Page 94 of Judging Duke

“She was more than that,” he said one morning over breakfast. “I can’t explain what it was about her. She was life itself, sometimes. A breath of fresh air whenever I saw her. No matter how bad I was feeling about my day, I always knew my appointment with her would be easy and relaxed. Never any tension. I don’t know how Cyril will manage. She was his world.”

I’d never imagined feeling that way about anyone, and I wasn’t saying that’s what I felt for Duke, but he’d quickly become a presence in my life I was reluctant to do without.

We arrived in France on Monday evening and drove to the hotel to spend the night.

As per Barbara’s request, we turned up to the funeral wearing our most colourful clothes. Everyone else had heeded her wishes too, not a black outfit in sight. There must have been a hundred people there.

The funeral itself was lovely, a selection of Barbara’s favourite songs was played, and when it was done, we made ourway back to the villa to be greeted by brightly coloured flags and lively music. Barbara would have loved it.

Drink flowed freely, our friendly Asian bartender handing out elaborate-looking cocktails. I spotted Troy and Finn and a few others I recognised from the film set a few weeks earlier.

“Ladies and gentlemen.” Cyril stood on the terrace, looking frailer than he’d been last time. “No tears today. Barbara would have hated it. Help yourselves to food and drink. Let’s celebrate my Babs’ life. To Barbara.”

We all raised our glasses. “To Barbara.”

“Well, he wasn’t joking when he said it’d be a party,” I said, looking around.

Music spilled from speakers hidden in the foliage, and laughter rang out.

It was the best funeral I’d ever been to.

“So, you guys are together now then.” Troy and Finn stood next to us as people danced the afternoon away.

“We are,” we said in unison.

“See, I told you,” Troy said to his husband. “I bet him a hundred euros you’d be together. He said no.”

“I’m sorry you lost your bet, Finn, but why would you have said that? We hardly spent any time together that you saw.” I frowned, unsure what they’d seen.

“Oh, sweetheart. Anyone could see what was happening between you. I think you were the only ones that didn’t.” Troy laughed, Finn joining in. “You make a lovely couple, though. Perhaps we could do a movie together? I’ll get our agent to call you.”

Duke looked over at me, waiting for me to say something. He knew what my answer would be.

“I’m done with the business, but thanks for the offer.”

I steered Duke away, not wishing to stay in their company a minute longer. They were saccharin sweet and possibly two-faced.

As night fell, the music slowed and mourners broke away into smaller groups, talking quietly. It was our cue to go.

We found Cyril with his family. He looked exhausted but stood when he saw us approach.

“Duke, Simon. Barbara would have loved that you came today. I’m so grateful you made the journey. Are you going home tomorrow?”

“I have work, unfortunately, and Simon has a gallery opening he needs to prepare for. We’ll send you an invitation. Maybe you could come?”

“It would be my pleasure. Just a pity…” He dabbed at his eyes, no doubt thinking about Barbara and how much she would have loved to come.

I touched his arm. “You take care, and we’ll see you soon.”

He hugged us both, and we said our goodbyes.

“Thank goodness that’s over,” Duke said as we got in the car. “I hate funerals. I don’t care how cheerful they are.”

“They’re never pleasant, although that was one of the better ones I’ve been to. Fancy a nightcap when we get to the hotel?”

“I just want to sleep. We have an early flight tomorrow. Do you mind?”

“Of course not. I’m tired too, and we’ve a lot to do when we get home. If we’re to open the gallery in a few weeks, I’m going to need your help.”

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