Gemini Rain (32 page)

‘But I thought she and David were divorced, don’t separated couples usually hate each other after such a bitter end to their marriage,’
Debbie
asked.

Lauren explained that David didn’t hate Francoise and visa versa, their relationship was quite amicable sometimes she added. But he gets overly attached to people, ‘and they did share ten years together, good and bad times.’ There was silence for a few minutes so quickly changing the subject and the mood
she dished out the presents Lauren
brought with her.

David phoned that evening and Lauren spoke in short sentences as
Debbie
was in the room with her. ‘Yes everything was great… the flight was lovely no interruptions… I’m safe and sound in
Debbie
’s home.’

Then it was her turn to ask how he was, ‘how are Pierre and Chantal taking the news?’

David sounded strong but wishing she was with him, he was starting to struggle as their conversation grew longer.  Lauren reminded him it was better if he arrived with Claude rather than his new girlfriend, ‘the children are confused enough.’  Lauren tried to hold back her tears and
Debbie
handed her a tissue as she left the room to give Lauren some privacy. 

‘David you’ve got to be strong for the children if not for yourself,’ she stressed to him.

‘I know,
honestly
this is the first time I’ve broken down. It’s just hearing your voice, knowing you’re safe. Wishing everything was so different. Wishing I was with you now. A
hh, I don’t know…’ he sighed, ‘why can’t life run
that little bit smoother
for us!’

Lauren’s doubts grew and her self-confidence took a nosedive. Was she a jinx? She felt a lump in her throat but resolved to sound strong for him, ‘David listen to me,’ she said it with force but hoped he wouldn’t take her up wrong, ‘I’ve said this to you before, stop depending on others. Stop torturing yourself ‘cause if you don’t you’ll end being hurt time and time again. Show your children how you can be there for them they need you now more than ever.
Think of them for now definitely not us, we’ve got the rest of our lives to get things right. You’ve got to m
ake them feel they can turn to you, make them feel safe.’  David was silent so she continued, ‘I know what
Emma
and Keith went through and
they
still do
sometimes
. You’re putting yourself through that lost feeling now and you’re a grown man with years of experience behind you, imagine what two little children are feeling. Please be there for them.’

She stopped, there was silence down the line, she could hear him breathing then he said, ‘Thanks, I needed that.’

Lauren knew he was smiling, relief swept through her as he replied, ‘I know
you’re right I think I just need
ed to hear you say it. We thrive on each other.’

Softly she murmured
in agreement as David asked her if she was now alone could she explain more about the events of the day, ‘I have this feeling there’s more to what you’ve told me.’

Lauren recounted her day and the meeting with Marc and how thankful she was that Jacques’s warning didn’t become a reality, ‘I can imagine my friendly detective inspector’s face when he discovers I’m not on the flight from Marseille,’ Lauren giggled. David laughed his spirits now lifting. They chatted for a while, he told her the funeral arrangements and how the family took the news.

‘Joel doesn’t want Veronique to travel so far up north to Francoise’s hometown, she took it badly she and Francoise were close,’ he paused, ‘they’re conc
erned it’s so soon since the birth
. Maman and Papa are okay,’ pausing again, ‘they’re strong. They’ll be there and of course Claude and Helene.’

Lauren was content knowing who would be there for him and the children. They finished their conversation, each reassuring the other of the love they felt.

When Lauren hung up she sat there alone for a while then she joined
Debbie
, Pat and the children in the kitchen,
Debbie
held out a cup of tea, ‘Okay?’ she asked.

Lauren gratefully accepted it, ‘Okay, thanks for everything,’ knowing it was as awkward for them as it was for her.

The week dragged in for Lauren, she kept her appointment with her Doctor and she kept her calm as he
lectured her for nearly 15
minutes on her smoking, but he conceded that her blood pressure was keeping under control, ‘France must be doing you go
od,’ he remarked. Lauren just demurely
smiled. The appointment with her solicitor, the industrious Mr. Anderson, Esq., took longer than expected because she wanted a change made to her Will
and the probate on Peter’s Will was now
finally
settled
.

In Paris she asked David if he would take care of
Emma
and Keith should anything happen to her, he replied she was being silly but agreed immediately. She told him that if he changed his mind or didn’t feel he could offer them a proper home,
Debbie
and Pat were second on the list and he should hand over all authority to them, they were the executors.

Then there was her Living Will, if the worse did happen she didn’t want to exist or depend on a machine for what was left of her life, David couldn’t believe what she was saying but she continued. ‘I want the machines switched off, without delay. The children are not going to remember me like that.’

David was stunned and after much debate reluctantly agreed.

Mr. Anderso
n checked everything thoroughly being
qualified in Irish, English and French law and was now studying Italian law as a hobby. Everything was checked and double-checked; ensuring no mistakes were made and that both laws in Ireland and France were covered. Finally Mr. Anderson raised the subject of the file, ‘do you want me to keep it,’ he enquired, ‘and are you ever going to tell me what it contains?’

Lauren hesitated then did what came natural to her; she followed her gut instinct, ‘No to both questions,’ she said, ‘I’m taking it with me back to France.’

Dublin was as vivacious as ever. Lauren took advantage of
Debbie
’s constant nagging to get out and meet old friends, ‘Make a few calls, remind yourself of the fantastic night life Dublin has to offer.’

