Chapter 25

B

y half past nine on Thursday morning Jeanne had completed the Bond on her cottage, just in time to make a stage payment to Martin on Friday.

As she came out of the Royal Court into the bright summer sunshine she was tempted to play hooky and disappear to the beach for the day. But, on reflection, she decided to take time off at the weekend instead and see if Rachel could join her. She’d love a good girls’ gossip after all the trauma of the past couple of weeks.

All was proceeding well at the cottage after the enforced delay and Jeanne collected her post and disappeared to Molly’s. Amongst the usual bills and circulars was a letter from Sally, attaching an amended contract. The publishers had agreed to Sally’s changes and Jeanne was happy to sign and return it immediately. I’m being showered with money today, she thought, smiling happily, as she dialled her aunt’s number. They had only spoken briefly after the baby’s body was found.

‘Jeanne, lovely to hear from you. How are you coping? Have things quietened down?’ Kate asked, concerned.

‘Not exactly. Been an interesting few days, actually.’ She went on to describe her visit to Mrs Ozanne.

There was a moment’s silence at the other end of the phone.

‘I see. Do you feel it’s helped to have talked to the old lady?’

‘Oh, yes. It was sad to hear what Gran went through and Wilhelm’s death must have been awful. But at least now there are no unknowns and it was good to have heard it all from someone so close to Gran. I now know how she felt about everything, not just Wilhelm. She loved him and hoped they’d marry and was so excited about the baby. Scared too of course.’ Jeanne paused and took a deep breath.

‘Gran was always strong and knew she’d cope. But it seems Wilhelm’s death knocked the stuffing out of her. I think she wished she’d died with her baby. According to Mrs Ozanne she was depressed for months afterwards. It was only the arrival of the Liberating Forces which shook her out of it.’

‘I’m not surprised she was depressed! She’d experienced such tragedy, and so young. She was only about twenty, wasn’t she?’

‘Yes. And only Mrs Ozanne knew the whole story. She’s a lovely lady and I plan to keep in touch. The interesting thing is she married the nephew of Gran’s father so we’re related by marriage. Her memory’s fantastic and she said Gran had chosen the names William for a boy and Marie for a girl. And that Wilhelm’s surname was Schmidt. He was well liked among the locals, considering he was an enemy occupier. Apparently he helped out whenever he could, particularly with the elderly. People were genuinely saddened by his death.’

‘Are you going to include the story about the baby in the book?’

‘I’m not going to mention the pregnancy or the baby, although locals may guess now the…that Marie’s body’s been found. I will mention Wilhelm’s death as it’s relevant as well as poignant. It explains why they didn’t marry, which is important. Even though I’m not mentioning Granpa in the book I did find out from Mrs Ozanne that Gran was really in love with him and they were very happy together, which was always my impression, too. They met a year after the war ended and married a few months later. So she did find happiness in the end,’ Jeanne said, with a satisfied sigh.

‘Are we up to date now?’

Jeanne told her about the signing of the contract and the loan from the bank, finishing the call on a happier note.

Although Saturday had been dull with a scattered shower or two, Sunday was a typical summer’s day of clear sky and hot sun and Jeanne picked up Rachel just before noon. Tim was surfing with the others and Rachel was glad of some company and the excuse to sunbathe. They each brought a picnic to share and Jeanne had packed a bottle of white wine in the cool box. Settling themselves on the beach in Ladies Bay, they stripped down to their bikinis.

‘This is the life! I never seem to have time to really enjoy a day on the beach. I’ve always got something else I should be doing – like housework or marking homework!’ Rachel said as she stretched out, luxuriating in the sun.

‘I know what you mean. It can be difficult to just let go, but I’m determined to enjoy this summer. My first seaside summer for fifteen years!’ Jeanne replied, slathering on the sun cream.

‘How are things? Haven’t spoken to you for what seems like ages.’

‘Well, you’d better make yourself comfortable as I’ve a lot to report.’ By the time Jeanne had covered all that had happened, Rachel’s first words were, ‘I need a drink!’

Jeanne opened the bottle of wine and poured generous measures into plastic glasses.

‘You know something, Jeanne Le Page? You’re a dark horse, you are. You look absolutely normal on the outside – but, boy, it’s all bubbling away inside, isn’t it? I think it’s fantastic about your book, I really do. I know I’d never be able to buckle down to write the way you do. And under such circumstances! I’d have been on tranquillisers by now,’ said Rachel, taking a large gulp of wine. In a more serious tone, she added, ‘Do you know when the inquest is to be held?’

‘No, but I expect to hear tomorrow. They’re just waiting for the DNA results. And now that I’ve Mrs Ozanne as a witness it should be an open and shut case. If I can arrange for the burial to be outside school hours, would you come along? I’d like as many friends with me as possible.’

