Alice-Miranda in Paris 7 (16 page)

‘What criminals?’ he asked.

‘Well, whoever has stolen that expensive fabric from Monsieur Christian, for example,’ said Alice-Miranda. She watched his face closely.

‘What fabric?’ His voice was rock-steady.

‘The vicuna. But it sounds like the police have some good leads. I’ve heard that the police think Monsieur Christian’s ex-wife is part of it. Well, it’s nice to see you again, monsieur.’

The man simply nodded, then walked down the steps into the basement.

Alice-Miranda stared at the door. She must have got it wrong, she thought. The man hadn’t been feeling well, that’s all. But as she ran back towards her friends she had a strange feeling that there was more to him than met the eye.

‘What did he say?’ Millie asked.

‘He said that he had a headache when we saw him in the park. That’s why he was so upset,’ Alice-Miranda replied.

‘You don’t look convinced,’ said Sep.

Alice-Miranda tried to shake off her strange feeling. ‘I’m sure it’s nothing,’ she said. ‘Come on, we don’t want to miss out on Monsieur Crabbe and Mr Trout’s musical extravaganza, do we?’

‘Really?’ Millie rolled her eyes. ‘I think we do.’

Alice-Miranda grabbed her friend’s hand and they ran along the footpath with Sep close behind.

Millie was sure that there was something Alice-Miranda wasn’t telling them. She would have to find out later.

Charlotte Highton-Smith sat at the computer scanning the contents of her mail. Her sister was sipping a cup of tea and reading the morning newspaper on the sofa behind her.

Charlotte giggled.

‘What are you laughing at?’ Cecelia looked up and asked.

‘Rosie Hunter’s first article. It’s a general overview of what happens at Fashion Week – you know, the chaos and things celebrities will do to get the best positions at the shows. She was reminding me of that hideous woman at reception yesterday. When I checked in she was demanding that her mistress’s bath be filled with goat’s milk warmed to 44 degrees. I thought I was hearing things but no, that was the request.’

‘Who are these people?’ Cecelia giggled. ‘That’s a new one. But do you remember the first year Mummy and Daddy brought us to the shows and that ghastly pop star had her ridiculous hat fashioned from a full-sized ironing board. She had people diving for cover every time she turned around.’

‘And didn’t she have a pet rabbit in her handbag, too? I can’t imagine how it just sat there. Probably loved the entertainment, actually,’ Charlotte added.

‘It sounds like you’re happy with Rosie’s first effort, then?’ Cecelia quizzed.

‘Oh, yes. I’m disappointed she didn’t make it to Versailles yesterday for Christian’s show. But I think this article will make a splash and then hopefully she’ll be feeling better and can get out to cover more things.’

‘Poor woman can’t help being unwell, Cha,’ Cecelia said, ‘and it sounds as if she’s keen to impress.’

Charlotte stared at the screen. She read the last few lines of Rosie’s email and then read them again.

‘So are you okay if we leave in about half an hour? We can take a taxi over to the children’s hotel in St Germain and then we can walk from there,’ Cecelia said.

Charlotte didn’t respond. She was still engrossed in whatever was on the screen.

‘Charlotte, did you hear what I said?’ Cecelia asked a little louder.

‘Sorry, Cee, I was just reading something that Rosie had written in her email. She’s left me a bit of a teaser.’

‘What is it?’ Cecelia asked.

‘She hasn’t said much, just that if things unravel the way she’s expecting them to, we’ll have a huge scoop,’ Charlotte explained.

‘I wonder what she means by that? A huge collection, a huge frock, a huge designer? I hope the woman’s not trying to be too clever. I guess you’ll just have to wait and see,’ said Cecelia. ‘Now are you sure about today?’

Cecelia Highton-Smith had arranged with Miss Grimm to take Alice-Miranda and Lucas out. The headmistress had scheduled a quiet day – the group might venture to the park or on a short walk but she didn’t want the children to be too tired before their performance at the mass at Notre Dame that evening. Cecelia had been very surprised to learn too that the Finkelsteins were in town. She was thrilled when Morrie gave his permission for Lucinda to join their outing. Sep, Sloane, Jacinta and Millie were coming along too, so in all they would be looking after seven children.

