French Lessons Read Online Free PDF Page B

his neck. With the elderly couple in
the corner stifling laughter, and the maître d’ glaring openly, Charlie was in
absolutely no mood for any more. Did the little brat enjoy making a show of
herself in public? He couldn’t imagine that a man like Harry Walker would have
much truck with this type of behaviour. Especially at his own expense.
    “I’m
taking you back to your father’s yacht right now, Eleanor! I am staying at this
hotel and I would like to keep it that way. And I’m not having Harry Walker
think I landed his precious daughter in this state. It turns out he knows my
Uncle rather well. I will be explaining myself. As will you. Now come on!”
     
    With
that, Charlie grabbed Eleanor hard by the arm. Smiling in embarrassed apology
at Lefour, he marched her out of the bar and through the lobby. Giggling and
trying not to trip on her sandal heels, Eleanor did not resist. It was all such
fun! And there wasn’t a thing that Tamara could do about it. If the rest of the
holiday passed with as much excitement as today, then it would be the best of
her life.
    As
Charlie walked Eleanor as best he could along the gangway of the yacht, she
laughed and skipped up and down. Her father and Tamara were seated on top deck.
Fabien was pouring them a cognac. The sea was a glass–like, perfect calm
and the last of the seagulls soared above the Palais on the horizon. Harry
screwed up his eyes in the last of the daylight. He looked at his daughter,
puzzled, and stood up.
    “Eleanor?
Darling? Are you OK?”
    “Oh
yes, Daddy! I feel just simply marvellous!” Her words slurred slightly as
Charlie held on to her elbow.
    “Who
are you? Qui?” Harry barked at the young man, assuming him to be local.
    Charlie
held out his hand, his reply well–rehearsed.
    “Charles
Hetherington, sir. I’m English. Jack Hetherington’s nephew. I am staying at The
Grand on holiday. I met your daughter earlier today. Then I came across her in
the Riviera Bar ten minutes ago. It would appear she has been er, rather
enjoying their finest champagne.”
    “What?”
Harry was aghast. He could not take his eyes of his daughter, the shoulder of
her dress slipping down her arm.
    Eleanor
freed herself from Charlie.
    “She’s
drunk,” Tamara said quietly.
    Eleanor
danced clumsily across the deck in front of them all.
    “Oh
do shut up you old bag! What’s it to you?” she waved a hand in Tamara’s face as
she walked past her. Tamara looked deeply hurt, still astonished at Eleanor’s
behaviour.
    Harry
was open–mouthed in rage, as he watched his daughter make towards the
diving ladder at the side of the yacht. There was frozen horror all around, as
Fabien and a stewardess moved tentatively after her.
    “Get
back here! Eleanor–Jane Walker! How dare you speak to my wife in that
way! And you are filthy drunk! You’ve done it this time, you little brat!”
Harry’s face was deep red in anger. Eleanor ignored her father. To the combined
horror of all in view, she started to climb up on the yacht’s sidings.
    Charlie
made to run after her, but Harry stepped in.
    “You!”
Harry caught the young man by the arm. “Are you the reason my daughter is drunk
out of her mind?”
    Deeply
annoyed, Charlie was determined not to lose his own resolve. As Tamara watched
Eleanor in increasing fear, her slim legs now parading shakily along towards
the diving ladder, he rounded on Walker.
    “No
sir. I most certainly am not. Your daughter was several drinks down when I
arrived back at The Grand. I believe she used your checking card to order. I happen
to stay at that hotel regularly, and would have no wish to be a part of any
drunken antics in public. And I might add that given your daughter’s mouth, she
is most unlikely ever to be welcomed back there again. She was impossibly rude
to all in earshot.”
    “What?”
Harry bellowed. He knew the staff at The Grand all too well. This would be
talked about. That Harry Walker’s head had been so turned by his