‘No problem. It’s all so sad and I’d be happy to offer some moral support. I noticed that you haven’t mentioned Marcus at all. What’s going on in that department?’ Rachel said, lifting her eyebrows.

‘Oh, not a lot. I don’t feel it’s going to work out between us, although he’s quite keen. I just find him a bit, well, shallow.’

Rachel nodded. ‘He is a bit. He’s nice enough but there’s not much substance. Very hooked on money, just like the rest of his family.’

‘Oh, you know the Davidsons, do you?’

‘They live near my parents in a very posh house, but they’ve never mixed much with us poor Guerns. You could tell that the father was very ambitious as he was always throwing parties for the Open Market brigade, to which us hoi polloi weren’t invited. He cultivated the wealthy for his accountancy practice. A mix of Rollers and Mercs often cluttered up their drive. I guess Marcus was brought up to feel he had to succeed and add to the family fortune.’

‘But what about Dan, his older brother? He didn’t go into a profession.’

Rachel grimaced. ‘Dan! The black sheep of the family. But he likes money, for sure. He’s always been a wheeler and dealer and there was even talk about him being into drug trafficking years ago. But I don’t think he got caught and it was hushed up.’

‘A drug dealer! God, that’s scary. You know, I met him recently when he bought my old furniture. I felt really uncomfortable with him and I’m sure he’s on drugs.’

‘Could be. But he’s managed to stay out of reach of the law all these years. You’re not going to do any more business with him, are you? He’s bad news.’

‘Oh no, don’t worry. Once was enough! And even though Marcus is nothing like him I don’t think we’ll be going out anymore. Could that cause a problem with our meeting as a group?’

‘These things happen. If you can part on friendly terms it should be all right. You…weren’t lovers were you?’

‘That’s a very personal question to ask, Miss Mahy! But no, we weren’t as I wasn’t ready yet after… you know. So that should make it easier to remain polite. I’m happy to see him in a group situation, just not one to one.’ Jeanne paused, twisting her hair. ‘You don’t know how things are with Sue and Nick do you? Only Colette seemed to think that Sue might be wearing down his defences.’

Rachel shook her head and turned over onto her stomach. ‘I haven’t seen or heard from them since your barbecue. I think Nick was due to go surfing today with the others but I don’t know about Sue. I don’t think they’re very well matched so I doubt they’ll ever be a couple. I’d have thought Sue was more Marcus’s type than Nick’s, wouldn’t you?’

Jeanne was glad that Rachel couldn’t see her face flush.

‘Marcus and Sue were certainly close at school. But I’m not sure what Nick’s type would be.’

‘I could see him going for someone a little more mature – in outlook I mean, not age. He strikes me as being a bit deep and he’d be an ideal family man. I had my nephews with me once and he was great with them, so natural. Just like Tim, who’ll make a wonderful father one day,’ Rachel said dreamily.

‘Hey, hang on a minute. You two haven’t walked down the aisle yet! Give him time to get his breath back from the long march!’ Jeanne cried, flicking sand at Rachel’s back.

They ended up laughing and as they unpacked their picnic Rachel regaled Jeanne with a humorous version of the rather less exciting life she’d led the past few weeks.

Jeanne was nervous as she drove up to Bordeaux on Monday morning. It was going to be very strange being in Nick’s cottage and she wasn’t sure how she’d react if he was around. There was an intimacy about spending time in someone’s home and using their things, especially kitchen utensils chosen by an ex-fiancée.

She went slowly up Rue Robin and finally found his detached granite cottage, La Tonnelle, on the right. Colette’s Mini was already parked in the spacious drive but there was no sign of Nick’s jeep. Not sure whether or not to be relieved, she unloaded her files and laptop and rang the bell.

‘Hi, Jeanne. Good timing, I was just writing my initial shopping list. Hey, let me help you with those,’ Colette said, relieving Jeanne of some of the files.

The cottage was similar in size to Le Petit Chêne but had a very different feel to it. From the outside it was a traditional Guernsey cottage, but it had been radically modernised internally and was now open-plan. Jeanne did not think it looked right, a bit too stark for her taste – an expanse of white with wooden floors and beams. Colette led her into the large clinical kitchen which appeared to be the result of two rooms being knocked into one and the stainless steel units gleamed under the bright lights.

Colette caught Jeanne’s eye and said, grinning, ‘I know what you’re thinking and I agree with you. I’m used to professional kitchens at work but I like those in houses to be more homely. Unfortunately, when Helen moved in she persuaded Nick to make all these changes and by the time they’d been completed she’d moved out again. He’s not too keen on it either, but he’s not here very much, so puts up with it. Still, at least we’ve got a well-equipped kitchen to spur us on! Now, let’s have some tea while we finish the shopping list and I can check if you’re happy with my work plan.’

