Chapter 14

J

eanne came to, her breathing still erratic, disturbed by the blaring of a car horn punched repeatedly from behind. Shaking her head, she moved forward, quickly pulling in at the side of the road as the angry motorist shot past, mouthing something at her. Shaking, she replayed the scene in her mind. God, that felt so real! Was that what happened? And that white boat was definitely going at some speed. Must have been drunk, like the police said.

A few moments later and her breathing returned to normal. She stopped shaking and set off to the Bridge, parking near the café.

Feeling in need of something to revive her shattered nerves, she went in. It looked full and she was beginning to despair of finding a table when she spotted an arm waving at her from the back of the room. Nick.

‘Hi, Jeanne. Thought it was you. Care to join me? It’s pretty crowded today, I’m afraid.’ Nick smiled at her and Jeanne sank with a sigh into the chair opposite.

‘Thanks, if you don’t mind, Nick. I…I need to eat but I think I need a drink first,’ she stammered.

‘Why, you’re as white as a sheet! What’s the matter?’

‘Just had a bit of a shock. I’ll be fine in a minute. Could you get me a glass of red wine, please?’

He fetched the wine and Jeanne took a grateful gulp.

‘Now, tell me what’s happened.’ Nick looked at her intently and she felt compelled to tell him about the flashback.

‘You poor girl! It must be so awful re-living it like that. How’re you feeling now?’ he asked gently.

‘Better, thanks. I think it’s worse ’cos I wasn’t expecting it. Took me by surprise, although there’ve been other…incidents since I came back.’ She still felt as if the blood had drained from her face and bit her lip before continuing, ‘I’d been thinking of having therapy to, maybe, sort it out for good. After what’s happened I’ll arrange it as soon as I can. Then no more flashbacks.’

He nodded. ‘Sounds a good idea. You need professional help with something like this. I bet you’re still afraid of boats and the sea?’

‘Yep. And I want to cure myself of that fear. I used to love boats,’ she added, remembering, with a pang, the happy times they had spent as a family on their little cruiser.

‘As a fully paid-up member of the boat-loving fraternity I can sympathise with you. But for the moment, the most pressing thing is lunch. I can recommend the fish soup – it’s fantastic,’ he said, reaching out and covering her hand with his. It felt good, as if he was draining all the fear away. She found herself smiling.

‘Soup it is then. And I think I’ll have a ham and tomato sandwich to go with it.’

The waiter came over and took Jeanne’s order. Nick had already eaten and was drinking a coffee.

‘So, where were you heading when all this happened?’

‘A kitchen showroom recommended by my builder.’

‘What sort of kitchen are you after?’

‘Farmhouse with a modern take. The cottage is old but I don’t want the proverbial olde-worlde look. Something a bit more contemporary.’

‘Sounds great. And where’s your cottage?’

Jeanne told him and also what she was planning to do with it and then mentioned her gran’s pride and joy, the garden.

‘Ideal for barbecues then!’ Nick grinned at her.

‘That’s funny, Rachel said the same. But once the builders are in it’s…wait a minute! I’ve had an idea. I could have a barbecue before the builders start.’ Jeanne thought for a moment and then said, ‘Do you think everyone would be free this weekend?’

Nick shrugged. ‘No idea. But we’ve not arranged to go surfing so it’s possible. Sunday afternoon might suit everyone, I think. And Colette mentioned she will be free in the afternoon. Shall I ask around?’

‘Please. And everyone could bring friends if they like, then I’ll get to know even more of the friendly natives,’ she grinned at Nick. After reflection she added, ‘There is one, rather big problem, though.’

‘And what’s that?’

‘I don’t have a barbecue!’

Nick laughed. ‘Minor problem! Scott can bring the portable one we used on the beach.’ As he drank his coffee and Jeanne ate her soup an odd expression flitted across his face.

‘It was here, wasn’t it? Here, where I’ve seen you before?’

‘Ye…s. You had that horrible man with you,’ admitted Jeanne, worried that he’d now feel uncomfortable in her presence, knowing she’d witnessed his embarrassment.

Nick nodded, looking grim. Oh dear, he’ll probably just go now and avoid me like the plague.

Then a slow smile spread over his face and his eyes were definitely laughing when he said, ‘That wasn’t one of my best business meetings, was it? I had to stop myself telling that ‘horrible man’ exactly what I thought of him. Once his darned boat is finished and I’ve cashed his, admittedly large, cheque, I might just let rip!’

Jeanne relaxed and smiled back.

‘Good for you! But it’s awful being bullied by people you’re working for, isn’t it? I’ve had some quite nasty editors to deal with in my time and when I first started as a journalist there were a couple of times when I was reduced to tears.’

‘At least I wasn’t that bad! Ah, sorry, was that patronising?’

‘No, don’t be daft. How could a big, strong successful businessman like you patronise a small, weak female like me?’

They both burst out laughing and Jeanne felt all the earlier upset and tension ease away.

‘Hey, our first meeting was actually on the ferry, wasn’t it? You crashed into me as if you were drunk.’

She shook her head, no longer laughing.

‘I wasn’t drunk, I was having a panic attack, looking at Herm.’

