This chapter is dedicated to show what Gustave was up to while Erik and Christine were on the train. All I can say is that no good will come from Gustave and Meg's association.
Mr. Walker followed the girls and Gustave from a distance, and his presence bothered Meg.
"Why is he following us?" Meg whispered to Nancy.
"Mr. Y wanted him to keep an eye on Gustave. Now stop, we don't want to worry the kid." Nancy whispered back. She then turned back around to look at Mr. Walker again and blushed. "He is cute, no?"
"Who?"
"Mr. Walker."
"Oh." Meg huffed. "Not my type. I'm staying away from men for a while."
"Ms. Giry, did you say you knew my Mother?" Gustave looked up at her, as they walked.
"I was her best friend years ago in Paris. Don't you remember that we met on the stage when you first arrived?"
"I'm sorry. There was so many wonderful things to see that day. I guess I got too excited and forgot."
Meg smirked. "Yes, well Mr. Y's playground can be full of wonder." She started to walk a little faster than Nancy and motioned for Gustave to keep up. "So why do you want to swim?"
"I want to learn so many things. Mr. Y taught me how to ride horses and while I am a little afraid of the water, I have always wanted to swim."
"I can't imagine Mr. Y getting his mask wet." She started to laugh.
"Don't make fun of his mask!" Gustave shouted.
"Take it easy, kid. I am the last person that would make fun of him." She cursed the timing of her sense of humor.
"Hey you two, wait up!" Nancy called out and started running towards them. "The water isn't going anywhere." She then smiled at Gustave and took his hand. "Last one there is a rotten egg!"
Nancy and Gustave ran to the water, but Meg took her time. She looked behind her at Mr. Walker and got an idea.
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"Meg, what took you so long? First you were sprinting over here and then we all start running and you turned into a slow poke."
"I was thinking of Mr. Walker."
"What about him?"
"Don't you think he should be doing something else to earn his pay, around here? If you ask me, he wanted to be sure he was able to watch you and Gustave." She stripped not so shyly out of her clothes and jumped into the water in her undergarments.
"Meg!" Nancy scolded.
"What? We are going swimming."
"Yeah but…"
"What? I didn't have time to bring a suit. Would you rather I be in here naked?"
"Gustave don't pay Meg any mind, okay. I'm going to teach you how to swim in no time. But first we need to practice some of the basics."
After a few minutes, Meg swam over to where Nancy and Gustave were. "Hey!" She saw Nancy was trying to get Gustave to float but he was nervous.
"Meg, we're busy."
"I can help."
"Really? Because you've been doing your own thing since you got in the water."
"Look, I'm sorry. I can help nervous swimmers. Gustave, it's okay, just…." She touched his big toe and he started to panic and started to sink.
Nancy grabbed him. "Easy, honey. It's alright. I got you." She glared at Meg. "What the Hell?" She mouthed. "Gustave, there is some lemonade in my basket. I am going to walk you over to where you can stand up and walk on your own. Why don't you get yourself a drink and we'll try again, okay?"
He nodded.
Meg waited until the boy was out of earshot. "I didn't mean to scare him. Look, I just thought you might want a break."
"Meg…."
"I can look after him while you talk to Mr. Walker."
"Why would I talk to him?"
"Because you like him and from the way he has been staring at you, I know that he likes you too." She grinned.
"You saw him staring?" She went to look at him but then turned away quickly.
"I haven't been working since I got here. All I have had time to do is listen to gossip."
"How come you haven't said a word until now?"
"I didn't even know you liked him till we started walking over here and I wanted to see for myself if it was true. Plus, with the kid and all…. Look, I am a great swimmer. I can teach him better than you can. Go and talk to the man."
"I don't know…. Ms. Fleck…"
"You said you would take the boy swimming. We are all right here. I promise on my life, he will be fine. Now go and make your move."
"Meg, I swear if I find out you are lying to me…."
"I'm not! Now go and talk to him. You can come back here and personally drown me, if it goes bad, alright?"
Nancy thought about it for a minute, but her heart got the better of her. "Okay but just for a minute."
Gustave saw Nancy leave the water and he moved closer to Meg and called out. "Where is she going?"
"She just had to ask Mr. Walker a question. It's okay, Gustave. I won't hurt you."
He carefully got back into the water and walked over to Meg. "I'm not afraid of you."
"No? Good. But you are afraid of the water, eh?"
He looked down at the circles she was making when she moved her hands. "I'm going to leave if you say anything bad about Mr. Y."
"Honey, I told you I like him a lot. He's my friend and so is your mother. I knew them both years ago in Paris. I remember when they first met."
"You do?"
She nodded. "Oh yes. I could tell you some stories of the old days if you'd like. I could even teach you to swim."
"But Ms. Nancy…"
"She's right over there and can join us anytime. But…. Can I tell you a secret?"
He nodded.
"I am a better swimmer than she is." She winked.
"You are?"
"Watch this."
Meg got out of the water and ran back in, only she did a summersault in midair causing a splash, which made Gustave laugh and applaud. She came up for air and smiled at him as she pretended to bow.
"See? So, can we start again?" She extended her hand out to him. "I'm Meg. You are?"
"Gustave." He shook her hand.
"Please to meet you Gustave. Now let's teach you how to balance in the water."
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Mr. Walker was polite but didn't encourage Nancy's flirtation. When Nancy came back to the lake both Meg and Gustave were drying off.
"Ms. Nancy, I can do it! I can float by myself in the water. Meg said she will teach me more!"
She gave the boy a weak smile. "That's nice, Gustave."
"Gustave, can you get the basket on the other side?" Meg asked.
"Ok." He walked away.
"What happened?" Meg looked over at Walker and then back at Nancy.
"Said he was too busy to get involved. Can you believe that?"
"That's men for you…. But notice how he didn't say he didn't like you." Meg concealed her smile. "Look, can you take Gustave out tomorrow for another lesson?"
"I don't know. I have to work so…."
"Well, I can do it. Would you mind?"
"No, why?"
"Good. He's a good kid. Besides, I need something to do with myself."
"Just as well, I don't need Walker looking at me from a far."
"You think he'll be following the kid from now on?" That won't do at all.
"I don't know." Nancy shrugged.
"Works out better for you, then."
"I have the basket." Gustave held it in his hand still smiling from his accomplishment.
"Thank you, Gustave." Nancy took it from him. "Shall we go?"
The three started walking together but soon Meg motioned for Gustave to walker faster, so they were ahead of Nancy again. Nancy was still so irritated about Mr. Walker, she didn't really notice.
"Gustave, how would you like to surprise your Mother and Mr. Y?"
"How?"
"Don't tell them you went swimming with me."
"Why not?"
"Because we shouldn't tell them until you can really swim. It will be a big surprise for everyone."
"But Nancy offered to teach me."
"Yeah but she can't teach like me, remember?"
"Do you… Do you think they'll like it? I mean do you think I can really be a good swimmer?"
"Believe me, Gustave, you'll be a natural in no time. We just need to keep practicing but until you are ready, let's just keep this between you and me. Our secret, okay? Then we'll give your Mother and Mr. Y the surprise of their lives!"