‘Oh yes, I can’t wait to see the kids. But you haven’t said where we’re going yet,’ her sister replied.

‘Somewhere Mummy and Daddy used to take us when we were girls. You always loved it,’ Cecelia said mysteriously.

‘Okay, if you say so.’ Charlotte hit send. She had replied to Rosie that she loved the article and it would be posted on the Highton’s website immediately. As for the other teaser, she didn’t comment. Better not to engage with the woman on that until there was something to comment about.

The children were gathered in the dining room for their breakfast when Miss Grimm pulled Alice-Miranda aside. She ushered her upstairs into the hotel foyer.

‘I know that you were looking forward to spending the day with Lucinda but I’m afraid there’s been a change of plans,’ the headmistress informed her.

‘Really? Did Mr Finkelstein change his mind?’ Alice-Miranda asked. ‘I’m sure I could call and convince him that Lucinda will be perfectly safe with us for the day. I mean, you’re a headmistress and we also have a headmaster with the group too and everyone knows you have to be more responsible than almost anyone in the world. Except perhaps someone like Mr Grayson, who looks after a whole country.’ Alice-Miranda was referring to the President of the United States, whom she had met at her aunt’s wedding earlier in the year.

‘Oh, you’re very kind, young lady, but I’m afraid things have changed,’ Miss Grimm said with a frown. The headmistress was facing the hotel entrance and had just seen Alice-Miranda’s mother enter.

‘I hope you’re not too disappointed, darling,’ Cecelia Highton-Smith added.

Alice-Miranda spun around. ‘Mummy!’

Cecelia scooped the tiny child into her arms. Charlotte walked through the door just as Alice-Miranda’s feet touched the floor again.

‘Aunt Charlotte,’ she cried and raced towards her favourite aunt. Charlotte leaned down to hug the child. She then kissed her on both cheeks, on the tip of her nose and on her forehead, just as they always did. It was their own special greeting.

Alice-Miranda frowned. ‘Am I too heavy now that I’m eight?’ she asked, referring to the fact that Charlotte usually picked her up and twirled her in her arms.

‘Oh, darling.’ Charlotte smiled. ‘It’s not that at all. I just have to be a little bit careful at the moment.’

‘Did you hurt yourself?’ Alice-Miranda stepped back and looked at her beloved aunt.

‘No, nothing like that. But where’s Lucas? I’d like to talk to you both.’

Miss Grimm was way ahead of her and had already gone downstairs to get the lad.

He walked into the foyer and was stunned to see his stepmother and her sister.

‘Charlotte, what are you doing here?’ Lucas hurried over and gave her a hug.

‘Hello, handsome. Cecelia and I thought we’d surprise the two of you. We went to a show yesterday expecting to see some fabulous new singing group who were supposed to be performing but they didn’t turn up,’ Charlotte teased. ‘It was at the Palace of Versailles, too. Imagine that!’

‘We were there. They moved us to this out-of-the-way place and nobody saw us,’ Lucas protested. ‘But what are you doing in Paris? Is Dad here too?’

‘Cee and I decided to spend the week together and see some of the shows. And of course your shows too – if you ever bother to turn up.’ Charlotte winked. ‘And no, your father is in the wilds of Colorado shooting scenes for the movie.’

Madame Crabbe was watching the scene play out from the reception desk. She was trying to keep quiet but could no longer contain herself. She practically burst through the reception counter as she scurried over to Charlotte.

‘Excuse me, madame,’ she said, ‘I couldn’t help hearing. Are you married to this man?’ She was holding the photograph of her and Lawrence Ridley.

Charlotte studied the picture. It was her husband all right. And the woman in front of her.

‘
Oui
, madame,’ Charlotte said kindly. She thought Lawrence looked a little overwhelmed but she wasn’t about to say so.

