The Chateau

Chapter 8

Agnes-Francesia gave herself a satisfied smile. Seems to be going well, she thought. Gina wasn’t actually that phased by her, which was surprising. She pondered as to whether she was getting better at her contact or whether the world was changing. She preferred to think it was the former. It could be her efforts were more refined with the practice she’d had over the years but it was always possible people were more in touch with their spiritual side or had less fear of it.

The main thing was that Gina was emotionally reacting to this man. He seemed perfect, attractive, single and, without doubt, close to the Château quite regularly. But her movements were, she felt, scaring Gina. Maybe she should try something gentler, less invasive. She’d caught her attention though.

She understood this girl was not from her own homeland. But that wasn’t important. Her own life had begun in Switzerland, in a village not too far away but her marriage had taken her to be with Luca in Italy. People adapt even when the languages differed. Gina was from the British Islands. That was a long distance, but she had felt so fortunate to have found her in Switzerland especially near to the Château. The problem had been trying to get her back. It really wasn’t pleasant, unforgivable, in fact. She just hoped she could right that wrong later. It was a fact of life. Men easily succumbed and it was the only way she could manipulate the situation.

This travel was a problem now too. For over a hundred and fifty years the long tubes on tracks carried people. Not horses like she had after she married Luca. They didn’t have to walk from town to town like she did when she was young. In fact, mamma mia, they flew in carriages like birds now. Even food was transported in them. Luca would laugh, to think his merchandise could be carried through the air when he had had only boats and horses to rely on. Her poor Luca and her poor boys. She had to get this right this time and be back where she belonged.

***

Gina woke rigid and unable to move from fear. It was still dark. She’d been floating back down in the bleak dark cavern. The sulphuric stench hung heavy in the air while the same woman was chained to the wall. Again held the package out to Gina. She reached out to catch it but then a guard ran at the woman. Gina had then tried to move but every limb, every muscle locked. Only her heart pounded and on waking her breath raced like she’d cycled up a mountain. Braids of sweat drenched her hairline.

Scrambling with her fingers as darkness still hung around her, she reached out and fumbled for the lamp and pressed the switch. Relief washed over her and she sat up. Everything around her seemed normal but the acrid odour still hung under her nose and the vision was all too clear in her head.

OK, she told herself, swallowing quickly. These are just nightmares. Very vivid, very repetitive, nightmares. The strangest she’d ever had in her life. And so real, like she was part of them. Why? After some minutes, she could only rationalise them occurring due to the stress of arguing with Max, her parents’ break-up.

But where was this woman? It seemed like a familiar place. She’d recognised the arched ceiling this time. It seemed too elaborate for a dungeon or prison. And why was the woman trying to hand her the package again? What was she trying to tell her? Did she want help? How could she? This woman seemed to be dressed in clothes from another century, several centuries ago maybe. Was she a poltergeist? Maybe she never found peace and…Oh fuck no.

You’re being stupid. Probably going bloody mad! Gina pushed off her covers and dug into her cabin bag for her tablet computer. She began searching the internet, looking for anything which may be of relevance to her dreams: woman in dungeon, spirits, even poltergeist. Apart from some obvious suggestions that she was under stress or that a lit dungeon is a warning of a threatened entanglement of which her better judgement should warn her, it was useless. The poltergeist search only really purported to affect pubescent girls, so that she discounted immediately.

She searched for at least two hours before checking the clock. It was nearly seven. She showered, dressed and crept out the apartment to the bakery on Rue des Artisans. She choose some delicious pastries to cheer up her mother, which the assistant boxed them and handed to her along with a small baguette.

‘Merci, au revoir,’ she said and turned to leave. As she stepped out into the street, her heart lurched. Her legs began edging towards a car a couple were climbing into. She began to run across the road towards it.

‘Dad, Dad,’ she screamed as loud as her vocal chords could manage and started to chase it as it pulled away and up Rue Gambetta. ‘Dad,’ she shrieked, her legs almost buckling beneath her as she ran faster. But the car gained speed as it climbed the hill. Defeat shot into her stomach. ‘Shit.’ She slowed and had to rest to catch her breath. She was sure he had heard her. She felt the swelling in her throat and, heading back to the path, released a torrent of tears. ‘You bastard, I know you saw me,’ she cried as the car disappeared.

What sort of man had he suddenly become, she asked herself wiping her eyes. Wasn’t it bad enough he didn’t answer his phone. Now it felt like he’d just twisted the knife. Phone, she thought, she quickly pulled it out and checked the time before turning around to head home.

