gave lunch parties every day, with heavily laden buffets and the finest French wines.
All their guests talked constantly about how perfect everything was, and Nigel relaxed with Coco again. She tried to do the same. They made love for the first time in a month. And in spite of what it was costing her, Coco had a fantastic time too. It would have been impossible not to. They all felt like Cinderella after the ball when they got deposited back on the dock in Monaco, after two of the most perfect weeks most of them had ever spent.
They were driven to the airport in a van after the crew said goodbye to them. The captain had been extremely efficient and very pleasant. They had work to do when the charter guests left. The owner and his family were coming on board the following day, and sailing to Greece, to spend a month there.
The group was silent on the way to the airport, as reality hit them after two weeks of sheer heaven.
“You have to admit, it was incredible, wasn’t it?” Nigel whispered to Coco in the van, looking pleased with himself. He had thoroughly enjoyed it, and told the captain they’d be back next year. Coco couldn’t believe how cavalier he was about what they had spent. It didn’t bother him at all. He hadn’t even thanked her, and acted like their benefactor for organizing it. The guests barely thanked Coco.
The flight to London seemed like an affront after the comforts of the boat, and it was raining when they arrived. Nigel had spoken to the contractor, and he had said everything was ready for them. Even the new furniture they had ordered was in place, where the decorator had told them to put it. They went straight to their new house from the airport, and she and Nigel were both thrilled when they saw it. It was beautiful, and even the art they had purchased had been hung. Coco had spent a fortune, and it showed, which was Nigel’s intention. But it was worth it. They would have the house for years, and as Nigel said, their children would grow up in it. This made a lot more sense to her than two weeks on someone else’s boat with nothing to show for it except memories, and with people who weren’t even her friends. They were his. Nigel was surrounding himself with people who took full advantage of the benefits he offered, at Coco’s expense.
They were planning to move out of her rented mews house the next day. They spent an hour walking around the new house with the architect and contractor, inspecting things before they went home. They were both in great spirits after seeing the house, and they had congratulated the contractor on his fine work, and for completing the job on time.
Their daily cleaning lady had left them some cheese and salad and a roast chicken in the fridge at Coco’s house. It was depressing serving themselves the haphazard meal after the opulence of the yacht. Everything was packed in cartons.
“I can’t wait to move in tomorrow.” Nigel looked at her lovingly and she smiled. She was admittedly more relaxed after the boat trip, they were on better terms, and excited to be moving into their new home, whatever the cost. The money was spent now and the house was exquisite.
She spent the next morning finishing packing a few last things and by noon they were moved in. Nigel had packed his clothes and nothing else. He had no other possessions. He had given up his apartment and thrown everything away. He had no family souvenirs and nothing of value.
They had a sandwich in their new kitchen, and then she drove over to Leslie’s house. They were meeting a new client at three o’clock. They had gotten several clients from a corporation where Leslie had connections, and two Americans who had heard about them from a friend. Their relocation business was taking off.
Leslie smiled when she saw Coco with her deep tan. She looked relaxed and said the move had gone well. They were all moved in, and were going to sleep there that night. To make up for being away for two weeks, Coco stayed to help Leslie until eight o’clock that night. Nigel was out when she got back, and hadn’t left her a note.
For the next two days, Nigel and Coco hardly saw each other, after having been constantly together on