Dangerous Waters, page 23
‘I’m glad. That’s what I want you to feel – safe. I’ve always loved being out at sea and have sailed the Med several times, sleeping on board for weeks at a time. Perhaps when your confidence returns you’d like to come with me to Sark. We could stay on board at night and enjoy the island during the day.’
Seeing her look of uncertainty Nick added, quickly, ‘But that doesn’t have to be for ages, don’t worry. I don’t want to rush you.’
Jeanne’s concern was not just about going to sea on a small boat but being in such close proximity with Nick. But she couldn’t tell him that!
Instead she replied, ‘I guess I’m still a bit of a scaredy-cat. But thanks for the offer. As soon as I feel ready to take the plunge, I’ll let you know. I’m sure you’re a very good sailor.’
‘You’ll be in safe hands with me, for sure. I know these waters like the back of my hand. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. Can we choose some food before I disgrace myself and eat all those peanuts?’
Jeanne giggled and the knot in her stomach uncoiled. They made their choice from the menu and moved inside to their table a little later.
She wasn’t sure if Nick had been sensitive to her unease earlier but, for whatever reason, he steered the conversation away from anything intimate. It was fascinating to hear about the trips he’d made, particularly to the Mediterranean. He was much more travelled than she was and she was envious of his confidence and experience.
‘My favourite trips were to the Greek Islands. I took a year off after college and went crewing for British yacht owners. Some of the islands were barely touched by tourism then and the sight of the brilliant white buildings and incredible blue roofs was magical. The Cyclades were particularly popular with yachties so we regularly went to Paros, Naxos and Mykonos. I also remember Delos, the fabled birthplace of Apollo, as something special. You can still see the temples and impressive mosaics,’ he sighed. ‘There are times when I wish I could just take six months off and go sailing round those islands again.’
Jeanne’s eyes were shining. ‘It sounds wonderful, Nick. I’ve always wanted to go to the Greek Islands but having to use ferries put me off. I’m fascinated by ancient Greece and its mythology and Apollo’s birthplace has to be special. Perhaps one day I’ll be able to see for myself.’
Nick opened his mouth to say something then seemed to change his mind.
‘How about some coffee?’ he asked a moment later.
‘Please, I’d like a cappuccino.’
They lingered over their coffee and it was only after a discreet cough from one of the waiters that they realised that they were the only diners left.
They walked slowly in the direction of the access ramp.
‘Thanks, Nick. That was lovely. And you’ve obviously been there before,’ she said, smiling at him.
‘Glad you enjoyed it. It’s one of my favourites. Have to admit I’m a bit lazy where cooking for myself is concerned. It’s easier to go out.’
‘You’re well catered for next week, anyway. Colette will continue to perform wonders in that wasted kitchen of yours.’
‘I’m looking forward to it. And I’m hoping that you’ll join me?’
‘Yes, don’t see why not. But I’d like to get back to the boat before it gets dark.’
‘I shall make sure that Cinderella leaves well before, never fear. And thanks for being with me. I really enjoy your company, Jeanne, and I’d like us to get to know each other better. But I don’t want to rush you into anything.’ He turned to face her, putting his hands on her shoulders and she gazed up into his eyes, which reflected the blue of the water.
‘I enjoy being with you, too. And it’d be good to spend time getting to know you too. Won’t be difficult, what with my working in your house during the day and living on your boat at night!’
He laughed.
‘Right, yes. Good. I’ll look forward to dinner tomorrow.’ He then kissed her lingeringly on her mouth, gently parting her lips with his tongue. Jeanne felt her body respond and could have stayed locked in his kiss forever, but Nick pulled back slowly and said, huskily, ‘Bye for now.’
Jeanne nodded numbly and watched him stride back to his jeep. She went down the ramp and along the pontoon in a daze. What a kiss! I guess he must fancy me to kiss like that! Incapable of doing much else, she changed into shorts and stretched out on the mat on the bow, daydreaming about strong arms and soft kisses.
