Jennifer Bohnet - You Had Me At Bonjour

By the time we were admiring the exquisite Lalique screen in the main salon we were both – for want of a better word – somewhat gobsmacked at the sheer opulence of it all.

When we returned to the aft deck there was an ice bucket with a bottle of champagne nestling in it, three glasses and a tray of bite-sized nibbles.

‘Sit,’ Nino instructed. ‘I open the champagne. Help yourselves to the food.’

I couldn’t stop myself asking, ‘Nino, are you sure this is ok? What if your owner turns up early?’

‘It’s not a problem Jessica. As capitane , when he is not here I have freedom to welcome certain people on board. Who knows, maybe one day you may wish to charter the yacht.’

Expertly he twisted the cork out of the bottle with a satisfyingly loud pop, before pouring the pale amber liquid into the glasses.

‘If you’re sure,’ I murmured, accepting the glass he handed me. ‘But I shouldn’t hold your breath about us ever chartering the yacht.’

Nino shrugged. ‘No worries.’

Sitting out there on the aft deck in the sunshine, savouring the champagne and laughing with Bella and Nino, the real world faded away. I mean, I know people with real money live a life a world away from the rest of us – but I’d never before appreciated just how different it could be. Fancy being able to take that kind of lifestyle for granted. Not something that is likely to happen for me.

Nino told us how he spent the summer months motoring up and down the Med. ‘Bruno likes to visit Corsica and Sardinia. We see a lot of Italy too – especially Portofino. Occasionally we go to Greece but we’re always here in our home port in May for the Film Festival, before moving on to Monaco for the Grand Prix. After that, we’re all over the place.’

Bella told him about my plans to write some features for UK magazines.

‘I help if I can,’ Nino said. ‘I ‘ave lots of the contacts here. You have a Press Pass for the festival? Lots of parties. I get you invites.’

‘Thank you. Not sure how difficult it will be to get a Press Pass but I’ll definitely try,’ I said.

‘Wish I could wrangle a visit next month,’ Bella said. ‘Sounds like I’m going to be missing out.’

An hour later, when the last of the champagne had been drained, we stood up to leave.

‘Jessica, have you seen Tante Eliosa recently?’ Nino asked as we put on our shoes.

‘Not for a few days, but she’s coming to supper on Sunday evening to meet Bella.’

‘ Bon . It is good she has a friend in the building.’ He pulled a card out of his jeans pocket. ‘I give you this – my mobile number – s’il y a there’s an emergency with Eliosa and you need help.’

‘Sure. Hope I never have to use it,’ I said, putting Nino’s card in my bag. Knowing my luck, he’d be out at sea somewhere and not available.

On the train back to Juan-les-Pins, Bella teased me about Nino. ‘He’s quite the hunk. D’you fancy a fling with him?’

‘Mmm. Could do. He’s probably got a girlfriend already,’ I said. ‘Must meet lots of glamorous women in his job.’

3rd April.

Been thinking about Bella’s suggestion of turning this diary into a proper blog and sending it out into cyberspace. Not sure I’m ready for that yet. I know I’d censor my ramblings if I thought other people were reading it, and the whole point of my angsty diary is to write my true thoughts down.

But she’s right when she says there’s so much to write about down here. Think I’ll start with the idea of writing some travel and lifestyle features about the Riviera.

4th April.

Today we walked to the market in Antibes to buy some treats for Sunday evening’s supper. It was crowded as usual but for once everybody was happy and polite – sometimes they are so bad tempered and rude you wouldn’t believe.

Felt a bit sad looking at all the wonderful Easter eggs displayed on the chocolatier’s stand. Normally back home I buy a large calorific one filled with chocolate liqueurs, which Katie and I would pig out on. The days are long gone when I used to organise an Easter egg hunt in the garden for her.

Ben hates chocolate so he usually got a bottle of decent wine – which we’d allow him to share with us over Sunday lunch. Felt strange this year sending Katie the money to buy her own Easter egg.

Couldn’t resist buying two fluffy yellow ducks holding baskets full of tiny chocolate mallow eggs. ‘One each for tomorrow,’ I said, seeing Bella’s look. ‘It’s Easter. You’ve gotta indulge in chocolate at Easter. It’s the law.’ I bought a chocolate duck wearing a top hat and carrying a cane for Eliosa. Think she’ll find it amusing.

Bella treated us to lunch in one of the posher restaurants off the Place Nationale. Sipping rosé whilst sitting out in their garden under the large pergola with the wisteria starting to flower, listening to the water gurgling in the ancient granite fountain in the centre of the garden, was bliss. Food was good too.

We just chilled out for the rest of the day really. Drank lots of wine, ate warm baguettes and cheese for lunch and listened to a lot of jazz. 1920s stuff in particular, Bella’s favourite era.

5th April.

Been thinking about what Bella said re Nino being a hunk and did I fancy a fling with him? To be honest, don’t think I’m ready yet to start dating again. Is it still called dating? Must ask Bella. I’ve been out of the loop for so long, don’t even know the correct terminology now.

If the truth be told, I’m frightened at the thought of getting involved with anyone after Ben. Being dumped after twenty-three years plays havoc with your confidence that’s for sure. Suppose I’ll get my mojo back again one day. And regular sex again.

6th April.

Eliosa was in good form when she came for supper. Think she’s had quite a life one way or another.

‘Married four times. Divorced one, buried three,’ she laughed. ‘Wonder what will happen to number five,’ she said.

‘You’re getting married again?’ I said, surprised.

‘ C’est possible. I like being married. If I meet someone...’ she shrugged.

‘You haven’t actually got number five all lined up then?’ Bella asked, amused.

‘ Non . But you never know who is around the next bend,’ Eliosa said, offering Brucie a piece of blini from her plate.

‘Maybe an Englishman would be nice this time,’ she said thoughtfully. ‘I’ve had two Italians, one French, and Roberto, Swiss.’ Her face clouded over and she sighed. ‘Roberto was my fourth husband and the love of my life. We only had six years together and I miss him still. He died too young. D’you know anyone suitable, Jessica? He must be richer than me of course.’

I shook my head, suppressing a smile. ‘Sorry. Rich Englishmen don’t figure in my life at all. Maybe Nino can find you a rich yacht owner?’

‘Ah Nino. Now he is on way to Genoa for a week or two. When he returns I ask him. He tells me you both had the champagne on board. You like his boat?’

‘That yacht is something else,’ Bella said, beginning to pour some more wine into Eliosa’s glass. ‘Tell me, does Nino have a girlfriend?’

Eliosa shook her head. ‘ Non . But he has a wife. Back in Italy.’

I choked on my blini as Bella over-filled Eliosa’s glass. And bang went any secret thoughts I might have been harbouring about having a fling with Nino. Not that I’d seriously been considering it, of course. But an outside possibility had just become totally out of the question. My name isn’t Samantha.

7th April.

Spring down here is a beautiful season. Not too hot yet, but the sun is shining enough to draw people down to the beach. Even saw some people swimming yesterday. Despite the sun, I bet it was cold.