Page 65 of Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure
“Your French is bloody good, mum. And you don’t seem to be lacking in male company,” he said. “From colonels to fishermen. I’m impressed.”
“Don’t be silly,” she said. “Although there’s even a viscount, for your information. But Nico isn’t exactly your average fisherman. He seemsquite educated and he lives rather well. I think he might be an expert smuggler.”
“And yet you’re inviting him to dinner?”
“Even smugglers have to eat,” she said.
They finished their coffee. Ellie went into the bar to let Henri know she was going, then she followed Colin to an MG roadster, bright red. “Do we walk to your villa?” he asked. “Should I leave the car here, or should we drive?”
“We’d better drive if you’re heading out afterward, if you don’t mind transporting a large fish.”
“At least it’s wrapped up and no longer flapping.” Colin grinned as he opened the door for her and she sat. He jumped into the driver’s seat, gunned the engine and they drove off. Several people waved as they passed. Mr Tommy was coming out of the bakery and stared in surprise, then gave her a thumbs up sign. Alphonse lifted a hand in salute from the police station.
“Do you know everyone here?” Colin shouted over the noise of the engine.
“Pretty much,” she said. “It’s a small place.” She instructed him to take the driveway up the hill, then she got out to open the gate for them. They drove in.
“My word,” he said, as they inched through the tall gates. “It really is a villa. How did you come by this?”
“It’s a long story,” she said. “It was a ruin. Nobody had lived in it for donkey’s years. We restored it, or rather are still restoring it. There’s still a lot to be done, but it’s coming along. The previous owner was a famous opera singer, and she left all her belongings behind.”
“Gracious. Why did she do that?”
“We’ve no idea. There is an absentee owner who apparently has no interest in the place. We’re now paying him rent via the local notaire. Stop here.” They got out and walked up the avenue of palm trees.
“But this garden is glorious,” Colin said.
“It will be when we’ve got it all restored again,” she replied. “We’re working on it. I’ve had our helper Bruno dig out all the weeds and the things that have run riot, and we’ve ordered new plants from a nursery in Marseille. But wait until you see the view at the other side. It still takes my breath away every single time.”
She led him around the house to the terrace, where Dora was sitting. She had been reading but had fallen asleep. Ellie woke her gently. “We’ve got company,” she said. “This is my son Colin. Perhaps you remember him.”
Dora squinted in the bright sunlight. “Of course I remember him. Used to be a choirboy, though rather a naughty one.”
“How do you do, Miss Smith-Humphries?” He held out his hand to shake hers. “I’m afraid my voice is no longer soprano.”
“So you’ve come to visit your mama at last,” Dora said. “Or have you been sent by your father to check on her?” She squinted as she eyed him.
Colin grinned. “The latter, actually. Dad’s instructions were to tell you you’d better return to England sooner rather than later. He’s convinced there’s going to be a war. He doesn’t think Hitler is going to stop, and we can’t just let him walk into one country after another.”
“If there is a war, I rather feel I’d be safer here,” Ellie said. “Nobody will want to invade Saint-Benet.”
“Mum, it’s no joke,” Colin said. “Maybe Mr Chamberlain can smooth things over again, but if not ...” He took a deep breath. “If not, you wouldn’t be able to return home if you wanted to.”
“I’m touched that your father is concerned for my welfare,” Ellie said. “But do tell him that I’m running my own life now and actually enjoying myself for the first time in years. Now let me give you a tour of the villa.”
She led him inside and found Mavis in the kitchen.
“I’m just making Dora a cup of tea,” she said. “Do you want one?” Then her eyes grew wide. “It’s Master Colin,” she said. “Well, I never. What a surprise.”
“Just come to check on me on his way through to Nice,” Ellie said. “And we’ve had coffee, so we don’t want tea.”
“Right you are, then,” Mavis said. “It’s good to see you again, Mr Colin. Are you back in England now?”
“For a while, yes,” he said. “And you’re looking well, Mavis.”
“Ah well, yes,” she said. “I’m enjoying myself. We all are.”
Colin glanced at his mother, went to say something, but she shook her head. “Not now,” she mouthed. She knew Mavis would hate to show any emotion in front of a stranger. Better to wait until they were alone.