The next few days were a pleasant antidote to all the drama of the previous couple of weeks. Even though Jeanne was not enjoying the food preparation as much, she did enjoy Colette’s company. The monotony of chopping up food was relieved by the odd foray to buy fish and shellfish. She wondered if Colette had sensed her waning enthusiasm as she encouraged her to spend more time on her book whenever possible.
On Monday Jeanne had had her session with Molly and her confidence with boats was increasing. Thanks to the progress they were making Molly had said that the following week she might use regression therapy to focus on the accident. Jeanne felt both nervous and excited at the thought and shared her feelings with Nick as they tasted some of the day’s offerings on Tuesday, Calamares a la Provencale.
‘I can see why you’d still feel nervous. But I’m sure Molly’s stressed that you’ll be remembering something that’s already happened and you survived. You know you will be all right. So there’s nothing to be afraid of. What you might remember, more importantly, are details of the white boat and who was on board. With luck you’ll be able to give the police a good enough description to track them down. And that’s what you want, isn’t it?’ Nick said, gently.
Jeanne smiled her relief. ‘Yes, that’s exactly what I want. Thanks for putting it in perspective for me. I guess I’ll be fine. As you said, I’m still here!’
The evenings with Nick had gone well, he’d been attentive and entertaining and at all times the gentleman. He’d kissed her goodnight when she left but they were only light caresses of her lips. Secretly she’d have enjoyed more passionate kisses but she did appreciate his forbearance – for both of them. It looked as if he didn’t want to frighten her away but was slowly, tenderly reeling her into his arms. And it felt good, she smiled to herself, it felt very good indeed.
chapter twenty-eight
With mixed feelings Jeanne helped Colette with the final touches to the food on Friday afternoon. Colette’s leave was over and the cooking of the Guernsey dishes would take place in her own time, in her flat. They had worked through a large number of recipes over the past two weeks and all had received top marks from the tasters.
Although Jeanne was glad to be free of the cooking she was going to miss Colette and spending time with Nick. The boat was a bit too claustrophobic to spend all day on and she planned to spend more time in the library.
That final evening, Colette was joining Nick and Jeanne for the meal and the girls decorated the dining table as if for a celebration. Jeanne had bought wine to complement the food and they were both feeling pleased with their combined efforts.
‘It’s such a shame Scott has to work, he’d have appreciated a proper sit-down meal instead of a tray perched on his lap,’ Colette said, fiddling with the Hors D’Oeuvre.
‘At least he knows you’re safely with your brother and not entertaining some strange man,’ grinned Jeanne.
Colette looked up and gave her a sly look. ‘I might be safe, but are you? Seems to me I’ll be playing gooseberry this evening.’
Jeanne flushed. ‘Don’t know what you mean! Nick and I are just friends. Nothing’s happened between us, honest.’
‘Yet! But if I know my brother, and I should do, he’s got the hots for you, all right. I don’t think you’ll be able to play Miss Innocent for too much longer!’ Colette smirked.
‘Mm, well, I guess we do hit it off a bit. But neither of us wants to rush things. We’ve both been hurt too much before to make another mistake.’
‘Don’t get me wrong, Jeanne. I think it’d be great if you two become an item. I can see how well you get on and I think you’d be good for him. And I hope he’d be good for you, too. He’s a really nice guy who got a bit prickly after he was dumped but I’ve noticed how much happier he’s been since you came on the scene. And just think, one day we could be sisters!’
Jeanne threw a napkin she had been folding at Colette who burst into a fit of giggles. It was infectious and Jeanne was soon joining in until they were both on the verge of collapse. They fell, laughing, into chairs and that’s how Nick found them.
‘Anyone care to share the joke?’ he said, standing over them like a teacher with naughty schoolchildren.
This just prompted another fit of giggles and Nick stood there, rolling his eyes.
‘Is it something in the food? Some new ingredient you’re testing? Or have you already started on the wine?’
The girls managed to pull themselves together and insisted that they had not touched a drop.
‘Just a female joke, that’s all. You wouldn’t understand, bruv. Now, why don’t you go and freshen up while we finish off here?’ suggested Colette, waving Nick off in the direction of the stairs.
