‘Do you think?’ I ask.
‘No, it’s silly. It’s just this champagne is so expensive. I mean, it’s a lot to pay for something with no motive. No, I’m being silly and paranoid. He’s a lovely guy. Forget I said that,’ says Soraya.
What is his motive? As my mind goes into overdrive, I regret not having my handy notebook with me. So many ideas are running through my head for the book, although most of them would involve some sort of crime. I am so confused that I am glad when our conversation changes course, and the three of us laugh about some of the adventures we have had over the years.
‘Remember when Soraya’s waters broke in the middle of the C&A closing-down sale,’ says Carol.
‘Meanwhile, people were nearly trampling over us to get to the bargain underwear. Then you nearly slipped in the amniotic fluid, and I had to rush and get help. We were a right bunch,’ I say.
‘We’ve been through everything together, us three. Births, deaths, marriages and divorce,’ says Carol.
‘That’s what makes us the Three Musketeers. Nothing will ever come between us. Through thick and thin, we are besties forever,’ says Soraya.
We raise our end-of-the-night cocktails and make a toast.
‘Through thick and thin.’
‘I was thinking I’d use this photo for the last pic in the album. What do you reckon?’ says Soraya, holding her phone up for us to see.
We all agree that tonight’s photo with our champagne glasses and the view of Nice will be the perfect one to end on.
‘Next thing, it’ll be your sixtieth,’ says Carol.
‘Oh, don’t. Time doesn’t stand still for any woman, does it.’
I think about our next milestone birthdays. What will we be doing? Will we all go away and celebrate together, or will Carol have met someone who will whisk her away from us by the time I turn sixty? Maybe I will be even more of a penniless wannabe author than I am now and have given up on my dream. If Michael hadn’t strayed, I wonder how different things would have been. The divorce was the hardest thing I have ever been through in my life. Harder even than my parents dying in a way, because I losteverything. I lost the little family unit that I thought we were. I lost my home. I lost the life I thought I had and the future I had imagined. I grieved for all those things we would never get to do. Michael and I would now never be one of those couples celebrating a ruby wedding anniversary with our grandchildren around us. Everything had changed forever. But, sat here in Monaco, I recognise that change isn’t always a bad thing. I’d much prefer to be on my own than stay with a philanderer. I have far too much self-respect to ever stay with someone like that. Because of his choices, I can now live my life as I want to. It is my time, and Monaco is a pretty wonderful place to start living my best life and fulfil my dream career. Finally, I am excited about what the future has in store instead of being fearful.
The waitress interrupts my thoughts when she asks if we want more drinks. Since we have to get back to Monaco, we decide to have the last nightcap at home again, like last night.
We are heading back in the direction of the apartment, and dozing in the taxi, when Soraya reads a message that Andrew has just sent.
‘Oh, girls. I know who sent the champers.’
I thought we already knew who had sent the champers. We have all worked out that it was my handsome yacht skipper. But then my heart skips a beat as I register what Soraya is saying.
‘Aww, that’s so sweet. It was a present from Gianni. He gave Andrew the restaurant recommendation, you see, so Gianni arranged the champagne.’
I cringe to myself as I sit in the back of the taxi, feeling like such a fool. Why on earth would a skipper on a yacht that I have just met be sending us a bottle of the most expensive champagne in the middle of an upmarket restaurant? I must have been completely deluded to even consider it. Although, on a positive note, this means that at least Elias isn’t trying to swindle us by luring us into investing in some kind of cryptocurrency scam, or some lie about needing to borrow money for a spurious operation in the States.
But, still, I feel incredibly disappointed, having built up all sorts of scenarios in my head. I desperately try to smile and hide my chagrined face from my best friends. I am grateful that the back of the taxi is so dark.
Chapter Ten
For our last day in Monaco, Soraya decides we should do something cultural, rather than more shopping, champagne and casinos. I am quite impressed by her decision and wonder if she is becoming more sophisticated in her older years.
With a bit of a sore head after the combination of the finest champagne, cocktails and French wine, we set off early for our last day of sightseeing. We start off with the Prince’s Palace of Monaco to try and catch the changing of the guards. We had hoped we could go inside the palace. Carol loves nosing around people’s homes, but sadly, we are here too early in the season. So, we can only look at it from the outside. We admire the palace from under the shade of the trees that protect us from the sun, which is already glaring down on us. It is going to be a hot one today, and I am glad we got the sunbathing out of the way yesterday.
I look up at one of the palace balconies where pretty lavender-coloured flowers cascade down. If it wasn’t for the turrets and cannons, I’d have thought it was a beautiful mansion in the centre of Monaco. The three of us look up to the windows, desperately hoping to spot someone of importance. Sadly, it seems there is no sign of any royalty today.
Crowds of tourists line up outside the palace as the time approaches for the changing of the guards. The guards stand tall and upright in their pristine uniforms, and they strut about as we watch them from the Palace Square.
‘It’s like Buckingham Palace really, isn’t it?’ says Carol.
‘Only warmer. Don’t know how those guards stand around in uniform all day in this heat,’ says Soraya, wiping away a bead of sweat from her face.
As soon as they finish handing over to the new guards on duty, the crowds disperse, and we consider where we should go next. I’m hoping it’s somewhere air-conditioned.
‘Do you think we should have a look at the Grand Prix track?’ says Carol.
