Page 19 of Meet Me at Sunset

‘I don’t want the bits of you that Andre left behind, the husk of your marriage to him.

I want the whole of you, in every way, the good and the bad.

I want us to have a future and not just be trapped by our past.’ There were tears in his own eyes now, but he ploughed on.

‘If you can’t love me fully, as my wife and as my life partner, then this way is best.’

He took his champagne glass and touched hers with it. ‘Here’s to Camille Andre, long may it reign.’ He kept his voice steady. ‘Today is about that; let’s just focus on it and get through the day, OK?’

Camille nodded, took a deep breath and nodded, ‘You’re right, we have achieved so much together – no one can ever take that away … but please, there is something I need to talk to you about, something important. Please come to see me later?’

She met his gaze now, and he nodded. In her eyes Nicolas could see unhappiness, but there was something else in her expression too; something he had never seen in her before.

Fear.

Later, they stopped at a beautiful, deserted island called Isla Blanca.

The guests disembarked from the yacht onto a wide crescent of beach fringed by palm trees, the crystal-clear water lapping at the shore, as shoals of fish darted in the shallows.

It was as though they’d been marooned in the most picture-perfect location, and by early evening the party was in full swing.

Guests were frolicking in the water, and dancing on the soft white sand, as Lucas cooked a giant seafood paella over a roaring bonfire made from driftwood.

Stephanie had tried to put the uncomfortable scene with Paulo out of her mind, which had been made easier by the fact that he’d avoided her since their conversation.

She’d spent time with Catherine and Michael, being introduced to their A-list Hollywood friends as an exciting new talent, and now she was reunited with Isobel, the two of them feeling a little tipsy from the delicious cocktails.

Isobel was explaining about the argument she’d overheard between Lucas and Elle.

‘She was very jealous of you,’ Isobel confided, arching a knowing eyebrow. ‘They were arguing in French, but I spent a few months living in Paris so I understood every word. I don’t think they realized.’

‘You’re a dark horse,’ Stephanie marvelled. ‘Why were you in Paris?’

‘In a past life, when I was pursuing a career in fashion – before I ran my own business – I interned for a few big names across Europe. One was in Paris.’

‘Oh, which company?’ Stephanie asked.

Isobel hesitated, a closed look crossing her face. ‘It doesn’t matter. Honestly, you should have heard the way Elle spoke to Lucas, it was awful. I don’t know how he puts up with—’

Isobel broke off as she heard Camille calling for silence, tapping her champagne glass. The music was turned down to a low background hum, and a hush rippled across the beach as everyone turned to look at Camille, who looked radiant in the white sundress from her latest collection.

‘I won’t keep you too long – everyone looks to be having so much fun that I hate to disturb you all,’ she smiled, as the crowd laughed.

‘But I do have two pieces of business that I need to attend to – I promise they’re not dull,’ she added, as everyone groaned good-naturedly.

‘Firstly, I want to thank you all so much for coming here to celebrate with us – a world first for Camille Andre, as it’s our debut collaboration with another powerhouse label.

I’m thrilled to be working with American Athletics, and I’d like to introduce you all to Nicolas Martin, who’s here to represent the brand,’ she added, nodding at a man standing nearby.

‘He’s been a great friend to me over the years, and I’m overjoyed that we’re finally bringing our two great companies together.

‘Secondly,’ she continued, following applause and a smattering of cheers.

‘I am beyond excited to announce that we have a new ambassador for Camille Andre. She’s going to be the new face of our campaign, and I couldn’t think of anyone better.

You all know her, of course, but I’m delighted to introduce you to … Catherine Zeta-Jones!’

The crowd went wild, applauding and whooping, as Catherine stepped up to stand beside Camille, and Michael watched her proudly. ‘Thank you all so much,’ she began. ‘I’m so honoured to have been invited to be an ambassador for a brand I truly love …’

As Catherine began to speak, Stephanie’s attention was taken by Paulo.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed him slip away from the crowd, hugging the edge of the beach along the tree line where the shadows had lengthened as the sun began to set.

Glancing around, she noticed a small speedboat approaching the island; it was some distance away, and everyone else had their backs to it.

Pushing her sunglasses on top of her head so she could see more clearly, Stephanie squinted and watched as Paulo waded out into the shallows to greet the sole occupant of the boat.

Paulo spoke briefly to him, pulling a bag from his shorts and handing it over.

It looked as though the man gave him something in return, which Paulo pocketed, before the speedboat pulled away, skimming across the water which had turned golden in the setting sun.

Then Paulo strode back towards the crowd and Stephanie quickly turned away, joining in with the applause as Catherine finished speaking and Camille took over once again.

‘Now please enjoy the wonderful feast my son has prepared. And if you enjoy it, visit his restaurant, Il Paradiso,’ she couldn’t resist adding, as the buoyant crowd laughed and cheered.

‘Well, I didn’t see that coming,’ Isobel commented.

‘Catherine kept it a secret from me too,’ Stephanie laughed. ‘But isn’t it wonderful? She’s the perfect fit for Camille Andre – they’re both so chic and glamorous.’

‘Yes, aren’t they just.’