So she did and fell in
Debbie
and Pat’s doorway three times that week. Fortunately the weather was good so she was able to take all the children on two seaside trips, as she and
Debbie
lay on the beautiful beach in
Portmarnock
, she watched the children play and reminisced about her own childhood. Daddy always ensured they got a few trips to the seaside during
their summer holidays
-
he
r
mother always stayed
working
at the office. 

Fri
day arrived and there were more tears at the airport when it came time to leave, as the plane lifted from the ground Lauren realised Paul didn’t phone her like he said he would. In a way she felt relieved,
‘
maybe that’s the last I’ll hear from him, for a while at least.
’

She regretted not visiting her father, but Marc had warned her against visiting the office or her parent’s house, both places were being watched, ‘and I can’t hide everything,’ he informed her.  At least the children got to see him the previous week; she was happy to settle with that. But Dublin was now behind her and she couldn’t wait to arrive in Marseille to David, to Gabrielle and her family… to home.

Chapter 32

David studied the contents of the large envelope just delivered by courier. It was from the film studio in America, at last the final contract arrived but once he read it he decided to telephone his solicitor in Paris. Jacques wasn’t there so David stressed his request to the secretary, ‘can you get him to phone me back as soon as possible, it’s important.’ Rereading the contract he was concerned over one section; the studio’s insurers would not take responsibility for the safety of the crew and cast in the event of kidnap and death through terrorism. What the hell was their problem? He couldn’t understand it.  Knowing that two or three actors had already withdrawn from the project, he wondered should he do the same.

Jacques called back an hour later and David explained his worry.

‘Can you
email or
fax up a copy to me, I didn’t receive anything,’ Jacques was annoyed the contract was sent straight to
David and with it being so close to the film’s commencement date
.

Surprised his solicitor didn’t get one David agreed straight away, ‘Lauren’s
office contains a scanner
I’ll
get the spare keys and email
it within the next half-hour.
’

The conversation ended with Jacques assuring David that the problem would be sorted, ‘either with his own insurers or the studios’. He was certain the insurance company was being overly cautious because of Colombia’s rickety past, nothing to do with the country’s existing status. But David’s doubts wouldn’t dissipate with his friend’s assurances.

Jacques telephoned David early the next day, ‘David it’s bad news. Nobody will insure you for the trip or rather they will, but the price is unrealistic.’

David sighed, he was thinking about withdrawing because of his children now living with him but the decision was fifty-fifty, ‘and if I pull out what will be the studio’s line of action?’

Jacques was as honest as ever, ‘I think you know what their reaction will be, it’s so close to the starting date
and you’re the big name representing Europe with the others having already pulled out
.
With you receiving the contacts now
I’m unsure of what you can do, have you made a decision or do you want to think about it?’

David knew Jacques wouldn’t directly advise him, it was an opening to all sorts of implications for solicitors to be that honest. It’s was in their nature to hint their opinion but let the client make the final decision. David could read his friend so well and understood, ‘I don’t know yet, I want to discuss it with someone I’ll get back to you tomorrow.’ He hung up,
‘
I’ll ask Lauren after al
l she’s been there twice, and she should
know the
current
situation
in Columbia
.
’

Chapter 33

It was close to 11pm as Lauren struggled with her suitcases, carrying a now sleeping Keith.
Emma
slowly trailed behind her, both children exhausted with the excitement and activities of the last four weeks it was now taking its toll on them. Lauren regretted refusing David’s offer to collect her from the airport, ‘It’ll be too late David and what if the flight’s delayed, you could be sitting there for hours, thanks but no thanks. I’ll easily get a taxi.’ She felt refreshed and confident when she said it to him but now with her strength dwindling, she called herself stupid and stubborn. As she walked through the arrival’s gate, there were very few people around, sighing she continued to struggle with the luggage trolley and Keith, checking
Emma
was still standing at least.
Emma
’s eyes lit up and she screamed, ‘David!’ getting a sudden surge of energy she ran to him. Lauren just stood there, relief swept through her. David lifted
Emma
up in his arms as she smacked a big sloppy kiss on his cheek.

‘Can I help you Madame?’ he smiled as he kissed Lauren.

Lauren hugged him tightly, ‘Thanks,’ she replied softly.

‘I know, you’re too independent for your own good and I’m your knight in shining armour,’ he announced to the people looking in his direction.

As he drove home, he u
pdated Lauren with the few days
and informed her that he was now sleeping three to a bed, ‘Oh they go to their own beds but as soon as I retire to my own they sneak in.’ Pierre was strong but too quiet, David was concerned for him and Chantal would forget sometimes and ask where was Maman. He went silent staring at the road ahead; Lauren put her hand on his arm fully comprehending every emotion he was feeling,

‘How are you going to manage when you leave for Colombia?’ she asked.

David sighed and said hesitantly, ‘I don’t want to go. Maman said she can manage, I’m not concerned about that and I could hire a nanny to help out. But the dates hav
e been set for three weeks
it’s too soon to leave Pierre and Chantal alone.’

‘But they won’t be alone, you know that.’

David frow
ned then Lauren added softly, ‘t
hey’re used to you leaving for work and they know you’ll return. It’s really you who doesn’t want to leave them. You’re torn between them and your work.’

Quickly David glanced to see if
Emma
and Keith were still asleep then pulled the car over to the side of the road. Turning to Lauren he was still frowning, he looked at her she was beautiful to him, not what he usually fell for, no, definitely not the actress type. But there was something special about her, something special between them, he couldn’t pinpoint it and hoped he never would. He knew she was waiting for him to say something so he beamed a smile to her, ‘How come you know me?’ leaning over to steal a kiss not giving her a chance to answer.