Author's note.
Afer the last chapter, I received some comments about the sad ending.
It kept me busy for quite some time on how to make a good ending.
Finally I found one!
Enjoy!
2045
In the small French village of Gigaro, not far from the famous seaside resort of St Tropez, was a villa perched on the rocks above a small creek with a tiny beach. In the creek was a small jetty where one motor yacht was anchored . A stone staircase led to the villa whose large terrace overlooked the creek and the sea.
It was a beautiful July morning and the warmth of the sun was already being felt at 8:30 am.
Kate, in an ochre dress, looked at the table she had just set for breakfast and nodded.
That's it. I'm now waiting for Dylan before to put orange juice, milk and chocolate on the table. It must be fresh, not reheated.
At the back of the villa she heard a car stop.
Yeah, It's him.
"Honey! Petit déjeuner", she heard him say.
"Great! I'm starving", she replied as she went into the house to get the orange juice, milk and chocolate. They kissed as they passed each other.
At the table he put the croissants and a baguette in the breadbasket and sat down. Kate came back and filled two glasses with orange juice. She also sat down.
"Cheers!", she said and they toasted.
"Bon appétit madame", he said with a grin and took a sip.
"When do we have to be at the airport?", she asked.
"At 2:00 pm. It's a direct flight from Heathrow. Is our guest room ready?", he asked.
"We've everything. Even fresh flowers. Luckily I didn't have to give a present", Kate said.
"Yeah, indeed, in this case, you would still be busy", he replied deadpan.
"I just won my first cappuccino", she smirked back.
"What? It's the truth".
"Indeed, but to make fun of a retired vice-admiral means cappuccino", Kate said looking over her sunglasses.
In response, he threw a croissant crumb at her.
That afternoon, at Toulon airport. Dylan and Kate were waiting at the arrival gate. Lots of smiling people came out. They were on the eve of their holiday.
Suddenly, Kate poked her husband, "There they are."
"NIKKI, PETE!", she yelled.
Nikki and Pete looked in the direction of the voice and smiled seeing their friends. They turned around and headed to them. Kate hugged Nikki and Pete. Dylan shook Pete's hand and gave a peck on Nikki's cheek.
Kate stared at her friend and Nikki noticed it. "I know, I wear the most comfortable clothes I have to travel. Twenty-four hours of flying and in duty free is killing". She was wearing a T-shirt, a cotton trousers and a pair of boat shoes.
"How are you feeling then?", Kate asked.
"What time is it? Half past two? My body is still on Sydney time and is telling me it's eight hours later, so half past ten. This jetlag is killing me", Nikki said tiredly.
Kate wrapped her arm around her friend, "Well dear, have a good shower and crawl into your bed. Tomorrow you'll be reborn".
"Kate, Dylan, we would like to thank you for your hospitality. Are you really sure we don't have to refund the tickets?", Nikki asked.
"No dear, this is our present for your retirement. I'm sorry weren't able to be there at your party", Kate said.
"You're too kind. I don't know how to thank you", Nikki replied.
"Just enjoy your stay on the French Riviera", Kate said.
"Absolutely, but first I'll get to know my bed. I just feel like a zombie", Nikki replied.
"And what about you mate? Shower and bed?", Dylan asked.
"Hey, do you want to kill me? I long for a good beer. I hope they have some in France?", Pete said.
"Nah, it doesn't mean much, but the supermarket here offers Belgian beers and they are really great. I have Duvel in the fridge, but be careful, they are much heavier than our draft.
The next morning Nikki had put on a long white dress and walked to the terrasse.
"Good morning Kate, Dylan", she said.
"Hey, did you sleep well?", Kate asked.
"Yeah absolutely", she said, looking at the breakfast table, the creek and the sea, "Oh my Gosh. I have to believe that the Garden of Eden really exists".
"Start to believe in it", Kate replied.
"Is it really yours?", she asked in disbelief.
"It is".
"Why are you coming back then? If it was me, then I stayed here forever", Nikki said.
"Well, you know, in the winter, it can be very cold and wet here too. So we're better off underneath. We go where the summer is", Kate said smiling.