‘Oh, sorry. Well, at least I’ve been more supportive this time.’ He gripped her hand and she replied, with a smile, ‘Yes, very supportive.’

‘Look, much as I enjoy your company, I really must get back to the grindstone. Can’t have you a witness to another shouting match, can we?’ His eyes were still laughing, she noticed, wishing that he didn’t have to go.

‘Give me your phone number, Jeanne, and I’ll let you know about the barbecue. Are you seeing Marcus this week?’

Jeanne nodded. ‘Yes, tomorrow night. I’ll ask him about the weekend then. Did you know we girls are out on Thursday evening?’

‘Colette did say something about it. Enjoy yourselves. Right, I’m off. Hope to see you on Sunday, okay?’

Jeanne smiled as he left and then concentrated on her food. The soup had been delicious and she wondered if it was a local recipe. She chewed the last bit of the sandwich deep in thought. Part of her regretted confiding in Nick about the flashback even though he had been so nice. He now knew her weakness, making her vulnerable, in her eyes, at least. Another part of her was glad someone helped her when she was so upset and she had enjoyed his company. And now she’d agreed to a barbecue! Must be mad. She shook her head at the thought and the waiter, hovering nearby, asked if everything was all right.

‘Fine, thanks. Can I have my bill, please?’

Sitting there in the café she recalled the images that had flashed in her head, unbidden, on the way there. She had not previously remembered the other boat but ‘seeing’ it in her mind’s eye had made it very real. It’s no good, she’d have to remember more, then the police could track down who had been at the wheel…

Leaving the café, still feeling unsettled, she walked to the kitchen showroom. After a quick look round and admiring the displays, she arranged for a designer to come and measure up on Friday morning. She left bearing yet more glossy brochures.

Late that afternoon Jeanne arrived at Molly’s bearing flowers and a laundry bag. Molly thanked her for them but insisted it was not necessary to buy her anything.

‘It’s no big deal having you use the machine. It would be a lot worse if Natalie was still at home. If she wore anything for five minutes it went in the wash. But you don’t have much at all,’ Molly said.

‘That’s because I’ve been living in grubby jeans most of the time. But now my social life is improving I may be round more often,’ Jeanne grinned at Molly as they loaded the washing machine.

‘Right, now that’s on, how about a cup of tea while you tell me all about this great social life of yours.’

They sat in the kitchen drinking tea while Jeanne brought her up to date.

‘It all sounds lovely, Jeanne. And how’s the outline for the book coming on?’

Molly listened intently as she talked.

‘Everything’s coming together really well for you. I’m so pleased. It’s about time that your life turned the corner.’ Molly hesitated for a moment and then said, ‘But there’s something else isn’t there? Perhaps not quite as positive?’

Jeanne sighed and, looking up at Molly’s concerned face, said, ‘Yes, I had a flashback today and it was very…upsetting. So,’ she took a deep breath, ‘I’ve decided that I do want to use hypnosis, if you’re still happy to help me.’

‘Of course I am. It’s the least I can do to help, assuming I can. We don’t know yet how well it will work as you’ve buried the memories for so long. I’d start slowly, using hypnosis to relax you for a few sessions first. Then if you’re receptive, we can begin the regression therapy. How does that sound?’

Jeanne nodded. ‘Okay. As long as I don’t fall to pieces as I’ve got so much going on at the moment.’

‘Of course, I understand, my dear. But if we take it a step at a time, you’re not likely to fall apart, I promise. And all my clients so far have remained intact!’

‘Good! How about if we start next week? I’ll keep my social diary a bit clearer just in case I do become a gibbering wreck.’

Molly smiled. ‘That’s fine by me. Let me check my own diary so I don’t double book you with that multiple personality I’m seeing at the moment. Might just add to the already high level of confusion.’

She returned a moment later with her diary and they settled on three o’clock the following Monday. Although Molly usually worked in a clinic she suggested that it would be less stressful if they met at her home. ‘Peter won’t be home until after five so we won’t be disturbed. All right?’

‘Sure. Thanks, Molly. Oh, by the way, I’m planning a barbecue at home next Sunday afternoon and hope that the group I’ve met will come. Would you and Peter like to join us? I’m assuming Peter doesn’t mind mixing with his old students.’

‘I think he could deal with a load of his old students without any problem at all. He’d enjoy the flattery. We’d love to come. What time do you want us?’

‘I don’t know yet as it’s not confirmed. So I’ll give you a ring by Saturday with the details.’

Jeanne went to check the washing and as she waited for the machine to finish its final spin, Molly came up and said, ‘Might as well bring your washing when you come for the hypnosis. Then we’re solving two problems at once,’ she said, grinning.

Jeanne scooped up her wet clothes into the bag and hugged Molly before setting off back to Le Petit Chêne. This was obviously commitment day, she mused. First, she’d committed herself to hosting a barbecue and then to sessions of hypnosis. She could only hope that both were steps in the right direction, but a flicker of doubt still hovered around the idea of unearthing her buried memories. She had a feeling that she would find out things that she’d rather not know. Things that would have been better left buried and undisturbed for good.