The Chateau. Karen Aldous
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to make a play for my wife.’ Thomas shook his head like a disgusted father. ‘I think you’re heading for trouble, to be honest.’
Ollie stared open mouthed at his foreman and friend. ‘Well, that’s honest. Maybe, you’re right but I still think she could be good for business.’
Thomas was right to some extent, Ollie figured. Gina was in a solid relationship. He needed to pale his enthusiasm. He’d been tempted to tell her exactly how he felt but he couldn’t risk scaring her off. He was just getting to know her and she him. Surely if he could prove that he wasn’t really the loudmouth she’d thought, she might fall deeply in love with him. Ha, fat chance! Stop kidding yourself. She was definitely a beauty and she’d be typical of the type to reject him. He would rather they be friends and business associates than risk getting hurt and humiliated.
It was so frustrating. After all, he had a lot to offer a woman particularly now he was growing his business independently of his father’s. He’d grown up and felt the time was right. He didn’t just want any woman however. Those that came easy weren’t worth it. He wanted Gina. Yes, their chemistry was explosive and she was stunning but she was everything else he admired too: bags of confidence and personality, a big heart and successfully independent.
If he could prove himself first, stick his neck out and show her how good he was at his business, help her with her mother, perhaps he could hope. Hope that she would find him irresistible.
He unzipped his rucksack and pulled out his SLR camera.
‘I can’t wait to get some internal shots for the brochures. I’ll need to wait a few days for that though. I thought I would get a few of the site in progress. This being my first project. And, once that sun breaks through, I’ll get some of the lake too. That’s what they’re all about, eh?’
‘I’d like to think it’s the quality of build and specification, myself.’ Thomas folded his arms and widened his stance.
‘I have upset you this morning, haven’t I, Thomas?’
Thomas, let his arms go limp. ‘No,’ he chuckled scratching his neck. ‘No, I don’t think it’s you. I’m just a bear with a sore head this morning. The kids were up in the night. Well, one of them was sick and woke the other one and then we were all up.’
‘Look mate, if you want to go and get your head down, I’ll keep an eye on things here.’
‘Thanks but I’ll be OK. It’s not the first time and I’m sure it won’t be the last.’
‘The joys of parenthood, eh! Can’t wait.’ Ollie patted his friend’s arm and imagined himself plodding along the lakeside with a toddler. Perhaps Gina’s child.
‘They certainly have their rewards,’ Thomas admitted.
‘I’m sure. Well, one day. Anyway, do you need me for anything? I want to get these photos and get on with getting everything together for the brochure.’
‘No. All is well at mission control.’
Ollie clambered back down to the lake and photographed scenes of the lake and items he thought would make interesting images: the pieces of art along the waterside that fascinated him, an array of the numerous flower beds nestled beside the lake made excellent foreground colour to the water and mountains beyond, and the famous Freddie Mercury statue, the icon of Montreux. It then occurred to him to take some of the Château de Chillon but he preferred to have some images from different angles to add variation. As an idea came to mind, he took out his phone he texted Gina.
***
‘I think that was your phone bleeping,’ said Adrienne as Gina entered the living room freshly showered and dressed but yawning.
Gina half-smiled, trying to muster up her energy. It was difficult without much sleep. Vivid images had returned disturbing her night again and playing havoc with her mind, not to mention her nerves. Her mouth dried at the thought of them. They repeatedly played in her head. It was the imprisoned woman crouched, grinding back and forth on her iron handcuff with a sharp rock or some similar object. The stone rhythmically filing into thick iron barely scratched the surface yet the screeching sound and movement was relentless. And, if that wasn’t enough, a foul odour wafted under her nose. Gina couldn’t help but feel something very eerie or sinister was going on and she was becoming seriously concerned.
‘I’ll check. I also need to get a flight booked for the morning. Why don’t you come back with me?’
‘I told you, I want to stay here.’
‘But, Mum, I really don’t want to leave you here alone. And, I might be able to arrange to see Daisy and Gracie, they will cheer you up, for sure.’
Reading the messages on her phone, Gina pursed her lips and widened her heavy eyes.
‘You look tired, Gina? Are you not sleeping very well?’
‘Mmm,’ she muttered distractedly. Then focusing her eyes on her mother she admitted, ‘Just having some weird dreams again. I’m sure it’s this altitude.’
Adrienne tightened her dressing gown and tilted her head.
‘It could be, but, it’s not like we’re right up in the mountains here. Maybe it’s all the stress.’
‘Mmm. Maybe. It’ll pass. Anyway,’ she said quickly changing the subject, ‘do you fancy a little boat trip, in, wow, about an hour and a half?’ Gina checked the time again on her phone, producing an enquiring face. ‘Ollie’s taking his mother. Thought we might like to join them.’
‘I don’t think so. I don’t feel like socialising again and, well, I don’t want to impose.’
‘That’s fine, Mum. I thought you did extremely well yesterday actually. He’s invited us, so that’s not imposing,’ Gina said, pulling a coffee cup from the cupboard.
‘No, but we only saw them yesterday.’
‘Well, yes. Do you want to do something else? Walk, shop or watch a film? Or we can just sit quietly?
Gina poured coffee and leaned against the kitchen cabinet quietly observing her mother. Although she had more colour and life in her cheeks, her eyes were telling a different story. They had lost their sparkle and it was breaking her heart. How could she leave her like this?
‘I think you quite like Ollie,’ said her mother flatly.
Caught by surprise, Gina blew out a laugh. ‘He’s OK. Better now than when we first met him. I’m sure he’s a bit of a player. He can be rather obnoxious at times. Anyway, they’re quite good company. Maybe you should ring Aunt Bernie or let me. She would want to help you, I know she would.’
‘I know. I must ring her. They usually come, oh God, today. I’ll ring her now.’
‘OK. I wonder if Dad’s been in touch with her.’
‘I don’t think so. She’d have been here like a shot. That’s why I didn’t want to tell her yet.’
‘Well, keep it short. Tell her you’re going out in ten minutes otherwise you will be on the phone all day.’
As she watched her mother swap chairs to use the phone, Gina knew Aunt Bernie would make a drama out of it, but it was no use putting it off. Although she was her father’s sister, she was more like a sister to Adrienne. She was always around, almost like a second mother to her and James as she never had any children of her own. She would certainly sympathise with her mother as much as she doted on George. Gina knew, however, her mother would need to prepare herself for drama as soon as Aunt Bernie was aware of what was going on.
Adrienne paused before she dialled the number and lifted her head with an audacious smile. ‘Gina, ring Ollie and tell him we’ll go.’
‘Oh. Are you sure, Mum?’ Gina stared in surprise.
‘Yes. I don’t want to sit and mope. I enjoyed Celine’s