I Know Where You Live, page 2
‘Ooh,’ said Sophie. ‘I wonder what that can be?’
‘Daddy calls Mommy …’ Angeline paused and looked at her mother, clearly trying to gauge her reaction. Penny felt frozen. She tried hard to smile, which was all the encouragement Angel needed.
‘Peanut!’ she screamed and burst into hysterical laughter. At the nickname or, more likely, the fact she’d been naughty enough to reveal a family secret to a stranger.
‘Someone’s getting a little bit overexcited, Sophie. I’m sorry.’
‘Please don’t apologise. It’s a pleasant diversion. My Kindle battery’s dead so your kids are, like, doing me a favour. Anyway, I need the practice.’
‘Oh, yeah?’
‘I’m hoping to find work as an au pair, ideally in a family with children. I’m kinda counting on it, to be honest, cos I’m not too keen on earning my keep by doing bar work or waitressing.’
‘Speak any French? Apart from enchanté?’ asked Seth, voicing one of his main concerns about their plan to live in France for a while.
‘I grew up bilingual. American mom, French dad. They met when my dad came to the States to study Louisiana French for his thesis. He swept her off her feet apparently. Then swept himself off out of our lives.’ She shrugged. ‘C’est la vie. How about you folks?’
‘Don’t speak any French at all. I’ve heard they all speak English, at least that’s what the guys at work said. Still, we’re hoping to take some lessons while we’re over there and Penny’s particularly keen for the kids to learn. We plan to send Angel to school and see if she likes it.’
‘That’s a great idea. They’ll soak French up like little sponges. Watch this.’
Sophie showed them a game of counting cards in French and within minutes Angel knew the numbers one to ten, and Ethan could say, ‘Un, deux, trois.’
‘Boy, I wish we could learn that fast,’ said Seth. ‘Are you a teacher, Sophie?’
‘No, but I’d like to be. Just not ready to go straight from college into teaching. I want to see a bit of the world first, starting with Paris. Where are you folks heading?’
‘Few days in Paris and then right down to the south. We’re doing a house exchange for six months.’
‘That’s amazing. My dad came from the South of France. You don’t think it could be the same town, do you?’
‘We’re heading for a place called Carcassonne.’
‘I’ve heard of it. Isn’t that where they filmed that Kevin Costner movie?’
‘That’s right. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Angeline is very excited about living near a castle, aren’t you, kiddo?’
The child nodded. ‘I want to see a princess.’
Penny became aware of people around them stirring. ‘Is it worth checking the board again?’ she asked Seth.
Before he could answer, passengers on Air France flight number FR543 to Paris were invited to proceed to the gate for immediate boarding. A cheer went up and Seth said, ‘Guess the strike’s off.’
‘Looks like it,’ said Penny. ‘No going back now.’
2
Sophie checked her watch then moved it forward to Central European time. The flight was scheduled to take seven and a half hours, which meant they should be landing in Paris mid-morning, all being well. Although the delay had been a pain in the ass, it might work in her favour. Sitting around the departure lounge had allowed her to indulge in her favourite pastime of people watching. It had also given her the chance to get to know that lovely family. The two kids were so cute. Sophie knew she would love to spend more time with them. She planned to wait until the flight was well under way then have a walk around the aircraft to see if she could spot them.
‘Something to drink?’ Sophie looked up at the flight attendant and said, ‘Yes, please. I’ll have a glass of white wine.’ May as well get into the French lifestyle. ‘Actually, sorry. Do you mind if I just have a diet soda instead?’ She didn’t want anyone to smell alcohol on her breath.
Dinner had been served and cleared away before Sophie got the chance to stretch her legs. Queues of passengers had formed outside the restrooms and, as Sophie squeezed apologetically past, Seth hailed her.
‘Hey, Sophie. How you doing? Pen’s right over there with the kids.’ He pointed a few rows back to four seats in the centre. ‘The little guy’s tuckered out. But Angeline’s wide awake.’
‘Should I go say hello?’
‘Yeah, they’ll be glad to see you.’
