Free Presumed Dead by Vince May Page B

table, she found a
hairbrush and comb, a hair dryer and some basic items of makeup and hair care.
The makeup and hair things were all brand new. Tears came to her eyes as she
looked at all he’d done for her. She was deeply touched.
    After she’d dried her hair and tied it back
in a loose ponytail, she tried to patch up her face a little with some makeup,
then went through the clothes for something to wear. She was nervous of wearing
Louisa’s clothes, conscious that although Philippe had given them to her, it
might upset him, but she really didn’t have any choice. Most of the things
looked like they would fit her okay, thought the trousers and jeans were too
long and the bras were two cup sizes too small. I guess Louisa must have been
taller and thinner than me, she thought.
    In the end, she chose one of the simple
summer frocks and wore it with clean knickers but her own bra. Although she
hated putting something back on that she’d already worn for three days, it was
better than going without because she certainly did not want to appear
improperly dressed in front of Philippe.
    When she finally came out of her bedroom
and padded barefoot through the house, she found him in the kitchen stirring a
saucepan of bubbling bolognese sauce. He’d obviously showered, shaved and
changed because his hair was clean and nicely combed back and he was wearing a
white open neck shirt with navy blue slacks. The white shirt showed his deep
suntan off to perfection and was protected from the volcanic bolognese sauce by
a blue and white striped chef’s apron. Alice thought he looked very attractive.
    Cool evening air streamed in through an
open window and mixed with the wonderful aroma of onions and garlic. A small
table with a red and white check cloth was laid for two with a single candle, a
bottle of red wine and a basket of sliced French stick. A portable CD machine
played Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. Philippe didn’t hear her come in.
    Alice stood watching him for a few moments,
drinking in the scene, then said, ‘Mmm, that smells good.’
    He stopped stirring the saucepan and came
slowly towards her. ‘You look wonderful,’ he breathed, then, taking her hands
he asked ‘How are your cuts and grazes?’
     ‘Much better thank you, all nice and
clean. I think the best thing is to let the air get to them now.’
    He looked at her hands, then at her knees
and said, ‘I think you are right. They are healing nicely.’ Letting her hands
go, he went back to stirring his saucepan.
    ‘Thank you for all those things you left
out for me,’ she said. ‘It was very kind of you.’
    ‘I hope the makeup and hair things were all
right, it was all they had in the village shop.’
    ‘You went out specially to get those things
for me?’
    ‘Yes, and to get some fresh bread. You can
not eat in France without fresh bread.’
    ‘That’s true,‘ she said, wandering over to
the table and helped herself to a piece of the bread. ‘I love French bread.’
    ‘I’m glad you found something that fitted
you,’ Philippe said, looking at the dress. ‘Tomorrow, I will take you into
Nîmes and you can choose some clothes for yourself. I’m sure you would prefer
to wear your own things.’
    ‘No,’ she protested, ‘you’ve done too much
for me already. I’ll just wash out my shorts and top and make do with those
until I go home.’
    Putting his wooden spoon down again, he
came and stood in front of her and said, ‘Now look, I know it is important for
a woman to have nice clothes and to feel good in what she wears, and I am sure
you do not feel comfortable in Louisa’s things. It would give me great pleasure
to take you shopping, please don’t deny me that.’
    ‘You are the most considerate man I have
ever met,‘ she said, smiling.
    ‘Good, it is settled then. Tomorrow after
breakfast, we go to Nîmes. Now, Madame, your dinner is ready.’
    Alice sat down at the table while Philippe
dished up two steaming bowls of spaghetti bolognese.