They worked companionably, sitting at the granite-topped island unit.

‘I think you’ve got it all worked out, Colette. It makes sense to start with the complicated French dishes so that we can see if any are going to be unsuitable for modern lifestyles. We’ll leave out any recipes that could be too difficult, either to source ingredients or to make, or that wouldn’t be to modern taste. I want people to enjoy these dishes, not find them exhausting or unpalatable. Do you agree?’

Colette nodded. ‘Yes, totally. Haute Cuisine can be very off-putting these days as traditionally it was very rich and I’d like to tone that down. But I don’t think you need worry too much about these here, I can tell they’ll be great. As I can’t start the cooking without food shall we go shopping together? We’ve got a huge fridge here and we can stock up for a few days, no problem. You’ll have to make a trip to the market for fish at some point, that’s all.’

After they had returned with the biggest load of shopping Jeanne had ever bought, the preparation began in earnest. Jeanne was allocated the vegetables, watched over by a critical Colette, in charge of the more complicated meat preparation and desserts.

The day passed very pleasantly and Jeanne even found time to work on her laptop for an hour or so. Colette aimed to make two each of starters, main courses and desserts each day but making smaller quantities than those suggested. Some of the recipes catered for ten people and rather than feeding the street, it was decided to cook for four, giving them all a chance to taste the results. Scott was roped in as another guinea pig with Nick.

Late that afternoon, as they were clearing up the kitchen, Jeanne received a call from Inspector Ferguson.

‘Thought you’d like to know that the DNA test results are through. They confirm that there’s a genetic link between you and the baby so we should be able to hold the inquest this week.’

Jeanne told him about Mrs Ozanne and her account of what had happened sixty years ago.

‘That’s very helpful. Makes it conclusive. Have you asked her about giving us a statement? We wouldn’t expect her to attend Court.’

‘Yes, I thought you’d want one and she’s fine about it. Although talking to me brought back a lot of sad memories for her, I think she’s quite enjoying all the attention. I’ll give you her number.’

They left it that the inspector would phone her when the date was fixed for the inquest.

During the morning Colette had said she knew about the baby from Nick so Jeanne had told her about meeting Mrs Ozanne.

Colette, being a little younger, was still an incurable romantic and thought the whole story was wonderful, even if it was sad. ‘Your gran sounds quite something. She could probably have run a fantastic restaurant,’ Colette said as she made choux pastry. ‘You must be very proud of her,’ she added, glancing up at Jeanne who was carefully slicing vegetables with an extremely sharp knife.

‘Oh, I am. She’s been an inspiration to me over the years. But she was content with her domestic way of life. It was all she’d known and she wasn’t at all materialistic. Finding those letters and talking to Mrs Ozanne has given me so much more insight into what she was really like. I’ve seen a side of her I never knew existed. I’m even more proud of her now. I just wish I’d known all this when she was still alive,’ she sighed.

‘Hey, come on! Don’t get maudlin! If you start crying you’ll make the veg too salty!’

Jeanne ducked as a tea towel was hurled her way.

‘Okay, okay, boss! I’m glad I’ve only got to work with you for two weeks. Wouldn’t want to be your assistant at the hotel!’ Jeanne laughed.

After the phone call they finished clearing up and Colette served the food. This included Poulardes à La Godard for a main course and for dessert Paris-Brest and Meringue à la Reine.

‘This all looks wonderful! The French weren’t bothered about their waistlines were they?’ Jeanne remarked, suddenly feeling peckish.

‘These are light compared to some of the dishes. They loved sauces and lots of cream in the nineteenth century, a bit too much for my taste. Nowadays we can substitute less fattening ingredients like yogurt or low fat crème fraîche. But I’m still worried we’re all going to put on weight these next few weeks. Definitely be a strict diet after this lot!’

Nick arrived as they were dividing the food into portions.

‘Hey, you’ve been busy. What a feast! I can see I’m going to enjoy having you two in my kitchen,’ he grinned at them both.

‘Don’t get too used to it, big bruv, it’s only for two weeks then it’s back to baked beans on toast for you,’ Colette said, giving him a playful punch. She added, ‘Why don’t you and Jeanne eat together? I’m nearly finished and I’ll take my goody bags home with me. Then you can tell Jeanne what you really think of the food – and we want the truth, mind!’

‘That’s a great idea. Are you happy to join me? Or do you have to dash off?’ Nick’s smile was warm and inviting. Jeanne couldn’t think of a reason to say no though she wasn’t sure how she’d survive such intimacy with this warm and friendly version of Nick, without giving away how attractive she found him. She was also worried that Sue might turn up and that would surely mean trouble!