Hotel Belvedere by Barbara Kastelin

Author:Barbara Kastelin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd
Published: 2020-07-22T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

‘Mother, DeBraye is my best friend. He has been since he came here from Rome to be with you. You are meeting him behind my back, discussing me and pushing yourself between us.’

‘Darling Candice, Robert did not leave Rome just because I was no longer there.’

‘You pick up the one thing which vaguely concerns you in what I just said.’

‘Are you taking the new pills he has prescribed?’

‘Yes, but they’re not making any difference. He says he’s running out of options. I know that means a psychiatrist, and with your help probably a loony bin.’

‘What, with my help?’

‘I know you two. Do we actually pay him for his services?’

‘What sort of a question is that?’ Vanessa asked.

‘I can’t be expected to ask a clever question?’

‘No, no. It is a good question – to which I don’t know the answer. I think he does it as a friend. The thought of paying Robert is absurd. He’s rich. How else could he afford to live in the Excelsior? He must have lots of lady patients who pay for his services.’

‘Ladies paying for his services? Are you trying to poison my admiration for him and make me jealous?’ Candice asked.

‘You are the one who made me ask myself whether we abused his generosity.’

‘I want to believe that he helps me because he cares and not that he gives me useless, ineffective medication hoping I never get better so he can play theatrical roles with you.’

‘Don’t be paranoid, darling. It must be a difficult time for you. If Pierre and Elisabeth get closer, it will mean more contact with Karl, and more pressure over the leisure centre.’

‘Exactly. Karl will pop up here and make me feel small. A situation I couldn’t bear. Thierry wouldn’t like it either.’

‘The husband you chose is an accomplished man in many ways and kind. And yet so naïve. I would not trust Thierry’s opinion of someone like Robert or Karl. They are daring, with panache – sexy too.’

‘What, Mother? Is it my sex life you’re getting at now? Do you discuss that with your Robert? For if you do it is a short conversation. Ever since giving birth to Pierre…’

‘Candice! Our conversation at cross-purposes has lasted long enough. Here.’ Vanessa loaded Pompom into her daughter’s arms. ‘The sun is shining, and the hotel still has a garden.’

After Candice had gone, Vanessa went out on to the corner balcony. The weather was indeed glorious, a uniform dark-blue sky. From up there, she watched Candice slowly walk down the steps next to the terrace. Her daughter and the small black poodle crossed the lawn, the dog stopping and sniffing border plants, Candice’s shoulders rounded, head down. They moved out of sight.

*

After hours in the narrow bed with Lottie, Odile’s left shoulder burned. She thought she had not been able to sleep, but she must have, because there had been dreams – or, rather, fuzzy images. They were connected to motherless Noel and searching for a clinic.

She rolled gently out, letting Lottie spread out in the bed and sleep on.

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