La Belle

Chapter 1

The Beginning

“Fantastic”, Cher exclaimed as she flipped through the advertisement pamphlet for the third time that day, the lapis lazuli paper, showed a large manor, in the French countryside, ‘European courses for Students in the beautiful country of France’.

“Too right it’s fantastic Cher, a week of sun, French food, and of course la belle French fellas” Jessica Stanford replied, flicking her blonde hair and smiling at her best friend.

Cher Forsyth a stunning girl of seventeen shot her friend a seductive glance, “My dear, the French fella’s won’t know what’s hit them” she said with a laugh.

The European French course, was a trip being run by Cher’s school, both Jessica and Cher had paid to go the second they had heard about the trip, a week in the French countryside, with sun and sight seeing, the only fly in the ointment would have to be the day courses they would have to study in the manor, and of course in the French tongue, Cher’s only problem with this was that her French was appalling, all in all it was absolute rubbish, she despised speaking French but she loved the world of France, and above all she loved Daniel Robertson.

Robertson Residence

Daniel Robertson slammed his suitcase shut in anguish. “God Damn thing won’t shut Bev!” he yelled across the room at his wife, who was zipping her case up with ease.

“Now Danny, that should be me having trouble, because I have, as you so kindly put it, enough clothes to dress Africa” Beverly Robertson laughed at her husband, who currently was sitting on top of his case pounding the canvas with his fist.

“You do have enough clothes to dress Africa”, he shouted back at her, laughing in spite of himself.

“Well, tell me why I can close my case and you can’t?” Beverly asked, now brushing her hair in the mirror.

“I have to plan for all occasions” Daniel said straightening his glasses as he finally managed to get the canvas bag half way shut.

“I don’t think going drinking every night with Craig in a French discotechque counts as preparing for all occasions” Beverly said looking at her husbands many shirts, ties and trousers.

“Not every night Beverly, just six out of the seven” Danny said grabbing his wife around the waist.

“Oh really what about the first night” Beverly asked holding Danny’s hand.

“That night, I’ll stay in the bar”, Daniel laughed and ruffled his wife’s hair, then jumped on his case again, preparing himself mentally for the long journey, on a train with a group of students and his wife all the way to France.

“Hey”, Danny said lightly “you don’t fancy flying do you?”

Beverly looked at him ironically,

“No they serve booze on planes” was her reply.

Paragon station 4.00 am

The train station, was blindingly light for the early hour, however bright, the fact that the place was practically empty, gave away the time of day.

“IM bloody soaking” Cher said to no one in particular, outside a thunderstorm raged the rain tippled down in sheets; thunder crashed around the train station, Cher hoped the weather would clear before they hit Dover and the ferry. Jessica hated the ferry Cher noted with amusement, it made her sick; she doubted her friend would fall in love with a ferry in a storm.

Other students mingled around Cher as she waited for the staff to arrive, Cher’s parents had dropped her off early, they were fanatical about time, and were incredibly worried their daughter would be late and miss the train.

“Hey Cher, great morning for it” a tall dark haired boy said to Cher who was staring at a closed shop longingly.

“Great morning for what Ivan” Cher asked smiling naughtily at him.

Ivan Doherty laughed, he was part Russian and a terrible flirt, not the sort of man Cher would consider looking at twice let alone flirting with, yet here she was making improper suggestions to the boy.

“Travel of course, why, what did you have in mind?” Ivan said.

“Well I” Cher stopped talking as she spotted a figure dragging a canvas bag into the station followed by a red haired woman. Daniel Robertson had just walked in with his wife Beverly Robertson. Danny was a tall man, with blonde hair and square glasses, he had an astounding personality and brilliant character, Cher adored him, even in the company of his wife, he was gorgeous, and at this moment soggy, rain dripped from his glasses, to Cher it was an amusing sight.

“Hey Mr Robertson” Cher said going over to see the teacher, who she spoke to every day without fail.

Ivan looked on as Cher walked away from him, his face showed clear dismay, but Cher hadn’t noticed, Ivan had watched as normal Cher disappeared and obsessed Cher showed her side, leaving him alone talking to himself.

“Good morning Cher” Danny said smiling a huge smile at the sight of his favourite student; she looked pretty even at four in the morning, although he didn’t communicate this fact.

“How are you” he asked politely, Beverly had come up to his side and was smiling brightly at Cher.

“Hello Cher, all ready for French excitement” Beverly asked her.

“Oh certainly Mrs Robertson” Cher smiled, her insides burning at the sight of Daniel’s wife.

“Great” Beverly said “I’ll just go to the bathroom dear” she said to Daniel, who was looking for Craig Hamlin, his colleague and best friend.

“OK Sweetheart”, Daniel said and turned his attention back to Cher.

“Now how are you Sweetie”, Daniel asked again.

“Fine thanks, although I’m not too fond of this early hour,” Cher replied rubbing her eyes.

“I’m feeling you there”, Danny said, unaware of how dodgy the comment sounded.

Cher laughed at that but chose not to say anything.

“Great, are you ready, me you Beverly and the rest of the rabble on a French vacation”, Danny laughed.

“Yes, me you and Beverly” Cher said, trying to keep the bitterness from her voice.

Daniel looked at Cher, had he understood her tone correctly, he was about to ponder this thought a moment longer when Beverly came back dragging with her Craig Hamlin.

“Morning Craig” Daniel said, “Ready to go down the disco”,

Daniel surveyed his friend, Craig was a short man, with black curls and a prominent nose, his cagoule showed his small lack of fashion sense, but his practicality was showing in vitality.

“Hello Daniel, Beverly and Cher” Craig said, the last name he said with distaste, Craig did not look Cher in the eyes, he could not, he just didn’t trust the girl, he couldn’t trust her as far as he could throw her, and when wearing a cagoule that was not very far.

Cher did not reply, instead she saw Jessica dragging herself through the door, looking bewildered and surprised at the lights and large group of people.

“Jess” she yelled, without excusing herself reluctantly leaving Daniel with his people while she went to hers.

“What bloody time do you call this, it’s the crack of dawn, and look your all bushy and happy and oh, look lover boy, there’s no surprise” Jessica said slightly grumpy, looking over in Mr Robertson’s direction.

“Shh mouth, his wife’s over there, and he’ll hear you” Cher said grabbing her friend who shook her off.

“Ha, come on Cher, he probably knows, I mean nearly everyone knows you fancy the pants off him, get over it” Jessica said.

“Not just the pants darl” Cher said, both giggled evilly at this comment, as the teachers shouted them over to board the train to Dover.