86 87
“Not even about anything I said?”
David took a drink of the wine and said, “No. I haven’t thought about it.”
She stood up and looked into the wind so that it blew her sweater against her breasts and whipped her hair and then she looked down at him with her black brown face and smiled. She turned around then and looked out toward the sea that was flattened and wrinkled by the wind.
“Let’s go get the papers in Cannes and read them in the cafe,” she said.
“You want to show off.”
“Why shouldn’t I? It’s the first time we’ve been out together. Do you mind if we do?”
“NC), Devil. Why would I?”
“I didn’t want to if you didn’t.”
“You said you wanted to.”
“I want to do what you want. I can’t be more compliant than that can I?”
“Nobody wants you to be compliant.”
“Can we stop it? All I wanted to be was good today. Why spoil everything?”
“Let’s clean up here and go.
“Where?”
“Anywhere. The god damn cafe.”
They bought the papers in Cannes and a new French Vogue, the Chasseur Francais and the Miroir des Sports and sat at a table in front of the cafe out of the wind and read and had their drinks and were friends again. David drank Haig pinch bottle and Perrier and Catherine had Armagnac and Perrier.
Two girls who had driven up and parked on the street came over to the cafe and sat down and ordered a Chambery Cassis and a fine a l’eais. It was the beauty of the two who took the brandy and soda.
“Who are those two?” Catherine said. “Do you know?”
“I’ve never seen them.”
“I have. They must live around here somewhere. I saw them in Nice.”
“The one girl’s handsome,” David said. “She has fine legs too.”
‘They’re sisters,” Catherine said. “They’re both nice looking really.”
“But the one’s a beauty. They’re not Americans.”
The two girls were arguing and Catherine said to David, “It’s a big row, I think.”
“How did you know they were sisters?”
“I thought they were in Nice. Now I’m not sure. The car has Swiss plates.”
“It’s an old Isotta.”
“Should we wait and see what happens? We haven’t seen any drama for a long time.”
“I think it’s just a big Italian row.
“It must be getting serious because it’s quieter.”
“It will flare up. The one is a damned handsome girl.”
“Yes, she is. And here she comes over.
David stood up.
“I’m sorry,” the girl said in English. “Please forgive me. Please sit down,” she said to David.
‘Will you sit down?” Catherine asked.
“I shouldn’t. My friend is furious with me. But I told her you would understand. You will forgive me?”
“Should we forgive her?” Catherine said to David.
“Let’s forgive her.”
88 89
“I knew you would understand,” the girl said. “It’s only to tell me where you had your hair cut.” She blushed. “Or is it like copying a dress? My friend said it was more offensive.”
“I’ll write it down for you,” Catherine said.
“I’m very ashamed,” the girl said. “You’re not offended?”
“Of course not,” Catherine said. “Would you have a drink with us?”
“I shouldn’t. May I ask my friend?”
She went back to her table for a moment and there was a short and vicious low-pitched exchange.
“My friend regrets very much but she cannot come over,” the girl said. “But I hope we will meet again. You have been so very kind.”
“How about that?” Catherine said when the girl had gone back to her friend. “For on a windy day.”
“She’ll be back to ask where you had your slacks cut.” The row was still going on at the other table. Then the two of them stood up and came over.
“May I present my friend the—”
“I am Nina.”
“Our name is Bourne,” David said. “How very pleasant of you to join us.
“You were very nice to let us come over,” the handsome one said. “It was an impudent thing to do.” She blushed.
“It’s very flattering,” Catherine said. “But he’s a very good coiffeur.”