Chapter Eighteen
Anna, putting the finishing touches to the special dinner she’d prepared, glanced out of the kitchen window to where Leo was busy organising things around the pool. He didn’t seem disappointed that they were eating at the villa tonight instead of finding a special restaurant as he’d initially suggested.
‘A romantic dinner with just the two of us here, will be wonderful,’ he’d said. ‘So long as it’s not too much trouble for you.’
‘I love having someone special to cook for,’ Anna had answered.
Watching Leo light the candles on the table and adjust the chairs, Anna felt a wave of love wash over her. She was so lucky to have met Leo. Picking up their smoked salmon starters she took them outside and placed them on the table.
Standing there with the candles and the sonar garden lights flickering into life and the occasional bat flitting through the twilight, Anna looked at Leo, and said softly, ‘I need to talk to you.’
Moving to her side, Leo took her in his arms. ‘In a minute. First, I love you – will you marry me?’
Although she’d been longing to hear that very question for some months, she hadn’t expected Leo to choose this particular evening to voice it and Anna looked at him in wonder before whispering, ‘Yes. If you’ll have me after we’ve talked.’
‘Shh, there is nothing you can tell me that will stop me loving you,’ Leo said seriously. ‘Now, where’s the ring?’ and he took a small box out of his pocket. The ruby and diamond ring he slipped on her finger was a perfect fit and Anna touched it in wonder.
‘It’s beautiful, thank you.’
‘Beautiful like you, my darling,’ Leo said before kissing her.
Later as they sat sipping the champagne he had fetched from the kitchen, Leo asked, ‘So, what’s the verdict on your return to Cannes? Has it been a success for you so far? Laid the ghost that has haunted your life so far?’
Anna shook her head. ‘No not really. Shall we just say the current situation is fluid.’ She looked at Leo. ‘I want you to meet Bruno.’
‘This is the old friend you had lunch with?’
Anna nodded. ‘I think you’ll like him. He’s Philippe’s best friend from years ago and they are, were, still close. He was called Brian in those days. He told me things I didn’t know. Philippe thought I’d rejected him, when I was convinced he’d rejected me. Bruno told me how Philippe had tried to find me.’
Anna was quiet for several seconds before adding quietly, ‘My late parents don’t come out of this well, but,’ she shrugged. ‘I can’t challenge them about it now. I suppose they did what they believed to be right at the time.’
Thoughtfully she twirled the champagne in her glass and watched the bubbles plop on the surface before taking a deep breath and saying, ‘I had Philippe Cambone’s baby. Then I had to give him away.’
Leo leant forward and gently wiped away the tears that were starting to fall down Anna’s cheeks.
‘Oh my darling, that must have been so hard for you.’
Anna nodded, unable to speak as she tried to stem the tears.
‘I’d sort of guessed there was more to your relationship with Philippe than you’d told me,’ Leo said. ‘But you having a baby all alone and having to give it up, didn’t cross my mind.’
‘I wrote to him when I found out I was pregnant but I didn’t hear from him so I assumed he’d changed his mind about me. That he didn’t love me like he said. I waited and waited, hoping to hear from him, but the moment my parents realised “my condition”, all hell broke loose.’
‘The swinging sixties didn’t embrace everyone did they?’ Leo said.
‘Certainly not my parents. I was bundled off to a home for wayward girls and told if I kept the baby I was never to darken their doors again,’ Anna said. ‘Seems unbelievable in this day and age doesn’t it?’ She shook her head.
‘Anyway, when Jean-Philippe – that’s what I called my son – was twenty-four hours old I had to say goodbye and hand him over for adoption.’ Anna bit her lip at the memory of that moment.
‘I’ve had no contact with him from that day to this. I had hoped when the adoption privacy laws changed a few years ago, he would get in touch but,’ she shrugged her shoulders despondently. ‘I guess he’s happy without me, the mother who gave him away, in his life.’
‘I can’t believe you’ve worked in the film industry for so long and not bumped into Philippe Cambone,’ Leo said. ‘That all this hasn’t come out before.’
Anna shrugged. ‘Bruno said the same. It’s such a vast industry and I made sure I was in a totally different section of it. Besides, Philippe worked mostly in the States and I stayed this side of the Atlantic.’
She glanced at Leo. ‘I did follow his career for years. In the beginning I couldn’t help myself. I had to know what he was doing. I even went to a lecture he gave one year at the Film Institute in London, just to be close to him. It was torture and I never did it again.’
Anna was silent for a moment, taking the handkerchief Leo had used to gently wipe her cheeks and twisting it into knots.
‘Yesterday Bruno mentioned something. Apparently just before he died Philippe received a letter from someone suggesting they were related, and asking to meet him during the festival. Philippe had agreed to a meeting but no firm date was arranged. The Cambones are worried now there maybe an unexpected claim against Philippe’s estate.’
