be a big, how you say… big opportunité,’ he said, dipping the fishing rod back in the river.
‘What does your father do?’ Emma inquired.
‘Tsk!’ Guy spat, shaking his head.
The displeasure in his voice shocked her and she averted her eyes from him, worried she had spoiled the date. They hadn’t opened the picnic basket yet and he hadn’t tried to kiss her again.
‘He is dead to me,’ Guy responded. The way he said the words was brutal.
‘He isn’t around?’ Emma asked.
‘I do not know where he is. I do not want to know,’ he replied, still shaking his head.
‘But your brother? Your mother’s baby?’
‘His father is not around either,’ Guy said, turning to look at her.
‘I’m sorry,’ Emma said, swallowing a ball of nerves and anticipation.
‘Non, don’t be sorry. I will look after him. I just need a chance, perhaps with OGC Nice,’ Guy told her.
Emma smiled at him and he took hold of her hand and raised it to his mouth. He placed a delicate kiss on her skin and she let out a little gasp of delight and surprise.
‘Are you… faim?’ Guy asked, still holding her hand.
‘Hungry? Oh yes! Dad made scrambled eggs this morning and they were really horrible… très horribles,’ Emma said, using exaggerated hand gestures.
‘J'ai du fromage et du pain, des olives, des raisins locaux et une bouteille de Merlot,’ Guy said.
‘Wine,’ Emma said, a flush of adventure reddening her cheeks.
‘You like red wine?’ Guy asked, opening the basket.
‘Oh yes, I do,’ Emma said, smiling.
Chapter Ten
Present Day
‘You have to leave again? This early?’ Madeleine asked as Guy entered the kitchen of their four-bedroom house in Finnerham.
They had only moved in a few weeks ago but already, thanks to a team of movers the football club had provided, it was looking like a luxurious mansion inside and out. The lawns were mowed every second day and they had a fresh flower arrangement for every room brought on a Thursday.
‘Yes, I teach the children today. Tonight I will be back for the football club party,’ Guy said, picking an apple and an orange from the fruit bowl on the central island.
‘You know I arrange for the couples clothing design today. This will be the second time I have to cancel,’ Madeleine continued.
‘I’m sorry. The football club ask me to fill in for Jason Simpson. I am new here. I am their face for promotion. I have to honour their commitments,’ Guy responded.
‘And what of my commitments? Our commitment, huh?’ she huffed, one hand on the hip of her designer dress.
‘I will make it up to you. Tonight, we will go to the party. Why not buy something new?’ he suggested, kissing her cheek.
‘New dress, new shoes, a bag and a coat,’ Madeleine said, pushing out her bottom lip in an attempt to look affronted.
‘Whatever you want,’ Guy responded, picking up his kit bag.
Right now he would say anything to get out of the house. He had just over an hour to get to Finnerham and then he would be seeing his son for the first time.
‘We need more goats’ milk and we’re almost down to the last guava. Could you call the personal shopper?’ Madeleine called as Guy headed for the door.
*
Dominic yelled out in excitement when Chris told him about the football skills day, with apparently the world’s greatest footballer, Guy Duval. Emma had never heard Chris this enthusiastic about football before. Now it was the Whites this and Finnerham that and by the time Emma had got Dominic in the car he was bouncing about with excited energy.
‘This is so awesome, Mum! I can’t wait to tell everyone at school,’ Dominic said, kicking the back of Emma’s seat with his indoor football boots.
‘Well, some of your friends might be there. We’re probably the only ones who found out about it yesterday,’ Emma replied.
‘Guy Duval’s an awesome player. Did you know he scored three goals for France against Austria in a friendly last month? I watched it on YouTube,’ he continued.
‘No, I didn’t know that,’ Emma responded.
She did know he had a birthmark at the top of his left thigh though. She didn’t think YouTube would have a clip of that.
‘He’s played for OGC Nice, then Marseille, and Finnerham have just signed him for fifty million,’ Dominic carried on.
‘Fifty million? Pounds?! That’s extortionate.’
‘It’s awesome,’ Dominic replied, using the obvious watchword of the day.
When they reached the front doors of the Wellness Sports and Spa Fitness Centre they had to weave a path through the giggling mothers