Free Alice-Miranda in Paris 7 by Jacqueline Harvey Page A

there was a lovely shot of her on the cover of
Gloss and Goss
,’ said Charlotte.
    Cecelia nodded. ‘Yes, I saw that too.’
    ‘Well, you might not get to meet Rosie Hunter either at the rate I’m going. She’s not answering her telephone at the hotel and I didn’t ever get a mobile number for her. I’ll try her email.’
    Charlotte sat down at the gilded Louis XIV desk in front of her open laptop just as a message arrived in her inbox. ‘Oh, here she is now.’
    Cecelia picked up a magazine from the coffee table and sank into the overstuffed couch.
    ‘Oh dear,’ Charlotte said. ‘She says she’s just returned from the doctor. She’s not well but she doesn’t go into any details other than to say that she doesn’t want me to catch anything so we should postpone the meeting for a few days.’
    Cecelia looked up and said, ‘Well, I think she’s right. You don’t want to risk catching something in your condition.’
    ‘Gosh, Cee, you make it sound like I’ve got the plague,’ said Charlotte, grinning. ‘You’re right, though. I hope she can still get to some of the shows.’
    ‘Do you want to come with me to see the LaBelle collection?’ Cecelia asked.
    ‘Why not? I’m intrigued.’
    ‘Good. That’s enough business for now. Would you like some tea? Or a lie down?’ Cecelia enquired.
    ‘No, I’d quite like to go for a walk, if you’re interested,’ Charlotte replied.
    ‘Come on, then.’ Cecelia picked up her handbag.
    Charlotte retrieved hers and they headed for the lift.
    ‘Where shall we go?’ Cecelia enquired as they stepped out of the lift and walked across the elegant foyer.
    ‘What about a stroll along the river? It’s such a lovely afternoon. Then we can find somewhere for coffee, or hot chocolate?’ Charlotte suggested.
    Cecelia was about to reply when she spotted someone familiar. Perched in one of the large armchairs beside a potted fern, and hidden behind an obscenely enormous pair of sunglasses, a well-dressed woman was typing on a laptop.
    Cecelia walked towards her. ‘Ambrosia, is that you?’
    The woman flinched and looked up. She put her laptop aside and pushed her sunglasses onto the top of her head. ‘Hello, Cecelia.’
    Cecelia leaned in and kissed her on both cheeks, then said, ‘You remember my sister, Charlotte?’
    ‘Yes, of course, the beautiful bride. How could I forget?’ She smiled and stood to kiss Charlotte’s cheeks too.
    ‘Are you here for the shows?’ Cecelia enquired.
    ‘Yes, you know what it’s like. I thought I’d get in a couple of days before the real chaos begins,’ Ambrosia replied. ‘See some of the designers. Catch up with everyone.’
    ‘Is Jacinta here with the school group?’ Cecelia asked.
    ‘Yes, yes, she is. What about Alice-Miranda?’
    Cecelia nodded. ‘Mmm, I can’t imagine them getting away with leaving her at home. But she has no idea we’re here, so if you happen to see them before we do, would you mind keeping it a secret? I want her to get a surprise when we catch them at the first show.’
    ‘Of course. Actually, could you do me a favour and keep my being here between us as well? I have so much to do and I’d hate for Jacinta to be disappointed,’ Ambrosia explained.
    ‘But you will see her at the shows, of course?’ asked Cecelia carefully. She knew of Ambrosia Headlington-Bear’s rather poor reputation for looking after her daughter.
    ‘Yes, of course. I . . . I hope to,’ Ambrosia fumbled.
    ‘Well, we should be going. We thought we’d make the most of this glorious sunshine.’ Cecelia linked her arm through Charlotte’s. ‘I’m sure we’ll see you again. Perhaps we could have dinner one evening.’
    Ambrosia smiled thinly. ‘That would be lovely.’
    ‘By the way, have you ever heard of a fashion writer called Rosie Hunter?’ Charlotte enquired.
    Ambrosia shook her head. ‘Why do you ask?’
    ‘I just thought she might have popped up on your radar. Rosie seems to know everything about the