She found it difficult to believe he would just drive off like that, ignore his own daughter. And it was hard to imagine he was living so close to home. If he was? He could have just been using the café across the road. But, Gina recalled her glimpse, the woman who got into the car with him was younger than she’d envisaged, closer to her own age than his. Jesus Christ. How could he? Anger pinched her cheeks as the realisation dawned. He really was with another woman. She wiped her forehead feeling hot. What on earth had gotten into him? She couldn’t tell her mother about this. Or should she? If it was her she would want to know. If only she could discuss it. But with whom? Aunt Bernie would know what to do but Adrienne had been adamant she didn’t want her to know yet. Max. She would ring Max. She pulled out her phone and hit his number. It went to voicemail.

Arriving back at the apartment, she prepared coffee and laid out bread and pastries. She heard her mother in the shower. Thank God for that, she told herself hoping her mother was feeling a little better. She quickly got out her phone and rang Ollie.

‘I was just about to ring you,’ he said. ‘I thought it was a bit early though.’

‘Oh,’ Gina sounded surprised. ‘Well, no it’s fine but listen, I need your help. Can we meet later?’

‘I was going to ask you, well, my mother has invited you and your mother over later this afternoon. Dad’s in Basel until tomorrow so I thought it might be an opportunity for your mother and mine to get together. They are neighbours so it should be relatively easy. My mother’s keen on the idea.’

‘But you didn’t say anything about my parents did you?’ Exasperation spurt from her.

‘Only what you told me, why?’

‘It’s just that I shouldn’t have mentioned it. Mum obviously doesn’t want anyone to know and is worried James will hear and get wrong information from another source. She hasn’t said anything to him yet because he’s still on his honeymoon. Well, there may be nothing to tell but I’m just asking you not to discuss it with anyone.’

‘Look, don’t worry. I’ll make sure my mother keeps it to herself. She’s not one to gossip anyway.’

Gina blew out a sigh of relief. ‘Well, yes, please. Tell her it’s rather delicate just now. And, my mum may need a bit of persuading to go out at all at the moment. So while it’s a great idea, I’m not sure she’s ready to socialise. I’ll let her know. I’ve got to go. Speak to you later.’ She rang off.

Adrienne appeared robed in her dressing gown, her face pale and her wet hair brushed back. Gina had to admit that she did look brighter despite her lack of make-up.

‘Morning, Mum. Did you sleep better last night?’

‘Not too bad. Probably slept too much yesterday though. Who were you talking to?’

‘Ollie. He asked us to go over, well, his mother invited us to hers later.’

‘I’m really not…’ Adrienne began.

‘Mum, we don’t need to go for long. It would just be Ollie and his mother. His father’s in Basel.’

‘I don’t have the energy to chat to strangers,’ Adrienne said, then peered at the table lain with confectionary and bread, her eyes, Gina observed, drooling over the pastries. ‘Oh, they look nice. You’ve been out already,’ she added as she scooped up an almond slice.

Gina flashed a warm smile. ‘I woke early,’ she said, delighted food was finally reaching her mother’s mouth. ‘I was hungry.’

‘Mmm, gorgeous,’ Adrienne said as she munched on the sweet pastry. ‘I do fancy a walk this morning, if you’d like?’

‘Great with me.’ Gina tried to hide her smile. ‘Perfect. Fresh air will do you good.’

After breakfast they strolled along the lake towards the centre of town, Adrienne’s arm looped through her daughter’s. The mist curled mysteriously and slowly over the water for a while until the sun eagerly burned through.

Gina breathed with some satisfaction that her mother had made some progress from yesterday. She was washed and fed with even wore a touch of make-up. As they neared the centre, a steamboat moored up and passengers disembarked along the gangplank, herding along to the well-known statue of Freddie Mercury. They walked past the tourists hovering around the statue and a Japanese couple stopped them.

‘Please, photo,’ they asked.

Visitors often came from the other side of the world to pay homage to the Queen star and take the Freddie Mercury tour. Gina took the camera while the couple stood below the statue, freezing their faces in eager smiles. Then an English couple made a similar request and Gina obliged. As she dashed back to where her mother stood she peered up and felt her heart skip. Ollie and his mother emerged from the other side of the market square, clutching supermarket bags and heading towards them. As they approached Gina gave a shudder, grabbing her right arm suddenly with the other hand. It felt like someone had gripped it with a freezing cold hand then let go leaving an imprint. Not again!

