I blushed and nodded. “Yes, I’m fine. You said you had a message for me?”
“Oui, I mean, yes.” He stood awkwardly, nervous; he must’ve be new to job, I thought. He shuffled his feet closer, and it was then that I saw him holding a crisp white enveloped with both hands.
Not another bloody letter.
He moved closer as if he were about to whisper in my ear.
“Monsieur Chamberlin, asked me to tell you that he was sorry and that he would give you some space.” The man’s eyes strained upwards as if he was doing his best to recall exactly the words he was to relay.
“What do you mean, space?”
“Er, well, I believe he is to be leaving Monaco.”
Oh no, I thought, as I crunched my eyelids together.
“He asked that I give you this.” The receptionist held out the envelope, but I ignored him.
“When?”
He shook his head, “I’m sorry, I do not understand.”
“How long ago was he here?” I asked impatiently.
The man raised his left wrist and looked at the watch covered by his suit sleeve.
“About an hour, I think, maybe more.”
Shit, shit, shit! That was all that ran through my mind as I sprinted out of the hotel and hopped into the first car that I prayed was a taxi.
Behind me, as the car drove away I could still hear the receptionist calling my name in my wake.
In my haste I hadn’t considered the problems that could’ve arisen from just jumping into foreign taxi. I knew just one thing; I had to get to Lex before he left. I didn’t need space, and I sure as hell didn’t want it. But luckily those few years of school French came rushing back and between the two of us – the driver’s muddled English and my fragmented phrases, waving hand signals and repeating “les bateaux” over and over again – we were able to point the car in the right direction heading for the harbour.
Fuck, this was all my fault. Why hadn’t I let him explain last night on the yacht? And could the driver go any slower?
Soon, the taxi drove over the smooth cobbles at the entrance of the port, and the barrier lifted to let us through.
The driver waved his hand, prompting me to give him further directions, but I couldn’t remember where the ship was berthed. We were surrounded by almost identical white, gleaming vessels, at least to my eyes, and I felt a wave of panic come over me. Like looking for a ship in the middle of the ocean…
“Un moment, s’il vous plaît,” I said, quickly cobbling together another phrase remembered from long ago and got out of the car.
I dashed from pier to pier, desperately looking for anything familiar. I wished I’d paid more attention the afternoon we’d pulled in, but I had been too busy worrying about Phoebe.
I ran along the last pier with a vague sense of recollection, the wall of the harbour behind me. This had to be it, I thought.
Yes!
I spotted Lex’s yacht, The Pearl, and the union Jack that swayed in the breeze. My heart filled with joy as I realised he was still here.
My feet carried me up the gangplank to the main deck; I couldn’t wait to throw my arms around him. I was determined never to fight with him again, no matter what.
“Miss Aimee? What are you doing here?”
I turned toward the voice, but it was not Lex. It was one of the crew members, tidying up and packing away loose items around the interior, and I’d shamelessly forgotten his name.
“Hi,” I said panting, a smile fixed upon my face. “Where’s Lex?”
He frowned at me. “Mr Chamberlin flew out this morning…” he paused, not sure if he should continue. “I thought you were with him? We’re getting the ship ready to depart, to take her back to her home port.”
My whole body sagged, and embarrassment flooded my face with crimson. The last thing I wanted was the crew to gossip… I’m sure they already had enough material to write several exposés, even though they were all under a non–disclosure agreement. But even so, I didn’t want to give them any more ammo.
“Oh, of course. He’s away on business,” I said, shaking my head, pretending to be a ditzy blonde. I tried grinning. “I’d forget my head if it weren’t attached.”
“Is there anything I can help you with?” he asked sceptically.
I waved the question away, “Just here to pick up a few things I left behind. Don’t worry, I won’t be in the way.”
Once alone, away from prying eyes in the cabin, I crumbled to the floor, hugged my knees, and sobbed.
Chapter Five
The taxi driver had been kind enough to wait for me… no doubt wanting his fare of course. He didn’t mutter a word after I asked him to take me back to the hotel; he’d seen the sombre expression on my face and wisely thought better of attempting any sort of conversation with me. It was a quiet journey back to the hotel as I stared out the window at all the happy faces. Couples on holidays and elegant women effortlessly walking their dogs in dangerously high–heels.