"And what happens in the winter?"
"A French colleague takes care it. He's a retired French Navy petty officer and he's proud to work for the former vice admiral of Australia".
"Hmm, I see".
Nikki pointed to the creek with the beach and the jetty, "So, is that yours too?".
"Yep".
"Hmm, a private beach then. And no curious glances?", she asked.
"Nope".
She chuckled, "Well, if it was mine, then I'd dare take it all off".
"Well, uh…", Kate mumbled.
Nikki whipped her head towards Kate, "Oh! You're such a dark horse! You did it!"
"No, no", Kate protested.
"Oh no Kate, I've known you too long for that. You just betrayed yourself and now you made me terribly jealous!"
At the same time, Pete arrived after running up the stone stairs, a towel around his neck, "Hey baby, good morning. I went for a swim. The water is great here and no sharks in these waters", he said, kissing her.
"Hi darling, hmm, I have to do that too", she said, looking at the water eagerly.
"Be right back! Shower and then brekkie", he said over his shoulder, running to their bedroom.
"Nik, did you hear anything from Mike and Kerry? The last time they had wild sailing plans around Australia and Tasmania", Kate asked.
"Well, after a lot of yes, no, maybe, let's go, we should, they are gone. They also started a vlog with their adventures and when I heard about it, I saw that they must be around Cairns", Nikki sighed.
"Oh? A vlog? We didn't know it. This is something new. Can you give us the link?"
"Yeah, it's in my notebook", Nikki said,
staring at the sea.
"Hmm, you don't feel at ease", Kate said.
"No Kate, I'm not. He's seventy-five and she's seventy-two. This kind of adventure is not long for them. And the waters around Tasmania can be very rough around the time of year they're there", she said scrunching her nose.
"Hey, hey Nik. Remember you have to deal with Cowboy Flynn. He is the sea. He's the Australian Jack Sparrow and she, she's a sub sheila. Once a sub, always a sub. Sub people have seawater running through their veins. You'll see, after a few months, they'll be back, probably telling us they've seen the notorious Tasman tiger", Kate said to comfort her.
She looked at Kate a little indignant, "Kat, now you're acting like they are super man and woman. Haven't you forgotten? You saved the lives of dozens of people! And you probably avoided a war"
"Yeah, that VC. Nik, I just did what I had to do. And when I think about it right now, it was probably the dumbest thing I've ever done. I could have been torn to pieces together with that French guy", Kate defended herself.
"No, no Kate, you had the choice and you showed that you and the frog had guts. I'm still proud of you", Nikki corrected her.
"Where's brekkie?" they heard Pete ask and the case was dropped.
"Yeah and we've got some bacon and eggs for you Pete. We didn't want you to starve after eating a French brekkie", Dylan said, grinning.
They sat down.
"Oh croissants! Wonderful!", Nikki said while taking one.
"What are we going to do today?"
"We go to Saint Tropez, one of the famous French coastal cities. We'll explore the city and you can discover a typical French market. We'll buy the produce for our dinner", Kate said.
"Oh lovely!"
Late in the afternoon, Kate and Dylan were setting the table at the terrace for dinner. Nikki watched them a glass of aperitif in her hand.
"So what, Shirley Broom? Do you already have ideas for another novel?", Kate said, teasing her friend.
"Absolutely! It's just lovely here. I see clues everywhere to start a story. I'm glad I brought my notebook and I'm going to get back on the plane right away after take-off", she replied with a broad smile.
"Hey, we're four and you're setting the table for six", she noticed.
"Because, we're going to be six", Dylan said deadpan.
"Ah? And may I know who will be your guest?", Nikki asked curiously.
"Nik, this is a surprise for you", Kate said setting the glasses down on the table.
"Again?"
"Yep."
"Darling, when is our surprise expected?", Kate asked.
Dylan looked at his watch, "Oh, any moment now".
"Oh, you both are….", Nikki grumbled and at the same time the doorbell rang.
"Here's the surprise", Dylan said, pointing to the door.
He walked to the door, opened it and put his finger to his mouth to indicate to their guests not to say anything. He guided them to the terrace.
"Hi mum", the man said.