‘Are you OK?’ her mother asked, peering at her.

Gina furrowed her brow as she lifted her elbow to inspect it. ‘Yes, I’ve got an itch, that’s all.’

She tried to remain cool but internally her mind was racing. A pressure remained on the arm as though someone was leaning on it. She dropped her eyes to her sleeve and brushed it hard trying to erase the pressure. God, what on earth was this? She wanted to scream, to run. Something or somebody was around her, she was sure. Maybe the lake was haunted.

Ollie came up beside her and kissed her cheeks. Gina immediately felt a warm flush run through her veins. The pressure eased off. Ollie introduced his mother and Gina recognised her from James’s wedding. Adrienne gave a smile.

‘Good morning, ladies, this is my mother Celine Martin,’ Ollie announced.

‘Bonjour, Adrienne, Gina.’ Celine Martin gleaned a bright smile and greeted them both.

‘Bonjour, Celine. Yes, I remember you. And, we, George and I, met you and Didier at the golf club party a couple of years ago, I believe.’

‘Yes, that’s right. And the wedding, it was so beautiful. We didn’t get to chat. You must come along this afternoon. Come along about four. Ollie and I would like to get to know our neighbours better,’ Celine insisted.

‘That would be lovely.’ Adrienne smiled.

Gina gave a wide-eyed glance at Ollie in disbelief. Celine was charming and very difficult to refuse. He mirrored her surprise and Gina grinned. It would give her mother something different to focus on.

As they continued their walk, Gina could sense her mother’s agitation but said nothing. Her mother had made an unexpected response to Ollie’s mother and she just prayed she wasn’t just being polite and then would change her mind. She hoped she wouldn’t, she needed friends and distraction. Gina needed help too. She would have to get back to London and her business soon and, more importantly, away from these strange occurrences and nightmares.

Chapter 9

Ollie couldn’t hide his pleasure as the evening drew to a close. His plan had gone much better than he’d dared hope. Both their mothers had chatted in his mother’s conservatory like old friends and even discussed their relationship difficulties, which gave him an excuse to offer Gina an escape to the sitting room so that he could steal some time alone with her.

He found her exciting to be around and he was hungry to get to know her. Yes, she had expertise in the property business but she was far more than that. She lit his world when she appeared, her beautiful olive green eyes shone straight into his heart. As he’d sat opposite her listening to her speak of Max, he could only feel envious of this man who had secured her love, her attention. How he longed to run his fingers through that long dark hair and take her in his arms, claim her as his own. And, even though she was off limits and looking forward to starting a family with Max, she was a real tonic to be around and that was all he would ask, for now at least. She wasn’t married after all. He couldn’t help but sense a mutual attraction. What he had to do now was relax, keep calm. Try to act mature. There were surely no excuses for being shy at his age. He might have thought he was as a boy but he was a man now, for God sake. And she was too precious. He was sure it wasn’t just one-way. Plus, he’d made headway; she’d made him feel useful admitting she was grateful for his help.

Up early the next morning, Ollie, still wallowing in his pleasant memories of the night before, almost forgot his camera. He shot back to his apartment and picked up the rucksack placed on his chair. He strolled along the promenade to his site with more bounce in his heels than a ball. Feeling the cooler autumnal air steal warmth from his cheeks, he breathed in the beauty of the still lake and watched as ripples began to stir it. The mist was clearing and hazy beams dashed the sky through heavy cloud. It appeared threatening but Ollie knew only too well how the lake and mountains thrived on drama.

‘Bonjour, Thomas,’ he said, reaching the site and clambering over newly dug turf. ‘Good to see the landscaping’s started,’ he said, shaking hands with the hefty redhead, whose hands nearly crushed his.

‘Yes, they’ve only been here an hour and mapped it out already.’

‘Good. I would like to get some images as soon as I can. I’m enlisting some help to sell them.’

‘Do you need help? There seems a lot of interest in them already.’ Thomas shot Ollie a frown.

‘Well, I thought a wider audience might increase demand, drive prices a bit more, so they’ll be marketed from London too.’

‘Would this have anything to do with a certain young lady you were telling me about last week?’ smirked Thomas.

Ollie winked and produced a devious smile. ‘One can try.’

‘Ollie Martin, it will end in tears. She’s virtually married, you said.’

‘Yes, but since she’s been here again, I’ve become smitten.’

