was really upset when Michael gave the part to…’
‘Gosh yes, a ticket to the Vanity Fair party would be to die for. Any chance of…’
‘No. We can’t meet there. It’s too risky. What if we were seen?’
Marcus was right; there was gossip everywhere.
Surely that was Tom Hanks over there talking to Bruce Willis? And that glamorous actress getting into a limousine looked incredibly like Meryl Streep.
Wandering through the crowds, Daisy wondered again about the possibility of chasing down a scoop for the paper. She just wasn’t that keen on investigative journalism. As she’d told Poppy, she much preferred to write feel-good stories about people rather than write ones that besmirched them.
Lingering near the carousel she spotted the young girl from the previous day, Cindy, riding around happily on one of the gaily decorated carousel horses, the tall man standing to one side attentively watching. He smiled in acknowledgement at Daisy when he saw her, before turning as the carousel slowed to a stop and helping Cindy off.
‘Come on, let’s go for those pizzas. Mummy said she’d meet us there and maybe Daddy as well.’
So Daddy had arrived then, Daisy thought, wishing she could follow them and at least put faces to Mummy and Daddy. But it was time for her to learn the trade secrets of how the stars managed their haute-couture appearances, so she crossed the Croisette and walked in the opposite direction, towards the luxury designer shops.
It was past three o’clock when she arrived back at the villa, intending to write up her notes, finish her report and do some internet research on Philippe Cambone. Having failed to unearth anyone locally who’d known the director and was willing to talk to her, the internet seemed to be her only option.
With luck too, she’d be able to grab some sleep before heading back down into Cannes for the first evening red-carpet screening and then on to the party with Marcus.
Poppy was on her mobile as Daisy walked into the cottage.
‘Well, I’m glad you’re très desolé, but it doesn’t help me this afternoon, does it?’
Poppy slammed the case cover down on her mobile before turning to face Daisy.
‘Can you believe it? The car people have double booked and they’re “very sorry”, but they are unable to meet Anna Carson this afternoon.’ Poppy ran her hands through her hair distractedly. ‘What on earth am I going to do? It’ll be impossible to find anyone else at this short notice.’
‘I shouldn’t worry. I expect she’ll just grab a taxi,’ Daisy said. ‘Just hope it’s not my Speedy Gonzales!’
‘She’s expecting to be met. I’ve got no way of telling her to take a taxi. My first booking for the villa and this happens.’
‘What time is her flight landing?’ Daisy asked.
‘If it’s on time, in an hour,’ Poppy said, looking at her watch.
‘I can look after Tom – is he at school? I know where that is and can walk there. You can go and collect Anna in your car.’
‘Would you? Oh, no that won’t work,’ Poppy sighed. ‘They don’t know you so they won’t let him come with you before I’ve officially introduced you. New stricter policy about strangers at the school gates these days.’ She looked at Daisy. ‘I don’t suppose you—’
‘Poppy, you know how much I hate driving down here,’ Daisy said, but she took one look at her sister and sighed. ‘Okay. Give me the flight details and the car keys and I’ll go and meet your Anna Carson.’
Anna was relieved when the plane finally landed at Nice airport fifty minutes late. It had been an uncomfortable flight and she couldn’t wait to collect her luggage and meet up with the car she’d ordered for the journey to the Villa Flora.
The Arrivals Hall when she walked through was crowded. Official-looking chauffeurs were everywhere, holding up boards with various names on them, none of them hers. Did the flight delay mean the chauffeur hadn’t waited?
As people were shepherded off to their transport and the waiting crowds thinned slightly, Anna stood there at a loss to know what to do.
‘Excuse me. You wouldn’t be Anna Carson by any chance?’ a voice at her side asked hesitantly.
‘Yes,’ she said, turning to face a young woman holding a small piece of paper with ‘Anna Carson’ scrawled across it.
‘Hi, I’m Daisy – Poppy’s sister. I’m afraid there was a difficulty with your hire car and Poppy asked me to meet you.’
‘Oh, thank goodness. Being so late arriving, I was worried I might be stranded,’ Anna said, smiling.
Following Daisy as she led the way through the car park, Anna listened as Daisy explained what had happened.
‘So, instead of a proper chauffeur and a limo, you’ve got me and my sister’s runaround,’ Daisy apologised as she opened the boot and put Anna’s two cases inside.
‘I’m just grateful to be met,’ Anna said. ‘I’m not that fond of limos anyway. I like sitting in the front passenger seat and official chauffeurs aren’t too keen on that.’
As Daisy concentrated on finding her way out of the car park and back to the autoroute, Anna sat quietly looking out of the window.
When Daisy let out a muttered curse, she said, ‘Something wrong?’
‘I’ve missed the autoroute entry slip road. Do you mind if we go back along the bord de mer instead? It’s not as quick, but at least I know my way.’
‘I’d enjoy the scenic route,’ Anna said. ‘Do you live down here with your sister?’
‘No. I’m staying with her for the festival. I’m a journalist,’ Daisy replied. ‘It’s my first time covering the festival.’ Waiting in a queue for the traffic lights to change, Daisy looked across at Anna. ‘I gather this is your first festival too?’
‘What makes you say that?’ Anna said, surprised.
‘Your bio in one of the trade papers says although you’ve been in the industry for some time, you’ve never been to Cannes before.’
‘I’ve never had a film make its premiere here before,’ Anna answered.
‘Your film Future Promises is showing at the weekend, isn’t it? I expect you’re looking forward to walking up the infamous steps?’
‘Think so. I’m not used to being in the glare of the spotlight,’ Anna said. ‘I’d rather leave all that to the actors. To be truthful, I find the whole thing rather daunting. Much rather be in the background of things.’ She smiled. ‘So long as my partner, Leo, manages to get here in time, I’ll be fine.’