Penny, clearly pleased, greeted her like a friend and invited her to sit in the empty seat near the aisle. Seth’s, presumably. Angeline, in the next seat along, hugged Sophie’s arm when she sat down.
‘Angel, why don’t you go see Daddy up there by the restroom?’
‘But Mommy, I said I don’t need to go to the bathroom.’
‘I know you said that, but soon the lights will go down and everybody is meant to go to sleep. Be a good girl and go ask Daddy to take you.’
‘Will you wait right here till I come back, Sophie?’
Sophie laughed. ‘Sure, right here, and I might even show you another magic trick.’
‘Promise?’
‘Cross my heart.’
The child clambered over Sophie and ran off down the aisle.
Penny leaned towards her, as if she were about to share a secret.
‘This might be way out of line, Sophie, but Seth and I have been talking. We’re wondering if, by any chance, you’re planning on staying in Paris for a few days?’
Sophie knew it would be better to appear a bit wary, so she said nothing.
Penny blustered on. ‘Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked. I’m sure you’ve already made plans. It’s just that, with your fluent French, and you’re so good with the children. Sorry, I’ve embarrassed you.’
Sophie smiled and touched Penny’s arm. ‘You haven’t embarrassed me. I’m, like, a bit surprised, that’s all. What did you have in mind?’
‘No wonder you’re surprised. You don’t know a thing about us. You probably think I’m a complete madwoman. I mean, we’ve only just met. In an airport lounge, of all places. Sorry, forget I mentioned it.’
Sophie felt a rush of sympathy. ‘Mentioned what, Penny?’
‘I’m not quite sure how we’re going to find our way around Paris. I’m worried.’
‘Can I let you into a secret?’ Sophie whispered.
Penny nodded.
‘To tell you the truth, I’m scared shitless.’ She clamped her hand over her mouth, exactly like Angeline had earlier. ‘This seemed like a great adventure when I was planning it. Now? Not so much.’
Penny laughed. ‘Me too. The reality of dragging my family halfway across the world is beginning to kick in. What on earth was I thinking? How will we ever survive in a country where we don’t speak a word of the language?’
‘You’ll manage. Everyone does, eventually. Apparently.’
‘Could you be any more encouraging?’
Both women laughed and little Ethan stirred on his mother’s lap. He opened his eyes, said, ‘Sophie,’ and went back to sleep.
‘I think my kids are a little bit in love with you. Oops, here comes trouble.’
Angeline climbed over Sophie back into her seat, then rummaged in her little backpack and produced the playing cards.
‘Will you have a think about meeting up in Paris, Sophie? Doing a bit of sightseeing together?’
‘Say yes, Sophie,’ squealed Angeline. ‘Then I can learn more tricks.’
‘It’s okay, Penny. I don’t need to think about it. I’ll make us a plan. Right after I’ve taught this kid my favourite card trick.’
‘Maybe we can talk again when we land?’ said Penny.
The lights dimmed as Sophie returned to her seat. She reclined it as far back as it would go. In economy, that wasn’t much. She unwrapped a little blanket from its polythene bag and plumped up the tiny pillow she’d been allocated. It was important she grab a few hours’ shut-eye. She’d need to be alert tomorrow. She wondered what the little family was thinking about, back there in row fifty-one. If the parents were still awake, they were probably thinking how perfect she was and how meeting her was going to make their life so much easier.
If only they knew.
3
By the time she was in a position to ring, Sophie was about eight hours late in making the agreed phone call. She hoped Miss L would be okay about it. She didn’t want to lose this job, especially now she’d met the family. They seemed like great people. The wife might indeed be a bit neurotic, as Miss L had suggested, but no wonder. What woman wouldn’t be nervy, making the changes they had planned? With two small kids. The husband was so laid back he would probably make up for it.
They’d seemed genuinely delighted when Sophie told them she’d love to meet up the next day, visit some sights together. They were kind people, she was sure of it. They had even insisted on giving her a ride from the airport in the oversized cab they’d booked in advance.
‘See why we had to go for a large cab?’ asked Seth, as he retrieved bag after bag from the conveyor belt and piled them on a luggage cart. ‘Why do kids always need so much stuff?’
