Page 63 of Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure
“How is your father? Are he and what’s-her-name married?”
“Oh yes. My new mummy is installed at the house.”
“And the baby? When is it due? Soon?”
He frowned. “I don’t know anything about a baby. She doesn’t seem to be pregnant.”
“Ah, so there never was a baby. Interesting.” She paused as Henri put a tray of coffee in front of them. Ellie poured equal parts coffee and milk into cups and handed one to Colin before she asked, “And your father? Is he blissfully happy?”
“I’m not sure,” he said. “You know how he hates change. She’s changed everything in the house. New furniture. New curtains. All very modern. He’s trying to be modern, too, but it’s not working too well.”
Ellie had to laugh. “Poor Lionel. He deserves everything he’s getting.” She slid a piece of apple tart on to a plate and handed it to Colin. “Henri’s a wonderful baker.”
“Oh, there you are, Mrs E.” Colonel Rutherford spotted Ellie and came striding up to them. “I’ve just had a grand walk over to the Calanques. Perfect day. I feel fit as a fiddle. You must come with me next time. Splendid view from the top.”
“Colonel, this is my son, Colin Endicott,” she said. “He’s just arrived from Hong Kong.”
“Far East, eh? Bad things going on over there. The Japs have their eyes on bigger prizes, you mark my words. You’re better safely out of it.”
When it became clear that he wasn’t invited to join them, he cleared his throat. “I better go and change for lunch, then. I’ll be seeing you, my dear. Don’t forget about the walk over to the Calanques. Splendid view. Absolutely splendid.”
“He’s one of the English contingent who come here every winter,” Ellie muttered as the colonel walked off, humming to himself. “They stay at the pension.”
“He seemed rather keen on you,” Colin said, staring after the retreating figure. “I saw his expression when he noticed you. Rather keen.”
“Yes. He is a little annoying,” Ellie replied. “Lost his wife a while ago and looking for a replacement. Don’t worry, I’m not interested. I better see if they have a room for you at the pension if you’re planning to stay the night. We don’t have a spare bedroom set up yet.”
“Uh, no. I think I’d better push on,” Colin said. “I’m actually on my way to see some friends in Nice, but I promised Dad I’d check on you.”
“At least you have to come and see the villa,” she said.
“You live in a villa? That sounds grand.”
“It is, quite,” she said. “It’s perfect for us, anyway. How did you get here?”
“I drove. I’ve acquired a nice little runabout. Twin carbs. Splendid acceleration.”
“You always were mad about cars,” she said. “Speaking of which, has your father bought a new Bentley?”
“Oh, the Bentley. You took it, didn’t you? He was absolutely livid, I gather. But he does have a new car. An Armstrong Siddeley, not quite as grand. He told me he’d had to cut back since he’s giving you such a generous allowance.”
“Generous, my foot!” she exclaimed. “If he’d had his way, I’d be living in one of the cottages in a row by the station. I fought hard and demanded my fair share. He was taken aback, shall we say.” And she laughed.
“Good for you. It’s about time you didn’t let him walk all over you,” Colin said. “I must say you’re looking well. Healthy. Happy. I’m glad.”
“So give me a few minutes to pop that pie I’m making in the oven, then I’ll take you up to the villa,” she said.
As she stood up, Nico was coming up from the port, carrying a basket of fish.
“Take a look at these,” he called out to Ellie. “Not a bad day’s haul, eh? You can take one, if you like. As long as you know how to cook it properly this time.”
“How do you know I didn’t cook it properly last time?” she asked, laughing.
“I have my spies.”
“Well, I’ve improved,” she said. “Henri has been instructing me. But I can’t very well carry a big fish up the hill. I have no shopping bag.”
“Henri!” Nico bellowed. The older man came running out.