‘Ok, ok. I’ll be back in fifteen minutes. Perhaps you’ll have calmed down by then,’ he said dryly.
Colette and Jeanne just grinned at each other and hurried to finish off serving the starters, a mixed Hors D’Oeuvre and Escargots de Bourgogne. The main courses were Turbot Dugléré and Morue Gourmet, much lighter than some of the meat dishes they had been eating earlier that week. The puddings were less healthy, Clafouti Limousin and Coeurs à la Crème, but they wanted their last meal to end in style.
When Nick returned to the kitchen he was met by a candle lit table set with the starters and the girls looking very summery without their cooking aprons.
‘I almost feel that I should be wearing a jacket and tie,’ he said, putting his arms around both girls’ shoulders. ‘And what more could a man want than to wine and dine with his two favourite women?’ he grinned.
Colette rolled her eyes and ushered him to his seat.
The meal was fun, the food was delicious and the Chablis a perfect accompaniment. They were all in good spirits by the time they started to clear away and Nick looked fondly at Colette and Jeanne.
‘This has been quite an experience, girls. I’ve not eaten so well and for so long before. Colette, you’ve surpassed yourself. And the sous chef wasn’t bad either,’ he said, catching Jeanne’s eye.
‘That’s very kind of you, bruv. But, although, in all modesty, I must agree with you that I’m a great chef, I have to give credit where it’s due. And that’s to those recipes of Jeanne’s. Some of them were truly inspired and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed re-creating them. When I open my own restaurant I’d be happy to serve such food to my diners.’
‘We’ll definitely be your first customers when you open your doors!’ Nick said.
Jeanne noticed the term ‘we’ and her heart fluttered. If he’s looking that far ahead he must think we’re going to be a couple, she thought. Hope he’s right!
The weekend was a time of peace and reflection for Jeanne, free from her kitchen duties. She spent some time collating all the details of the recipes Colette had worked on. It was difficult to concentrate for long in the heat of the cabin and she went out to the cockpit at regular intervals for air. She concluded that it would be more sensible to work in the early evening and relax more in the heat of the day.
She and Nick had agreed to forgo eating out for a while to give their stomachs a chance to recover from the barrage of gourmet meals they’d ingested. They would stay in touch by meeting up at the café on The Bridge for a coffee or light lunch a couple of times a week.
On Monday morning Jeanne went off to the cottage to check on Martin’s progress and was delighted to see that destruction had given way to construction. The plasterer was due to start that week, a sign that the work was progressing apace. Martin was cheerful.
‘It’s saving us at least two weeks with your being out o’ the cottage, Jeanne. May even be able to let you back in here sooner than I’d expected,’ he grinned. ‘Are the kitchen people still coming next week?’
‘Yes, they phoned to say they’d be here next Monday. Are you ready to take out the old range and cupboards?’
Martin nodded. ‘I’ve got a couple o’ lads coming in to dismantle the range this week. If you could pack up your pots and pans we can start on the cupboards.’
Jeanne emptied the cupboards and the dresser and the labourer carried the boxes up to the attic for safekeeping. Her home was slowly emptying of everything from her past and she felt a pang as she looked around. It may have been shabby and a bit uncomfortable but it was her family’s heritage and Jeanne felt guilty about what could be seen as a desecration of that legacy. Her only consolation was that the cottage would retain its charm and character with its uneven floors and slightly ill-fitting windows. It was just going to lose its dodgy plumbing and winter chill, she reminded herself.
One aspect that she felt particularly proud of was the exposed beams. The black paint had been sandblasted off to reveal the original golden brown oak underneath. The rooms looked lighter and warmer and Jeanne left feeling that, on balance, her efforts at transformation were beneficial.
By the time she had finished changing the flowers on the graves it was nearly three and Jeanne set off to Molly’s for her therapy session. She was still feeling a little nervous, in spite of Nick’s reassurance, but had complete faith in Molly’s professionalism.
‘Hello, Jeanne. Had a good week?’ asked Molly as she gave her a quick hug.