Anna bit her lip as she looked at Leo. ‘Do you think this person could be my son?’
‘Oh Anna my darling, anything is possible but don’t get your hopes up too high. Did Bruno give you a name or anything? Indicate what the relationship was? Who’d written the letter?’
‘No. You rang and I left before I could ask him any questions,’ Anna said.
‘To think I’d almost come to terms with the fact that I would never see my son again,’ Anna said. ‘But now, suddenly, I’ve got hope.’
Leo sighed as he gently stroked her hand. ‘Don’t raise your hopes too high, my darling,’ he said quietly. ‘Yes, it could be Philippe’s child seeking to establish his roots but it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be your child. Philippe could have had a relationship with somebody else during the last forty years.’
‘I know, I know,’ Anna said, before whispering, ‘But wouldn’t it be wonderful if it was my Jean-Philippe?’
Chapter Nineteen
After a restless night Anna woke the next morning to the sound of rain splattering against the windows. Quickly she pushed the covers back and swung her legs out of bed. This was the south of France, it shouldn’t be raining, especially not today with the premiere of Future Promises tonight. The one thing she didn’t need was a walk up the red carpet in the rain.
The smell of coffee was wafting upstairs and she could hear Leo in the kitchen whistling happily. Shrugging herself into her housecoat, Anna made her way downstairs.
Leo turned as she entered the kitchen. ‘Good morning, my darling. Coffee?’
‘Please. I can’t believe it’s raining,’ Anna said.
‘Forecast is for it to clear by midday,’ Leo said reassuringly. ‘Now, what’s our timetable for today?’ he asked, handing her a mug of coffee.
‘Hairdresser for me this morning. There is some jewellery being delivered here this afternoon at about five o’clock then a limo arrives at seven to takes us to town.’
‘So, nothing major for me to get involved with?’ Leo asked.
Anna shook her head. ‘No. Is there something you’d like to do? We could have lunch in town after my hair do is finished if you like. The restaurant I met Bruno in yesterday was very good.’
‘OK. I’ll book us a table.’
‘Talking of Bruno,’ Anna hesitated, not sure how Leo would react to her next words. ‘I’m going to ring and ask him to tell me the name of this person who has contacted the Cambones – if he knows it.’
‘Oh Anna, d’you think that’s wise? Why not wait until after the premiere at least. After this evening you’ll be able to relax and deal with ... well, deal with whatever the remaining week of the Festival throws at you.’
‘I just want to know the name,’ Anna said. ‘But you’re right. I’ll wait until after the premier. We’ll enjoy the party tonight.’
‘Does Bruno know abut the true depth of your relationship with Philippe?’ Leo asked.
Anna shook her head. ‘Not sure. You’re the first person I’ve ever told. Though from the way he was talking yesterday, I think Bruno may have some idea. Philippe obviously talked to him about me.’
They both turned as there was a gentle knock on the door. Daisy apologised when Anna opened the door.
‘Anna, I’m sorry to bother you so early but I need to ask you a couple of favours.’
Anna looked at her warily.
‘First, your party on Tuesday. Could my friend Nat possibly come? He a scriptwriter trying to make some contacts. At the moment he’s had to resort to taking a nanny job – oh I think you met Cindy the other day didn’t you? She’s Verity Raymond’s daughter and Nat’s looking after her while her parents are at the festival; her father’s on the jury.’
‘Of course Nat can come. He should be able to make a few contacts if nothing else. I’ll try to introduce him to as many people as I can,’ Anna said generously. ‘The other favour?’
‘My editor e-mailed me this morning. He’s heard a rumour that Johnny Depp is to star as Tonto in a remake of The Lone Ranger and says that if Johnny is in town I’m to get an interview with him. As if!’ Daisy shook her head.
‘But he’s definitely putting the pressure on for me to come up with something, so I was wondering if you’d thought any more about walking around Cannes with me and giving me the before and after picture?’ Daisy looked hopefully at Anna. ‘Tomorrow morning would be good for me.’
‘Oh Daisy, I really don’t know,’ Anna said sighing.
‘Any reason why I shouldn’t tag along?’ Leo asked unexpectedly. ‘I’d be interested in hearing your reminiscences first hand. Would you mind?’ he asked turning to Daisy.
‘No, I don’t mind,’ Daisy answered. ‘Especially if it would make Anna feel better about doing it?’ and she looked at Anna questioningly.
‘OK,’ Anna smiled. ‘I give in. Although I’m still not sure that I’m going to remember anything of importance – or even of interest. It was all so long ago.’