‘You are a beautiful woman. And if he can’t have me then he deserves someone as beautiful as you. And your children, they are beautiful too.’ Mrs Crabbe glanced at Alice-Miranda and Lucas, who both grinned.

‘Thank you,’ Charlotte giggled. ‘I see you’ve met Lawrence.’

‘
Oui
. He is a gentleman and I adore his movies.’

‘Tell her the truth, wife,’ shouted Monsieur Crabbe, who was watching the interaction from behind the desk. ‘You adore her husband full stop, amen. But I have told her that a handsome man like Monsieur Ridley will not be interested in an old woman like her.’

‘Monsieur Crabbe, that’s horrible,’ Alice-Miranda scolded. ‘Madame Crabbe is lovely and young and she’s very beautiful. You are lucky to have her. And she’s lucky to have you too, of course.’

‘
Merci
, Alice-Miranda. You see what I have to put up with,’ Madame Crabbe tutted, and shook her head. ‘It is a pleasure to meet you, madame.’ She took Charlotte’s hand in hers and drew in a sharp breath. ‘You and Monsieur Ridley will have a beautiful baby too.’

Charlotte’s eyes widened.

‘How did you know?’ she looked at Madame Crabbe.

The woman shrugged. ‘Just a feeling, but it seems I was right.’

‘What baby?’ Lucas asked.

Alice-Miranda beamed. ‘That’s why you didn’t pick me up. You’re having a baby!’

Charlotte looked at Lucas and Alice-Miranda and nodded.

‘That’s fantastic!’ Lucas exclaimed. ‘I’m going to be a big brother.’

‘And I’m going to be a big cousin,’ Alice-Miranda added.

‘Well, there’s a little bit more to it than that,’ Charlotte gulped. ‘You see, Lawrence and I are having . . .’ She held up two fingers and whispered, ‘twins.’

Alice-Miranda and Lucas looked at each other, their mouths gaping open.

Lucas finally found his voice. ‘Two?’

Charlotte nodded. Cecelia was standing beside her sister, watching the children’s reactions.

‘That’s awesome!’ Lucas reached out and hugged his stepmother, then released her quickly. ‘Oh, sorry, I didn’t hurt you, did I? Sorry, little guys,’ he said, staring at Charlotte’s middle.

Charlotte shook her head. ‘I think these babies are going to be tougher than you think.’ A tear wobbled in the corner of her eye. ‘I know your father wanted to be here to tell you too, Lucas, but he’ll be so thrilled that you’re happy.’

Lucas looked surprised. ‘Of course I’m happy. I’ve always wanted a brother or sister. I just wanted to know who my dad was to start with, and now I have all of you. It’s unreal!’

‘Your father
is
here, Monsieur Lucas.’ Madame Crabbe held up the photograph of her and Lawrence. ‘And he is smiling . . . all the time.’

Everyone laughed.

Alice-Miranda hugged her cousin. ‘It’s going to be great, Lucas,’ she said as she stepped back. ‘We’ll be able to look after the babies and give them their bottles and change their nappies.’

He wrinkled his nose. ‘You can take care of the nappies, little cousin.’

Miss Grimm congratulated Charlotte, as did Madame and Monsieur Crabbe.

Cecelia caught her daughter’s eye. ‘Well, darling, did Miss Grimm tell you that we’re spending the day together?’

Alice-Miranda shook her head.

‘I thought she might like a surprise,’ said Miss Grimm. ‘I’ll just go and get the others.’

‘Which others?’ Alice-Miranda asked.

‘It hardly seemed fair that we would take you and Lucas on your own, so I’ve arranged with Miss Grimm and Professor Winterbottom to take Millie and Sloane and Sep and then we’ll head over to get Lucinda, too. I don’t think I could manage the rest of the group,’ her mother explained.

‘Oh, that sounds wonderful,’ Alice-Miranda beamed. ‘What are we going to do?’

Charlotte smiled and said, ‘Your mother hasn’t even told me what she’s got planned. She’s been very mysterious.’