They’d paid off the taxi at their budget hotel and insisted she keep it for the rest of her journey to the ‘hostel’ she’d booked ‘somewhere near the Arc de Triomphe’. The driver hadn’t batted an eyelid when she told him her destination was the plush Concorde Lafayette at Porte Maillot.
Sophie’s room was on the twenty-second floor. She dumped her bags and drew back the pale gauze curtain, gasping at the view. Way over the rooftops the Sacré-Coeur Basilica sparkled on its hilltop. Sophie had done her homework and had a fair idea of how this city was laid out, as well as a clear plan for how much she could see in a few days. She’d wanted to visit Paris for as long as she could remember and Miss L’s offer of an all-expenses-paid trip had been enough to tempt her.
She dragged herself away from the window and flopped on the bed. Eyes closed, she fought sleep as she fumbled in her bag for the new mobile phone she’d been given. It had been topped up with a staggeringly large amount of money, designed to cope with many transatlantic calls. The first of which she knew she ought to make right now, dog-tired though she was.
It was answered on the first ring.
‘Oh, my sweet Lord! Thank goodness. Whatever happened?’
‘Hi, I’m sorry. The flight was delayed because of some strike threat. I was worried for a bit that it might be cancelled.’
‘That would most certainly have been inconvenient, not to say disastrous.’
Sophie loved this woman’s voice. Her breathy delivery and tinkly laugh always made her think of Scarlett O’ Hara in Gone with the Wind, Mom’s all-time favourite movie.
‘Yes, we were all, like, pretty relieved when they suddenly announced the flight was boarding.’
‘I’ll bet you were. Did you get a chance to make contact?’
Sophie smiled to herself, sure her employer would be pleased with her progress.
She wasn’t disappointed. The tinkly laughter showered over her like fairy dust and the compliments came thick and fast. ‘Oh, you clever little thing! How smart you are! All I’d hoped for at this stage was that you’d find out more about their eventual destination so you might be able to follow them.’
‘It was so easy. Maybe because I told them my dad was French? I think that made them, like, trust me? Anyway, you were right, it’s Carcassonne.’
The laughter stopped. ‘When you say “it was so easy”, I hope you didn’t give them cause to be suspicious?’
‘No. I didn’t.’
‘Not even the tiniest reason? It won’t take much. I hope you’re sure?’
The word sounded like shoo-ah and made Sophie smile again.
‘It’s fine. I’m sure.’ She was confident the family trusted her. Why wouldn’t they? ‘Penny practically begged me to join them when they go sightseeing tomorrow. I didn’t jump at the offer. To tell you the truth, I was a bit shocked myself at how quickly it all happened, so it was easy to sound surprised and, like, indecisive.’
‘What did you do? How did you leave it with them?’ Sophie noticed the note of panic that had crept into the voice. This wasn’t the first time she’d heard it.
‘I’m boxing clever. I told Penny I’m scared, too. Not sure this big adventure is such a good idea after all. That’s exactly how she’s feeling, by the way. She told me so.’
‘You haven’t arranged to see them again? Oh, my Lord! What if you lose contact, or they change their minds?’
‘I won’t. And I’m sure they won’t. Please don’t worry. I’m meeting them tomorrow at the Eiffel Tower and we’re going to spend the day together. I’ve got an itinerary all planned out. I want to appear, like, totally trustworthy and reliable. Also, I intend to get those kids on my side.’
The line was quiet for a few moments, as if the woman on the other end was thinking, considering the points Sophie had made. She held her breath. She wanted this job to work out.
‘Fine.’
Sophie relaxed.
‘I think you’re handling this well, Sophie, by the sound of it. Did you remember to bring the references I prepared for you?’
‘Yes, I did.’
‘I don’t imagine they’ll ask for them at this stage. You don’t think it will seem a little odd, spending the day with complete strangers?’