‘Great. Thanks Anna. Eleven o’clock outside the Palais des Festival tomorrow morning all right for you then? Enjoy the premiere tonight. Really hope the rain clears up for you.’
The weather forecast was right. The rain did stop and by the evening as Anna and Leo prepared for their appearance on the red carpet, it was dry, even if the breeze was on the chilly side.
Anna handed the diamond and sapphire necklace that had been delivered to the villa earlier that afternoon to Leo. ‘Could you do the catch, please? I’m terrified I won’t do it up properly and I’ll lose it. I dread to think how much it’s worth.’
‘It’s rather lovely isn’t it?’ Leo said as he carefully did up the clasp and double checked it. ‘The sapphires match your dress perfectly.’
‘Does my dress look all right?’ Anna asked anxiously. ‘I wasn’t sure when I bought it whether it was too fitted for me. And these sandals,’ she glanced down at the silver strappy shoes with their five-inch heels. ‘They’re not too high are they?’
‘Anna, Anna,’ Leo said as he turned her round to face him and gently kissed her. ‘You look beautiful tonight, my darling. Your dress, your hair, your shoes – everything is perfect. Now, relax and try to enjoy the evening.’
Standing in the circle of his arms, Anna smiled. ‘I’ll try. Having you here makes it very special. Have I told you how handsome you’re looking tonight?’
Leo shook his head. ‘We make such a perfect couple!’ he said laughing and delicately traced the outline of her face with his fingers before gently kissing her again.
As a brisk toot of a car horn sounded outside, Leo placed Anna’s white fake fur shrug around her shoulders, before picking up and handing her the small beaded clutch handbag she’d decided to use and taking her by the arm.
‘The red carpet awaits – let’s go.’
Sitting next to Leo as the limousine made its way towards the Palais des Festivals, Anna checked the contents of her bag: lipstick, comb, tissue and her locket. It was the first time for years that the gold locket wasn’t around her neck but the diamond and sapphire necklace had to take precedence tonight.
‘Relax and enjoy the evening,’ Leo whispered as the limousine came to a halt at the foot of the famous steps. A burly security man opened the car door and together Anna and Leo stepped onto the red carpet.
Nothing had prepared Anna for the noise and the exuberance of the large crowds lining the Croisette and along the front of the Palais. Four or five deep in places behind the barriers, she could see people standing on stools, several strategically placed ladders, all hoping for a better view of the stars as they arrived.
Leo took her hand as several flashlights went off.
‘Who do they think we are?’ Anna whispered to Leo.
‘Someone very famous obviously – you’re looking so glamorous tonight,’ Leo said, pulling her towards him and kissing her to the delight of the crowd.
Rick was waiting for them on the red carpet, standing slightly to one side of the stairs. ‘Anna, you look stunning. Nice to see you Leo. Helen and Rupert should be here in a moment,’ he said. ‘Then it will be our turn to walk the walk and face the paparazzi.’
‘The atmosphere is amazing,’ Anna said, looking around.
To her left a couple of television reporters were facing cameramen and talking rapidly into microphones detailing the scene before them, announcing the names of the famous stars as they arrived and describing the sumptuous gowns and jewellery.
Further up the steps Anna caught a glimpse of Bruno being approached by another reporter with a cameraman in tow. She’d forgotten Bruno was a big name down here and his thoughts on the festival would obviously be sought after by the media.
The gentle pressure of Leo’s hand in hers, brought her attention back to their own group and she smiled apologetically at Leo.
‘Sorry,’ she whispered. ‘That’s Bruno up there.’ Leo followed her gaze.
‘I wonder what he’s talking about to the TV reporter,’ Anna said. ‘Ah, here’s Rupert and Helen,’ she added, as a silver limousine drew up.
Watching the two young stars of Future Promises arrive on the red carpet, Anna felt a surge of affection for both of them. A couple of people in the crowd realising who they were, called out their names, ‘Rupert, Helen love, can we have your autographs?’
Smiling happily the two went over and graciously signed the offered magazines, books and cards.
Finally they all linked arms and began to make their way up the paparazzi lined flight of steps through a barrage of flash-light. As they drew level with Bruno on the last of the red carpeted stairs and went to enter the Palais itself, Anna couldn’t help overhearing the interviewer say.
‘Finally Bruno, can you give us any information about this latest development in the Philippe Cambone saga? I know you two were very close. Were you aware of this secret family he had in the States?’
Anna gasped involuntarily as she heard the question and would have fallen if Leo’s grip on her arm hadn’t tightened and saved her as she stumbled, trying unsuccessfully to hear Bruno’s reply. Leo looked at her concerned.
‘Anna, are you okay? They’re waiting to show us to our seats.’
‘I’m fine,’ Anna said, gripping Leo’s hand tightly. ‘Lead on.’