The Chateau. Karen Aldous

felt her cheeks redden.

      ‘Hi, er, this is my partner, Max Gill,’ she turned to Max. ‘This is the bride’s cousin, Ollie Martin.’

      Ollie stepped across her and took Max’s hand. ‘Good to meet you.’

      Gina, scanning the cards, realised both Max and Ollie’s were to be sat at this table. Nervously she looked for her own name. She was just making her way around the table when her mother called out to her.

      ‘Gina, you’re over here sweetheart.’

      Relieved, she dashed to the top table leaving Max with his new acquaintance. As the meal progressed, she could only glance and wonder what the two of them were talking about. However, her attention was soon diverted when the speeches began. The bride’s father was first, followed by the groom. Her brother spoke eloquently and made some quips about his bride and being the new son-in-law, which amused the audience. But his final sentiment changed their giggles to coos.

      ‘So, Gabriella and I have begun making plans and can’t wait to hear the pitter patter of tiny feet. We intend to start a family as soon as possible. We can’t wait.’

      Gina’s eyes moistened and, burying her head, she discreetly dried them on her napkin as she dared peek at Max. He was barely paying attention, instead, chatting to a woman the other side of him. She caught Ollie’s eye instead. His eyes bore right into her, locking for several seconds. A sneer crossed his face. He really did fancy his chances, she thought.

      She focused her eyes again on Max. Her brother’s sentiment was obviously wasted on him and probably would have gone right over his head even if he had been listening. He didn’t understand. Doubtless he was working on the whole table – aggravating guests to part with their hard-earned cash for his charity. That guy has no scruples when it comes to money, other peoples’, that is. But that was what had made him such a success in the banking world. He knew how to play the stock markets. It was just a giant Monopoly game to him. That was part of the attraction. He was clever, smart and a loveable rogue: her ideal man. Or had been. Obviously he was distracted nowadays. Where had their shared dream gone? He’d always wanted a family with her, he’d always said so, so why did he keep putting it off?

       Chapter 4

      Agnes-Francesia clapped her palms. Finally she had the connection she had so longed for. She had failed time and time again. But this felt promising so she had to find the energy to make it work. She had often scared people. And this girl was scared. Most thought they were being harassed by the devil himself, she was sure. It was important to try again. It had been fifty-five years since her last opportunity.

      It was now over four hundred years since she had been captured, imprisoned and then burned at the stake. For four hundred years she had been seeking someone to help. She could never rest until her mission was complete. Was it so wrong to want to be back with her husband and family? Hope flooded through her. Now she had the contact and the host was receptive she had to keep track of her. The country had changed and she had stretched her energy wide to keep abreast of what was going on – a plethora of modern transport, huge glass buildings, peculiar items which lit up. Wonders indeed. And she had to build on her knowledge of her host’s life. On her last attempt, her host went away and she had lost track of her even though she knew the area well. The host had disappeared into a large arch in the mountains that didn’t end. She has since learned that these arches went right through the mountain for miles. These are new mountain passes but they call them tunnels. She had to make sure she stayed with the new host, Georgina, but they call her Gina. A very pretty girl who hasn’t passed out yet!

      ***

      All too soon Gina returned to London. She let herself into her flat and picked up her post. It had been a wonderful wedding and she’d loved seeing all her family. Quite a weekend, bar the nightmares. They were vivid and disconcerting. And, the woman. Apart from dreaming of huge angry brown bears under her bed as a child, she’d never experienced anything like it. During one dream she’d thought she’d heard a woman calling. It was hard to understand but someone close to the woman, another female voice, was calling the name Anis-Frescoro or something similar. She couldn’t be sure. She wanted to confide all this to someone, her mother possibly. But what could she tell her; no she would never believe her. Everything in her mother’s garden was rosy and nice. And she’d go straight and tell Aunt Bernie.

      Gina just hoped she would sleep better tonight, back home. It was always possible the altitude had been affecting her mind. It can do that, she knew. She’d had some pretty vivid dreams before in the mountains. Not as upsetting as these though. Anyhow, she was home now.

      Spending time with her parents had been quite refreshing. Since starting up her new business in London, she hadn’t had much of a chance to get to see them these last twelve months. She did wonder if her father was OK. He’d seemed rather distant but had insisted he was fine. Maybe it was his reaction to the wedding; his baby boy getting married. There had been a lot of tears from him and her mother. Especially during James’s speech. That had really taken everyone by surprise.

      Her heart wrenched again. Her brother and her new sister-in-law had already planned their family. That had really knocked her sideways. It was only difficult to take in because James was four years younger. She’d always teased him about being ‘Uncle James’ one day but, such as it was, she would be Aunty Gina before she was even a mother. Don’t you dare start feeling sorry for yourself!

      In the office the following morning, Rebecca, Gina’s assistant, was already at her desk, brushing a vast curtain of long strawberry blonde hair down one side, as Gina arrived. She smiled as Gina scuttled in from the wind, forcing the door behind her.

      ‘Phew, that’s some wind this morning. How did the wedding go?’

      ‘It was amazing, thanks. Yes, all went to plan. And Switzerland, I’d forgotten how beautiful it all is. The lake, the mountains, sheer heaven.’ Gina almost blurted out something about her scary dreams but thought better of it. There was too much to do to start adding drama into the office.

      ‘Wasn’t it cold?’ Rebecca asked, sliding her brush into her bag and pulling out her make-up bag.

      ‘No, not at all, the weather was gorgeously warm. Montreux has a bit of a micro-climate, it’s a bit like the French Riviera.’

      ‘But no beach, shame.’

      ‘Oh, contraire, the lake has beaches, promenades, sailing boats. You should try it.’

      ‘Maybe I will one day. So how are the newlyweds?’

      ‘Yes, very good, they’re so happy together. So,’ Gina paused, ‘well suited and madly in love.’

      ‘Lucky pair. Where are they honeymooning?’

      ‘Venice, I believe.’

      ‘Oh, so romantic.’ Rebecca sat back dreamily.

      ‘Anyway, how are things here? Are they still buzzing?’ Gina scratched her head anxiously while peering at a large tin on Rebecca’s desk

      ‘Haven’t stopped,’ Rebecca said and went on to explain all the business activity over the weekend.

      ‘Brilliant. That’s what I like to hear. I shall have to go away more often.’

      Gina, switched on her computer and began checking her emails. Flicking through and deleting rubbish as she went. She was surprised to see an email from Oliver Martin and opened it with curiosity.

       Hope you had a good journey back. It was lovely to meet you at the weekend. I do hope we meet up again. Took the liberty of seeking out your website.

       Hope you don’t mind me getting in touch. I wondered if you could give me some help with research, which I’m currently doing for a site in Battersea, riverside. 2, 3 and 4 bed apartments, four penthouses. If I send you spec and square footage, would you be able to give me some guide prices?