to a premature end with the news of the police raid on the Formula 1 transporters. The deck was still vibrating from the disco music playing in the main cabin but people were leaving, including Boris and his entourage.

‘Shall we go?’ Nanette asked Jean-Claude quietly.

He nodded in answer and they turned to make their way back to the gangplank.

Nanette, hoping that they would be able to leave unnoticed, was disconcerted to see Zac standing in the stern saying goodnight to people.

‘Nanette, Jean-Claude, I’m sorry you’re leaving. Can’t you both stay longer? I haven’t even had a chance to dance with you yet, Nanette. Another glass of champagne perhaps?’

Nanette glanced at him sharply. The last thing she wanted was to dance with Zac.

‘Non,’ Jean-Claude said brusquely. ‘I need to find Mathieu. Perhaps you can tell me where he’s gone?’ And Jean-Claude glared at Zac.

‘How would I know?’ Zac said.

‘Because I believe you’ve involved my son in one of your suspect business