‘Look, I’d love to see my best mate happy, believe me, but you can’t hope that she’ll finish a long-term relationship. Married or not. I’d kill any man who dared to make a play for my wife.’ Thomas shook his head like a disgusted father. ‘I think you’re heading for trouble, to be honest.’

Ollie stared open mouthed at his foreman and friend. ‘Well, that’s honest. Maybe, you’re right but I still think she could be good for business.’

Thomas was right to some extent, Ollie figured. Gina was in a solid relationship. He needed to pale his enthusiasm. He’d been tempted to tell her exactly how he felt but he couldn’t risk scaring her off. He was just getting to know her and she him. Surely if he could prove that he wasn’t really the loudmouth she’d thought, she might fall deeply in love with him. Ha, fat chance! Stop kidding yourself. She was definitely a beauty and she’d be typical of the type to reject him. He would rather they be friends and business associates than risk getting hurt and humiliated.

It was so frustrating. After all, he had a lot to offer a woman particularly now he was growing his business independently of his father’s. He’d grown up and felt the time was right. He didn’t just want any woman however. Those that came easy weren’t worth it. He wanted Gina. Yes, their chemistry was explosive and she was stunning but she was everything else he admired too: bags of confidence and personality, a big heart and successfully independent.

If he could prove himself first, stick his neck out and show her how good he was at his business, help her with her mother, perhaps he could hope. Hope that she would find him irresistible.

He unzipped his rucksack and pulled out his SLR camera.

‘I can’t wait to get some internal shots for the brochures. I’ll need to wait a few days for that though. I thought I would get a few of the site in progress. This being my first project. And, once that sun breaks through, I’ll get some of the lake too. That’s what they’re all about, eh?’

‘I’d like to think it’s the quality of build and specification, myself.’ Thomas folded his arms and widened his stance.

‘I have upset you this morning, haven’t I, Thomas?’

Thomas, let his arms go limp. ‘No,’ he chuckled scratching his neck. ‘No, I don’t think it’s you. I’m just a bear with a sore head this morning. The kids were up in the night. Well, one of them was sick and woke the other one and then we were all up.’

‘Look mate, if you want to go and get your head down, I’ll keep an eye on things here.’

‘Thanks but I’ll be OK. It’s not the first time and I’m sure it won’t be the last.’

‘The joys of parenthood, eh! Can’t wait.’ Ollie patted his friend’s arm and imagined himself plodding along the lakeside with a toddler. Perhaps Gina’s child.

‘They certainly have their rewards,’ Thomas admitted.

‘I’m sure. Well, one day. Anyway, do you need me for anything? I want to get these photos and get on with getting everything together for the brochure.’

‘No. All is well at mission control.’

Ollie clambered back down to the lake and photographed scenes of the lake and items he thought would make interesting images: the pieces of art along the waterside that fascinated him, an array of the numerous flower beds nestled beside the lake made excellent foreground colour to the water and mountains beyond, and the famous Freddie Mercury statue, the icon of Montreux. It then occurred to him to take some of the Château de Chillon but he preferred to have some images from different angles to add variation. As an idea came to mind, he took out his phone he texted Gina.

***

‘I think that was your phone bleeping,’ said Adrienne as Gina entered the living room freshly showered and dressed but yawning.

Gina half-smiled, trying to muster up her energy. It was difficult without much sleep. Vivid images had returned disturbing her night again and playing havoc with her mind, not to mention her nerves. Her mouth dried at the thought of them. They repeatedly played in her head. It was the imprisoned woman crouched, grinding back and forth on her iron handcuff with a sharp rock or some similar object. The stone rhythmically filing into thick iron barely scratched the surface yet the screeching sound and movement was relentless. And, if that wasn’t enough, a foul odour wafted under her nose. Gina couldn’t help but feel something very eerie or sinister was going on and she was becoming seriously concerned.

‘I’ll check. I also need to get a flight booked for the morning. Why don’t you come back with me?’

‘I told you, I want to stay here.’

‘But, Mum, I really don’t want to leave you here alone. And, I might be able to arrange to see Daisy and Gracie, they will cheer you up, for sure.’

Reading the messages on her phone, Gina pursed her lips and widened her heavy eyes.

‘You look tired, Gina? Are you not sleeping very well?’

‘Mmm,’ she muttered distractedly. Then focusing her eyes on her mother she admitted, ‘Just having some weird dreams again. I’m sure it’s this altitude.’