Part 4 of 4

Catherine stands athwart the doorway, waving, until she swings back to the room with a gusty sigh, "Lah! Daughter dear, why did you have to marry the most eligible bachelor on the island? Setting up all those blind dates to make you see the error of your ways was nothing compared to THIS!"

An aggrieved voice speaks from the floor as Richard Poole duck-walks his way back out from beneath the table, "And what do you mean by 'THIS'?"

Catherine glares at the both of them before flouncing away, "I think you know very WELL what I mean!"

Camille laughs quietly then sees her husband's insulted look. She shrugs and waves a hand, "You'll have to forgive her, she's totally 100% French."

Richard's eyes flare and he is on the brink of starting another spat then sees her merry eyes and gives over. Dwayne had been right; in any argument involving one man and one woman, the man is always outnumbered. If it involves TWO women, the man should refrain from even starting the argument. If it involves two FRENCH women, the man should run. He huffs a resigned breath. Too late now.

"So," he queries, "What do we do?"

She throws a chummy arm around his shoulders, gives him a squeeze, "WE do nothing, husband dear. You are 4 islands away, remember? I'm making an appointment with the Land Registrar first thing tomorrow morning for them to pull the necessary documents. I'll take Miss Park's documentation in and we'll compare everything against everything else. Once I'm sure we have a case, I'll set up a meeting with Suzy, her grandparents, and the St. Remy monstrosity…"

Richard flinches, "Don't call her that. It sounds extremely prejudicial and unprofessional."

Camille nods, "OK then, your Bestie, potential man-napper and dungeon-keeper…"

Richard slumps, "OK, you can call her anything but that."

Camille looks to the ceiling, "AND… even if there's still some doubt of the Parks' claim or if the monstrosity digs her expensive and stubborn little heels in, I will then trot out my secret weapon and Octavia will fold like a cheap tent."

Richard frowns, "Really? Um, what is this 'secret weapon' of which you speak? It must be pretty lethal if you think it will make her change her mind about anything. That's quite a fertile swath of land you're talking about. I don't see her giving it up without a fight."

Camille smirks, "The secret weapon IS lethal. It's you. I'll dangle you in front of her like a bright shiny lure and she'll snap at it without thought. I think you underestimate the 'regard' she holds for you."

He starts to squirm. He smooths down his tie and fidgets before plaintively whispering, "You won't leave me alone with her, will you?"

Camille throws her head back and laughs uproariously, "NO! Never! That woman isn't getting within reach of you ever again! Maybe I'll mention a little 'Poole' party might be in the offing, even hint there's a Speedo to show off." He turns green at this but she carries on. "Then the whole team will show up and I'll give the Speedo to Dwayne which won't bother him in the slightest. YOU will stay firmly behind me, or Fidel, maybe both of us if she decides to try anything desperate."

He smiles hesitantly. The plan SOUNDS good but, like a gentle maned stag facing down a ravenous wolf pack, he just isn't sure. Then he gulps and straightens his shoulders. His team. His team will protect him, keep him safe. After all, he's risked his life before with them and vice versa. All will be well.

Camille smiles and changes gears, "That's it, my darling, everything is in hand. Now, would you like an early supper? Maman can't stay mad at you for long, just like me. Must be some sort of family trait. I bet she's got something really nice simmering for you in the kitchen. Want to go check?"

He sits up alertly, all thoughts of poaching females flying out of his pretty head. "Oh, you bet! I could do with a lovely well-done bit of beef." He starts to his feet and disappears into the kitchen where the smells are beginning to waft enticingly, especially to someone with a most lovely nose.

She watches him go with a shark's smile, "You do that, my own lovely bit of beef. Then I'm gonna take you home and show you what 'simmering' REALLY means. You had your warning shot about the babies. Now the gloves are off and the baby-making starts in earnest!"

She leans back in her chair and lets her mind wander.

Oh yeah, the time has come and now everything starts for real!

END