"Josh!", Nikki exclaimed and embraced her son.
"What are you doing here?"
"Congratulations mum. It was Kate and Dylan's idea. They thought it might be fun to be here too", he said.
"Hey dad", he said to Pete shaking hands.
"How are you son?", Pete greeted his son.
"I couldn't be better dad!".
"Oh my Gosh! I'm so glad to see you", Nikki said beaming.
"And dear, who's with you?", she asked, seeing the young woman next to him.
"Well mum, dad, this is my fiancée, Amber", he said, putting his hand on the lower part of the brunette next to him.
"Oh no! You're engaged!", Nikki exclaimed!
"Welcome to the family!", she said, embracing Amber.
"Congratulations to you both", Pete said shaking their hands.
"By the way, how did you get here?"
"Kate invited us and we travelled to Marseille with the TGV. Once there we rented a car", Josh said.
"Well guys, dinner is served", Dylan announced, putting a large dish down on the table with various kinds of cheese and ham.
"Great! I'm starving. The sandwiches on the train were just cardboard", Josh said.
They sat down. Dylan filled the glasses with rosé wine and Kate passed them the bread.
"Enjoy your dinner".
"Oh, Amber, what is your last name?", Nikki asked.
"McGregor", she replied and looked surprised to see the astonished faces around her.
"Hey hey guys, there are other McGregors on the planet than me", Kate said.
"Where did you meet?", Nikki asked.
"At the bank in London. We were working together on the same project", Amber said.
"I have an apartment there and I thought it was more fun and financially worthwhile if we shared it", Josh added.
"And I didn't have to commute every day", Amber continued.
"Oh, so you have come a long way?", Kate asked.
"More or less, but the traffic is slowing down in London", she said.
"Oh? And where do you have to come from?", Kate asked interested grabbing her glass for a sip.
"Burford in the Cotswolds. It's very beautiful there. I grew up in a Hawks Hill mansion.…", she said but she stopped because Kate coughed while drinking her wine.
Spilling wine all over the place, she spluttered, "Wha…what did you say? Hawks Hill?"
Amber couldn't understand and frowned, "Yes, Hawks Hill. It's the name of the mansion. Do…you…know it?"
Kate turned pale, "Oh my Gosh! Who are your father and grandfather?".
"My Dad is Owen McGregor and Grandad was Duncan McGregor. Did I say something wrong?", Amber asked hesitantly.
Kate gasped and took a sip.
"No my dear, you didn't say anything wrong. The point is, I lived in Hawks Hill until I was nine and my Dad was Duncan McGregor, you see. Looks like I'm your aunt", Kate explained.
Now it was Amber's turn to remain speechless.
She frowned, "So you are the missing Katherine McGregor. My Grandad mentioned it a few times. He remarried after his wife left him taking his daughter with her, you see and my Dad always wanted to find his half sister. But a few years ago he gave up. Now, I get it, he was looking for Katherine and not Kate", Amber said.
Kate scrunched her nose, "Mother used to call me that. It sounded more like a disease, and I decided to be Kate".
She leaned back in her chair, "I have a brother and a niece. Oh my Gosh! That's great news", she said.
"Honey, wasn't that mentioned on the inheritance document?", Dylan asked.
"No, the notary made me sign a paper with a small note specifying my part of my father's inheritance. When I signed it, he had already passed away for seven months. I think the English notary must have hired a private investigator or something", she said.
"A part did you say", he replied.
"Uh, yes, part of it. Hmm indeed, you're right! There must have been another part, but I never realised it. So far", Kate said.
Kate looked at Nikki, "Well Nik, it looks like we are going to be a real family".
"Damn it, Kate, stop before I start crying", Nikki replied blinking and waving her hand.
Kate looked at Amber, "Well, now I can't wait to talk to him".
"Why wait any longer? Go for it. Call him and drop a bomb over there. I'll give you his number", she encouraged Kate.
Kate went into the house to pick up her cell phone.
She dialled his number and waited anxiously.
"This is Owen McGregor speaking. Good evening", she heard at the other end of the phone.
"This is Kate McGregor speaking. How are you brother?"
END