The weather was balmy with a light breeze when Rachel’s flight from Gatwick landed at Marseille airport late Tuesday afternoon the following week. As she stepped from the terminal building into the warm afternoon sun, Tina waved her straw hat at her where she was waiting, double-parked in the taxi zone. She gripped her silver, wheeled suitcase and hurried toward Tina’s little red Italian convertible, enjoying the wonderful effect of the heat on her face where the late afternoon sun touched her skin. “Now if only I can get out of these jeans and jacket and into a light summer dress,” she mumbled, making her way through the crowd.
“Oh, how I missed this — the sun, the blue skies.” She laughed and hugged Tina. Radiant in a lilac linen shift dress, Tina flipped her honey-brown hair from her face, her eyes dancing with delight at seeing her friend again. A gendarmerie made his way over to them, frowning at Tina’s illegal parking. Rachel checked her face in the vanity mirror, and, with a playful wave at the police officer, they drove off.
The sun was still warm when Tina turned into the narrow lane leading to the restored Provençal villa, the white shutters offset by the honey-colored sandstone. The crunching gravel under their tires brought the Brownes’ two giant black-and-tan Beaucerons bouncing toward the car, barking in excited welcome.
The house in Cassis was once part of an ancient hamlet. When Luke and Tina stumbled upon the property, they bought it because they fell in love with the view, the established olive tree plantation, and the old vines. Their immediate plan was to demolish the derelict stone structure and build something new, but Rachel convinced them to restore and renovate the ancient buildings. For almost a year, Rachel selflessly devoted her spare time to managing the restoration project, refusing any form of compensation from the Brownes. A project during which Rachel learned to cope with the many frustrating challenges of the French construction industry. In the end, Rachel certainly learned a thing or two about working with French contractors and circumventing the daunting maze of the French bureaucracy.
“I’m doing this for the love of it, you two. Accept my time as a gift and let me enjoy it,” she’d argued with them. And then, for good measure, knowing Tina wouldn’t yield that easily, she added, “Besides, you never know when I might need a reference for my brilliance as an architect here in France.”
“Only if you treat this house as yours,” Luke had insisted.
Tina parked in the shade of a huge chestnut tree and Luke appeared from the front door, dressed in leather sandals, casual khaki Bermudas and a comfortable white cotton shirt, and made his way over to them.
“Rachel, at last. We’ve missed you.” He smiled and hugged her.
Tina herded them to the large oak table under the old plane trees in the backyard. The table was laid with a light Provençal fare of crusty bread, sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil, fresh tapenade, grilled peppers, juicy olives, and a mouth-watering assortment of local cheeses. Luke pulled the cork on a light, ice-cold rosé wine.
“Rachel, now that you’re here, why don’t we discuss our plans for the weekend?” Tina said with a quick wink at Luke.
Tina’s smooth announcement was way too casual, and she looked up, warning bells ringing in her ears, waiting for the punch line. She knew Tina well enough that she didn’t miss the subtle manipulation in her casual request. Rachel sat back in the comfortable chair and untied the clip in her hair. Soft waves of chestnut brown hair tumbled onto her shoulders and down her back. Luke handed her a glass of cold wine and she nodded her thanks.
“Right, spill it. What’s bubbling in your cauldron?” she demanded.
“Not me … Luke.” Tina shot Luke a teasing look.
Luke smiled and sat down next to his young wife, draping his arm lovingly around her shoulders. “You’re probably aware of some of this, Rachel. We’ve had great results building our brand through last year’s sponsorship of a Formula One team. So much so that I increased our sponsorship program for this year.” He looked at her and shrugged before he continued. “Some of the benefits of the sponsorship include VIP tickets to key races this year. Sunday’s race in Monaco is the crown event in the calendar, and we should all go.”
Tina sat up, enthused, picking up from where Luke left off.
“Oh, Rachel, it’s such a glamorous event, and you love fast cars. We simply must go. Luke’s already arranged with Pierre for the last two executive suites in the Hôtel de Paris.”
Rachel looked at the two and shook her head.
“You’re so sneaky, Tina. You know very well I wouldn’t have traveled all the way here for a social event.”
“Yes, that I know, Rachel. But I think it’s time you get out a little. How long has it been since you let your hair down — just enjoy an evening out?”
“I didn’t bring anything formal to wear … ” Rachel started weakly, but she knew her argument wouldn’t fly. Tina’s well-stocked, walk-in wardrobe was a treasure chest of silky Armani gowns, rich Gucci eveningwear, and seductive Nina Ricci dresses — all ready to be plundered. She smiled at the image of their shared wardrobe at university. Their similar bodies and fashion taste made it possible for them to stretch their meager student allowances a lot farther than the other girls on campus.
Ever since they met at Cambridge, Rachel and Tina had been inseparable. After university, Tina moved to London to complete her apprenticeship at the international law firm of Dunkirk and Hobbs, specializing in security law. Her insatiable appetite for hard work, willingness to spend half her life flying all over the world, and her phenomenal intellect paid off. She made junior partner in four years.
It was during those years that Tina met Luke Browne. Luke had started Browne Investment Banking ten years earlier, but was facing the real danger of losing his company, and his reputation, in a case brought before the Financial Services Authority.
Tina was a natural choice for the handpicked team Dunkirk and Hobbs appointed for Luke’s defense, and for the next eight months, Tina fought like a tigress to rescue Luke’s honor and livelihood. It was during this period that their mutual respect turned into something greater. They were married a year later on the white sands of Luke’s holiday villa in St Barth’s.
Tina clasped her hands in excitement and announced with glee, “Do I have the perfect outfits for you — impulse buys I’ve never worn. A black number in which you will look absolute drop-dead gorgeous — and, wait for it — a stunning silver gown for the gala evening.”
“It’s going to feel like the good old days when I ransacked your wardrobe,” Rachel relented, and raised her glass in jest to Tina.