Alain sat on the side of the bed and waited. It seemed to take forever until Guy came on the line again. “The secretary said that the student in question was from Concord, New Hampshire, in the U.S.
“I called the information operator and was given her family’s phone number. It’s different from the one on her original application to the school. Do you have a pen?”
“Yes.”
“I’m going to give you the country and city codes, too.”
Alain wrote everything down. “Merci, Guy!”
“You’re welcome. Let me know what you find out.”
“I will.”
He hung up, planning to call the number tonight. By that time it would be late afternoon on the East Coast. Hopefully Rachel Marsden’s parents would be home.
Just as he reached the door to go downstairs and help his grandmother, the phone rang again. He dashed across the room to answer it, thinking it might be Guy calling because he forgot to tell him something.
“Hallo?”
“Alain?”
“Uncle Tris—” Guilt swept through him. “I thought you couldn’t call me until tonight.”
“I decided to surprise you and let you know I’d arrived safely.”
“I’m glad.”
“Are you all right?”
“Yes.”
“What have you been doing so far?”
Alain’s cheeks went hot. “On the way home from the train, Grand-pere took me to the boat show exhibit. What about you? How soon are you going to start blowing things up?”
His uncle laughed. Though Tris and his dad were completely different they sounded a lot the same over the phone.
“This week we’re starting out with mountain climbing maneuvers. The good part won’t come until the second half of training.”
“I wish you didn’t have to go anywhere.”
“Well I’m here now, and before long it’ll be over. How soon are you leaving for Lake Como?”
“Grand-pere said early in the morning.”
“Have you found out when Luc’s parents will be bringing him?”
“He called me a little while ago and said the day after tomorrow.”
“Then you don’t have such a big wait. That’ll be fun to have your best friend with you.”
“I guess. I hope you don’t get a headache while you’re gone.”
“I haven’t had one in several months.”
His uncle was lying. “That’s good.”
“You know what? You worry too much, but I love you for it.”
Alain’s eyes smarted. “I love you, too. Please don’t get hurt while you’re climbing.”
“I was just going to say the same thing to you. When you and Luc go out on the paddle boats, promise me you’ll wear your life jackets. Sometimes the wind comes up unexpectedly. I had a close friend die on that lake in a summer storm because he wasn’t wearing one.”
“I promise.”
“How are the grandparents?”
“Fine. I’m going outside in a minute to help them weed.”
“I’m sure they’ll appreciate your hard work and the company. I’ll phone again tonight after they’re back from their nightly walk and talk to all of you.”
“Okay. A bientot.”
“Thanks for the ride, Mrs. Pearsoll.” Natalie Marsden dragged her duffel bag from the trunk.
“You’re welcome!”
“Phone me later, Nat,” Kendra Pearsoll called from the window.
“I will.”
Natalie ran up the walk to the porch of her grandparents’ Georgian styled house and let herself in the front door with the key.
“Nana?” she called out. “I’m home.” She hurried through the interior to the kitchen. Her grandmother had left a message on the fridge with one of the magnets Natalie had given her for her birthday.
She dropped her bag, then poured herself a glass of milk. While she drained it she read the note her grandmother left.
Natalie, I’m next door at Mrs. Bleylock’s, looking at her newest little grandson. I guess your hockey practice took longer than usual. Come on over and see how cute he is. Love, Nana.
She grabbed an apple and started for the front door. If she didn’t hurry, her mom would be by to pick her up before she could get a peek at the new baby.
She was halfway through the dining room when she heard the phone ring. It was probably her mom who’d left work and was letting her know she was on her way to pick her up. She retraced her steps to the kitchen and lifted the receiver.
“Hello?” she said, a trifle out of breath.
“Hello. Is this the Marsden residence?”
Whoever the boy was on the other end of the phone, he sounded foreign.
“Yes. Who’s this?”
“My name is Alain. I’m looking for Rachel Marsden.”
“That’s my mom.”
“Oh. Is she there?”
“No. Are you sure you have the right number?”
“Did your mother once go to school in Geneva, Switzerland?”
Natalie blinked. “Yes.”
“Did she ever sail on the QE2?”
The mention of the ship gave Natalie butterflies on her insides. “Yes.”
“Then she’s the one.”
Her hand absently fingered the end of her long, dark brown ponytail. “How do you know about my mom?”
“By accident I found out she was on the same ship as my uncle.”
Natalie held her breath. “What was his name?”
“Tris Monbrisson.”
Natalie