‘Maybe strangers isn’t the right word. We chatted in the airport lounge, on the flight, in baggage reclaim, and during the cab ride all the way into town. We hit it off so it’s natural to want to spend more time together. By the way, I mentioned that I’m here to look for a nanny’s job. Just like you said I should.’
‘Well done. I knew I’d made a wise choice when I picked a Louisiana girl.’
‘Thanks, Miss L. I won’t let you down.’
‘You’d better not, for all our sakes.’
Sophie shivered a little. At those words? The tone of voice? Or just because she was jet-lagged and desperate for a shower?
‘Anyway, tell me, how are my sweet grandchildren?’
This was a more comfortable topic and Sophie grabbed it. ‘Oh, they’re adorable! So cute, and such bright little buttons.’
‘Bright, you say?’
‘Absolutely. Particularly Angeline. The little boy isn’t saying very much, yet.’
‘Just as well, for what we have in mind.’
‘Yeah, guess so.’
‘Do you know when they’re heading for Carcassonne?’
‘In a couple of days. We didn’t discuss it in detail. I thought it best not to seem too curious.’
‘Is their hotel the one we were expecting?’
‘Yep, and it’s not nearly as chic as mine, thank you.’
‘You’re very welcome, my dear. Try to get a French bank account set up as soon as you can and I’ll arrange for your allowance to be transferred. As I explained before, the larger sum will be deposited into your Internet bank account on completion.’
‘Thanks, Miss L.’ Sophie felt the same awkwardness she always did using the name she knew was false. Once they’d reached a point in their relationship where her employer had gained enough trust, she’d explained to Sophie that the ‘bilingual nanny job’ she’d applied for was not quite as advertised. She’d shared more details and wasted no time in telling Sophie that the name Mouche-Chamier was false. She’d made it clear to Sophie that the situation was extremely delicate and for that reason she chose to protect her real identity. She went on to add that she expected Sophie would Google Miss Louise Mouche-Chamier. ‘Isn’t that what you young people always do these days? Save yourself the time, my dear. You’ll come up with nothing.’
She’d been right on both counts.
‘Why don’t you get some rest now, Sophie? You must be completely worn out after that awful journey. I know I would be. You’re going to need your wits about you tomorrow. Let’s speak again once you have a clearer picture of their plans, yes?’
‘Yes. And thank you.’
‘Y’all take care now.’
Perhaps it was the southern drawl of her homeland, or perhaps the kind tone of voice, but Sophie believed Miss L was genuinely concerned for her welfare. That’s what had drawn her into this intrigue in the first place: the woman’s kindness and a desire to help her. That, plus an irrepressible curiosity she’d had since childhood. Although the sensible side of her brain was telling her to be careful, Sophie liked to think of herself as a free spirit, ready to grab every adventure life might offer. Unfortunately, being a free spirit meant she had no one to turn to, except her mother, when she needed advice on something like this. As far as her mom was concerned, going to be a nanny in France was as good a career plan as any.
Sophie’s mom had met, married and produced two kids to another man when her dashing Frenchman had dashed off back to France and deserted her. Sophie had been eight, old enough to speak two languages fluently, but not nearly old enough to understand how grown-ups can fall in and out of love. She had been hard to convince, no matter how much her mother tried, that Papa still loved her, even though he had packed his bags and gone while she was at school. He’d left her nothing but a billet-doux, one of the little love letters he’d written since she was old enough to read. She used to find them in her lunchbox with her sandwiches. ‘Bon appétit, chérie.’ Or tucked under her pillow. ‘Golden slumbers, my precious one.’
Sophie had also been hard to convince that her mom still loved her, given how little attention she gave Sophie, compared to her cute half-brothers. Many a time she’d wished someone would just take them away so that she could have her mom’s undivided attention. Her stepfather was kind enough, and generous to a fault, putting her through college, buying her a car and, she supposed, trying hard to be a good dad to his stepdaughter. But no matter how much effort John made, Sophie longed for the handsome Papa of her early childhood.
Maybe she’d look him up. She could start her research while she waited for the next step of their plan to work itself out. She knew Papa and his family came originally from the Aude, but it was a big area. She imagined the joy of meeting her father again after all those years.
