Page 30 of Meet Me at Sunset

‘Oh, which company?’ Stephanie asked.

Isobel hesitated, a closed look crossing her face. ‘It doesn’t matter. Honestly, you should have heard the way Elle spoke to Lucas, it was awful. I don’t know how he puts up with—’

Isobel broke off as she heard Camille calling for silence, tapping her champagne glass. The music was turned down to a low background hum, and a hush rippled across the beach as everyone turned to look at Camille, who looked radiant in the white sundress from her latest collection.

‘I won’t keep you too long – everyone looks to be having so much fun that I hate to disturb you all,’ she smiled, as the crowd laughed. ‘But I do have two pieces of business that I need to attend to – I promise they’re not dull,’ she added, as everyone groaned good-naturedly. ‘Firstly, I want to thank you all so much for coming here to celebrate with us – a world first for Camille Andre, as it’s our debut collaboration with another powerhouse label. I’m thrilled to be working with American Athletics, and I’d like to introduce you all to Nicolas Martin, who’s here to represent the brand,’ she added, nodding at a man standing nearby. ‘He’s been a great friend to me over the years, and I’m overjoyed that we’re finally bringing our two great companies together.

‘Secondly,’ she continued, following applause and a smattering of cheers. ‘I am beyond excited to announce that we have a new ambassador for Camille Andre. She’s going to be the new face of our campaign, and I couldn’t think of anyone better. You all know her, of course, but I’m delighted to introduce you to … Catherine Zeta-Jones!’

The crowd went wild, applauding and whooping, as Catherine stepped up to stand beside Camille, and Michael watched her proudly. ‘Thank you all so much,’ she began. ‘I’m so honoured to have been invited to be an ambassador for a brand I truly love …’

As Catherine began to speak, Stephanie’s attention was taken by Paulo. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed him slip away from the crowd, hugging the edge of the beach along the tree line where the shadows had lengthened as the sun began to set. Glancing around, she noticed a small speedboat approaching the island; it was some distance away, and everyone else had their backs to it. Pushing her sunglasses on top of her head so she could see more clearly, Stephanie squinted and watched as Paulo waded out into the shallows to greet the sole occupant of the boat. Paulo spoke briefly to him, pulling a bag from his shorts and handing it over. It looked as though the man gave him something in return, which Paulo pocketed, before the speedboat pulled away, skimming across the water which had turned golden in the setting sun. Then Paulo strode back towards the crowd and Stephanie quickly turned away, joining in with the applause as Catherine finished speaking and Camille took over once again.

‘Now please enjoy the wonderful feast my son has prepared. And if you enjoy it, visit his restaurant, Il Paradiso,’ she couldn’t resist adding, as the buoyant crowd laughed and cheered.

‘Well, I didn’t see that coming,’ Isobel commented.

‘Catherine kept it a secret from me too,’ Stephanie laughed. ‘But isn’t it wonderful? She’s the perfect fit for Camille Andre – they’re both so chic and glamorous.’

‘Yes, aren’t they just.’

Stephanie detected something tight in Isobel’s tone, but didn’t push it any further.

‘Let’s go and get some of Lucas’s paella,’ Isobel suggested changing the subject. ‘It smells incredible.’

Stephanie hesitated. After what Isobel had just told her about Elle being jealous, she thought it would be best to steer clear. But then she noticed that whilst Lucas was handing out delicious-looking bowls of rice, Elle appeared to be making a beeline for Camille, a furious look on her face as she stalked across the sand.

Stephanie nudged Isobel, nodding in Elle’s direction. ‘She doesn’t look too happy,’ she murmured.

‘When does she?’ Isobel replied with a giggle. The two women watched curiously as Elle stalked over to Camille, who was standing with Catherine and Michael as a gaggle of guests offered their congratulations.

Elle rudely pushed through the middle of them, marching straight up to Camille. ‘I can’t believe you did that to me,’ Elle raged. She was speaking in French, and Isobel hastily translated for Stephanie.

Camille looked utterly shocked at Elle’s interruption. She blinked twice, as though trying to work out what was happening. ‘Did what? I don’t understand.’

‘You knew how much I wanted to be the face of Camille Andre,’ Elle began, her eyes blazing, her words slurred. Stephanie wondered how much she’d had to drink. ‘And then you go and humiliate me like this by giving it to someone else behind my back. She’s not even French!’ Elle finished, sounding outraged, looking at Catherine as though she were something she’d found on the bottom of her shoe.

Camille’s lips tightened into a thin line, her eyes narrowing. Stephanie glanced over at Lucas, but he was too busy dishing up the paella and hadn’t noticed what was happening.

‘I’m so sorry,’ Camille apologized to Catherine and Michael. ‘Do excuse me for one moment. I have something I need to deal with.’ Camille was clearly livid. Elle had evidently had too much to drink, her voice loud, her actions sloppy. She was a mess, and people were turning to look, a scandalized whisper rippling through the crowd.

Camille went to put a hand on Elle’s arm, to lead her away, and Elle reacted as though she’d been burned. ‘Don’t touch me,’ she hissed. ‘Get your hands off me.’

‘Come with me,’ Camille said firmly, a dangerous edge to her voice. ‘And don’t you dare make a scene.’

Stephanie glanced over and saw that Nicolas had stepped into Camille’s place, laughing and chatting with Catherine and Michael, smoothing things over with the other guests.

Meanwhile Lucas’s girlfriend was staring at Camille defiantly, arms crossed, her eyebrows raised in a challenge. When they were a suitable distance from the others, but still within Stephanie’s earshot, Camille began to speak, this time in English. It seemed she finally had the opportunity to tell Elle exactly what she thought of her, and she didn’t hold back. Stephanie wondered if Camille was speaking in English to deliberately chastise Elle in public view; a window into that famous steel she was known for?

‘How dare you speak to me and my guests like that! Thinking you could be the face of Camille Andre. Are you deluded? You’re only at this party because you’re dating my son – certainly not on your own merits. Of course I wouldn’t let you represent my business. Camille Andre is synonymous with style and elegance, and Catherine Zeta-Jones is a world-famous, supremely talented, international star. You …’ Camille looked her up and down disparagingly. ‘… are not.’

‘Take a day off from being a bitch, Camille,’ Elle drawled, rolling her eyes. ‘It’s getting boring.’

By now, everyone had become aware of the scene taking place further down the beach, and there was seemingly nothing Nicolas could do to stop them watching.

Stephanie saw Lucas look up too, an expression of horror crossing his face as he instantly forgot about the food and ran across the sand. ‘What’s going on?’

‘Lucas, get your girlfriend out of here,’ Camille spat. ‘She’s making a show of herself. This is disgraceful, I should never have invited her in the first place.’