‘Yes, I have, thanks. Progress all round,’ Jeanne smiled.
‘Good. We might as well get started then.’
When Jeanne was settled in the recliner Molly explained how the session would proceed.
‘When you’re relaxed I’ll reinforce the positive suggestions I’ve been using in the sessions. Then I’ll ask your subconscious mind to take you back in time to the day of the accident. I’ll ask you questions to help you remember and you’ll be able to answer while still in an hypnotic state. You may not see everything clearly this first time. Some people say it’s as if they’re seeing things through a fog so don’t worry if that happens. It may be a lot clearer next time. All right?’
Jeanne nodded and managed a tight smile. ‘Sure, let’s get going.’
Molly spent a few minutes talking Jeanne into a deep relaxed state, noting her breathing slowing and becoming deeper. After a further few minutes of what Molly referred to as her ‘ego-boosting routine’ it was time to use the regression technique.
‘Now, Jeanne, I want your subconscious mind to help you to go back in time, back in time. To the evening of Sunday 6th August 1989. I repeat, the evening of Sunday 6th August 1989. You are in your father’s boat ‘JayJay’ with your mother and father. You’ve been to Herm for the day and are now on the way home to Guernsey, to St Peter Port. Can you see yourselves in the boat, Jeanne?’
‘Yes. Dad’s at the steering wheel and mum and I are in the cockpit, in the stern. Mum’s standing up, near the rail and I’m sitting down.’ Jeanne’s voice was quiet but clear and Molly was writing it all down.
‘Good. Do you know what time it is, Jeanne?’
‘About ten, I think. It’s dark and we’re late coming back, we don’t usually come back so late. But Mum and Dad were delayed, I don’t know why. Dad’s cross about something and wants to get home quickly.’
‘Right. Now, can you tell me what happens next?’
Jeanne shifted slightly in the chair and she frowned, still with her eyes closed.
‘Um, we’re about half-way back. We’ve been the only boat around till now but I can see another boat behind us, coming from Herm I suppose. It’s white. Looks like a speedboat. Seems to be doing a few knots. Dad’s seen it now. He calls to Mum. It sounds like ‘It’s them!’’ Again Jeanne stirred and her face twisted into a grimace.
‘It’s all right, Jeanne. Take your time. Can you see who’s in the boat?’
‘I… I… think there’s two… two men. Yes, definitely two.’
‘Can you describe them to me?’
‘I can see fair hair. Both have fair hair. And they’re tall. Seem tall in the boat. The one steering looks young. Both look young. But their faces are a bit blurred. It’s so dark,’ she whispered.
‘That’s good, Jeanne. What happens next?’
‘They seem to be… heading… for… us. Dad’s shouting… at… them… but… they… keep coming. We’re… near… some rocks… dad pulls the wheel… but… we’re… still… too… close… to… the… rocks. The boat’s hit us!’ Jeanne gasped. ‘To starboard… and the boat… shudders.… mum’s… losing her balance… staggers… we hit the… rocks… and mum staggers… again… looks dizzy… I think… she’s hit… her… head… she’s… trying to… hold… onto… the… rail. Oh no!… the boat’s… hitting… us… again… our boat’s… capsizing. And Oh God!… mum’s… falling over… the… rail! Dad yells… at… me ‘take the wheel’… and he… goes… toward… mum. Oh! no! I can’t see them!’ Jeanne cried out, thrashing about in the chair.
‘It’s all right, Jeanne. It’s all right. I want you to leave that time now. It’s time to come back to the present. I’m going to bring you back to the present and there will be no part of you left behind in the past.’
Molly then brought Jeanne back from that night and the memory of what happened and ended the trance.
As Jeanne opened her eyes and blinked, unfocussed, Molly handed her a glass of water.
‘Here, Jeanne, take some deep breaths and then drink this.’
She looked pale but felt calmer after drinking the water and her eyes regained their focus.
‘How do you feel now?’ Molly asked gently.
‘I’ve felt better! But I guess I’m okay. It was like watching an old film. Some bits were clearer than others.’ Jeanne shuddered.
