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

‘If I was that good, why no word, no job offer from you before – when I needed all the help I could get?’ Nanette asked angrily.

‘I cut back on my business activities when I realized you weren’t going to be around for a long time,’ Zac said, shrugging. ‘I was too busy racing and simply didn’t have the time to find a new PA.’

‘And now you’ve got time for a new venture?’

‘This time I’m trying to invest in a business that I can work at when I give up racing.’

‘You’re giving up racing?’ Nanette asked shocked.

‘Not immediately, but I don’t fancy being the oldest driver on the circuit fighting for a drive. Realistically, I suppose, I’ve got another two or three years, but if I don’t win the championship this season’ – Zac grimaced – ‘who knows? I might just walk away from it all in October.’

He paused and smiled at her. ‘I also thought it would be an ideal opportunity to try and make up for the hurt that I’ve caused you in the past. We could both go places with this new business.’

Zac looked at her expectantly, waiting for her response.

Nanette sighed. Zac could sound so plausible when he turned on the charm. She’d seen it work in the past when he’d wanted his own way over something. But not this time, not with her.

‘Apart from the fact that I’m not looking for another job – I’m happy caring for the twins – working for you again is not something I’d ever thought about.’

‘Will you think about it now?’ Zac persisted. ‘The twins are growing up they won’t need you forever.’

‘You don’t need me either, Zac.’

‘Oh but, Nanette, I do,’ Zac said, once again reaching out to take hold of her hands and squeeze them tightly. ‘I leave for Silverstone tomorrow and then I’m back here for three days before I fly out to Canada. Please think about it while I’m away. We’ll have supper next week and you can give me your decision then.’

‘I don’t need time to think Zac. I don’t—’

‘Shh.’ Zac effectively stopped her by placing his fingers firmly against her lips. ‘Next week.’

‘Goodnight, Zac.’ Once again, she turned away from him, stepping back on to the gangplank to leave. Zac didn’t try to stop her this time.

‘I’ll see you home,’ he said. ‘Just give me two minutes while I fetch something from my cabin.’

Feeling the need to put some firm ground underneath her feet, Nanette jumped off the yacht’s gangplank and stood waiting on the quay.

Standing there, watching the evening activity of the harbour, Nanette felt curiously light-headed. The events of the past hour had been totally unexpected, but she was pleased she’d kept her cool and been able to be so resolute in facing up to Zac despite her hammering heart.

‘Here you are – some bedtime reading,’ Zac said, reappearing with a large envelope marked Vacances au Soleil and bulging with papers. ‘At least have a look at it while I’m away,’ he said, when Nanette tried to refuse to take it. ‘It might help change your mind.’

Nanette had thrown the envelope on to the table in her room intending to ignore it and simply hand it back to Zac next week, but curiosity had got the better of her and the next morning she’d opened it.

Now, as she and Mathieu caught up with the twins near the cinema, she began to tell him about the contents of the envelope.

‘Vacances au Soleil is apparently going to be an exclusive holiday club, which will, for a large amount of money naturally, arrange dream holidays for their members, anywhere in the world. Dubai, St Tropez, Rio, Sun City and of course Monaco.’

‘And Zac wants you to run the operation for him?’

Nanette nodded. ‘Yes. Initially the office would be on board Pole Position. And, according to the job description he’d thoughtfully put in the envelope, he wants me to travel to inspect the places and make sure they’re exclusive enough. Starting next month.’

‘Could be fun,’ Mathieu said.

‘He’s conveniently brushed aside the events of the last three years – and the fact that I look after the twins,’ Nanette said, crossly. ‘It’s only a few weeks before the long summer break begins. Even if I was tempted, which I’m not, there is no way I could possibly let Vanessa and Ralph – or you – down in that way.’

Mathieu was silent for a moment.

‘Do you have any plans for the future? The twins are growing up – they won’t need a nanny for much longer. Maybe Zac would keep the job open for you? Or you could start with just an hour or so a day while the twins are at school.’

Nanette gazed at him exasperated.

‘Mathieu, I don’t want to work for Zac again. I don’t belong in his world any more. And I don’t think I even like him any more. I certainly don’t trust him.’

Mathieu paid for their tickets and sent the twins off to buy a snack from the refreshment cabin before turning to answer her.

‘I can’t tell you the details but this “thing” I’m involved with is getting more complicated,’ he said quietly. ‘I could do with some inside help.’ He glanced at her. ‘You working for Zac, having access to papers and his associates, might be very useful to me.’

‘Are you saying Zac is involved in this “thing”?’ Nanette demanded.

Mathieu didn’t answer directly, simply giving a slight shrug of his shoulders.

‘Is Jean-Claude right then, in thinking you’ve become embroiled in something illicit?’ Nanette asked worriedly.

Mathieu sighed. ‘It’s not as simple as being illicit or illegal. And now to complicate matters even more, I think I’m being followed.’

The twins arrived back at that moment clutching crisps and popcorn and clamouring to go and find their seats.

‘Come on, Dad, the film starts in five minutes,’ Pierre said.

Mathieu gave Nanette an apologetic glance. ‘We’ll talk later – let’s go watch pirates!’

Sifting under a cloudless sky as dusk fell over the