Breaking the Rules

M had no words for her and, quite unexpectedly, did not know how to comfort this young woman who was utterly grief-stricken. After a while, M asked, ‘When did it happen? How did you find out about Frankie’s accident?’

Caresse, taking several deep breaths, focused on M, and explained. ‘Luke called me this morning. I just happened to be here, I usually come to make sure everything’s all right at the weekends. After Luke’s call from Nice, I called Alex to break the news about his father. Frankie brought him up – a single dad he was and good at it. Then I called you, M, because Frankie was so excited about discovering you … I just knew he’d want you to know that …’ She did not finish her sentence, just burst into tears.

Alex beckoned to M, who got up and hurried over to him.

He was standing with Larry near the small kitchen that opened off the studio. ‘I can explain a bit more to you,’ he said, looking at M and then at Larry. ‘The accident happened about six o’clock in the evening in France. Noon here. Today. Luke Hendricks called Caresse as soon as the police had been in touch with him, at the hotel where he and Dad were staying in Nice …’ He stopped all of a sudden, glanced away, swallowing, and once he had control of himself, he went on. ‘Apparently Dad was driving to Monte Carlo to have dinner with a French photographer he’d known for years. He had a … head-on crash … with a truck coming from the opposite direction. They were both killed, Dad and the other driver.’ Clearing his throat, blinking again, Alex now announced, ‘I think I’ll go and make some coffee. Okay?’

‘Yes, that would be great, Alex, thanks,’ Larry answered, and turning to M he put his arm around her and said, ‘Let’s go and sit over there. I’m absolutely positive Caresse needs to be alone for the moment to grieve quietly, and so does Alex, actually. He wants to have another weep, I think, but not in front of us. He’s trying to be very brave.’