Stephanie detected something tight in Isobel’s tone, but didn’t push it any further.

‘Let’s go and get some of Lucas’s paella,’ Isobel suggested changing the subject. ‘It smells incredible.’

Stephanie hesitated. After what Isobel had just told her about Elle being jealous, she thought it would be best to steer clear.

But then she noticed that whilst Lucas was handing out delicious-looking bowls of rice, Elle appeared to be making a beeline for Camille, a furious look on her face as she stalked across the sand.

Stephanie nudged Isobel, nodding in Elle’s direction. ‘She doesn’t look too happy,’ she murmured.

‘When does she?’ Isobel replied with a giggle. The two women watched curiously as Elle stalked over to Camille, who was standing with Catherine and Michael as a gaggle of guests offered their congratulations.

Elle rudely pushed through the middle of them, marching straight up to Camille. ‘I can’t believe you did that to me,’ Elle raged. She was speaking in French, and Isobel hastily translated for Stephanie.

Camille looked utterly shocked at Elle’s interruption. She blinked twice, as though trying to work out what was happening. ‘Did what? I don’t understand.’

‘You knew how much I wanted to be the face of Camille Andre,’ Elle began, her eyes blazing, her words slurred.

Stephanie wondered how much she’d had to drink.

‘And then you go and humiliate me like this by giving it to someone else behind my back. She’s not even French!

’ Elle finished, sounding outraged, looking at Catherine as though she were something she’d found on the bottom of her shoe.

Camille’s lips tightened into a thin line, her eyes narrowing. Stephanie glanced over at Lucas, but he was too busy dishing up the paella and hadn’t noticed what was happening.

‘I’m so sorry,’ Camille apologized to Catherine and Michael.

‘Do excuse me for one moment. I have something I need to deal with.’ Camille was clearly livid.

Elle had evidently had too much to drink, her voice loud, her actions sloppy.

She was a mess, and people were turning to look, a scandalized whisper rippling through the crowd.

Camille went to put a hand on Elle’s arm, to lead her away, and Elle reacted as though she’d been burned. ‘Don’t touch me,’ she hissed. ‘Get your hands off me.’

‘Come with me,’ Camille said firmly, a dangerous edge to her voice. ‘And don’t you dare make a scene.’

Stephanie glanced over and saw that Nicolas had stepped into Camille’s place, laughing and chatting with Catherine and Michael, smoothing things over with the other guests.

Meanwhile Lucas’s girlfriend was staring at Camille defiantly, arms crossed, her eyebrows raised in a challenge.

When they were a suitable distance from the others, but still within Stephanie’s earshot, Camille began to speak, this time in English.

It seemed she finally had the opportunity to tell Elle exactly what she thought of her, and she didn’t hold back.

Stephanie wondered if Camille was speaking in English to deliberately chastise Elle in public view; a window into that famous steel she was known for?

‘How dare you speak to me and my guests like that! Thinking you could be the face of Camille Andre. Are you deluded? You’re only at this party because you’re dating my son – certainly not on your own merits.

Of course I wouldn’t let you represent my business.

Camille Andre is synonymous with style and elegance, and Catherine Zeta-Jones is a world-famous, supremely talented, international star.

You …’ Camille looked her up and down disparagingly. ‘… are not.’

‘Take a day off from being a bitch, Camille,’ Elle drawled, rolling her eyes. ‘It’s getting boring.’

By now, everyone had become aware of the scene taking place further down the beach, and there was seemingly nothing Nicolas could do to stop them watching.

Stephanie saw Lucas look up too, an expression of horror crossing his face as he instantly forgot about the food and ran across the sand. ‘What’s going on?’

‘Lucas, get your girlfriend out of here,’ Camille spat. ‘She’s making a show of herself. This is disgraceful, I should never have invited her in the first place.’

‘Elle, come on. Let’s go,’ Lucas began, reaching for her hand.

‘Oh, here we go again. Doing whatever Mummy says. Why don’t you care about me ? Why do you always take her side?’

‘Elle, stop behaving like this, it’s—’

‘I don’t care,’ Elle interrupted, with a yell. Her eyes were wild, and she looked half-crazed. ‘That’s it, Lucas. I’m done. We’re through.’ Elle turned her head in Paulo’s direction, commanding, ‘Paulo!’

Stephanie couldn’t take her eyes off the unfolding drama. It was impossible not to stare – all the other guests were doing the same.

‘Yeah?’

‘I want to leave. Take me home. Now.’

‘Sure. I’ll call a boat to come and pick us up,’ he said easily, following Elle as she stormed off across the island.

Lucas watched angrily as they left. Paulo threw a glance over his shoulder at his friend. ‘Someone’s got to look after her,’ he said coolly.

Lucas went to follow the two of them, but then stopped. He was barely a metre away from Stephanie, and as he looked up and saw her, his face softened. He threw his hands in the air, and shook his head in disbelief, before an undeniable look of attraction flashed in his eyes.

Stephanie held his gaze, her heart racing, the champagne cocktails making her brave. ‘Looks like you might be free for that cooking lesson now,’ she commented, a slow smile spreading across her face.