Monaco Jet Set Chronicles

Charlotte and Stephanie were laughing quietly in the drawing room, with only one light coming from the small lamp that Charlotte had switched on when she came in. (They were containing their noise level because of their acute awareness that baby Camille was upstairs sleeping.) Still, a couple of drinks of Caipirinha each had relaxed them quite well, and they were laid up on Steph's huge black leather "L" sofa, shoes off, wrapped in knit blankets.

Steph: Oh Charley, I'm so devastated for you. I can't imagine... Who would've ever thought Thierry Rozier who behaved so callously? I saw the pictures of you together at this and that and I thought he seemed like a wonderful man. But I know the feeling. I thought Daniel was a wonderful man too. And he is a good father, but he just can't keep his trousers up, you know?

Charlotte laughed. "Oui, Je sais. You won't tell Maman, will you?"

"Of course not, Charley, but I think YOU should tell her. At the very least, so that she can find someone to replace Thierry as your coach. Surely you don't want him to continue being your coach?"

"Heavens no."

"Well, then you must tell my sister. She has a right to know what kind of man Thierry is."

"That's true."

"Well, darling," said Stephanie, sitting up. "I think you should get back to the palace, try to get some sleep, ey?"

"All right, thank you, Tatie."

"Let me buzz Gary. He'll drive you back."

So Steph contacted her driver, who immediately answered he’d be most pleased to drive Mademoiselle Casiraghi to the Palais Princier. Aunt and niece waited for a few moments until the car was showing and the front door

Char: Au revoir Tatie, merci! Steph: Thank YOU for the visit! Char: Tatie Steph... Steph: Dis, ma nièce? Char: We ARE going to see each other more often, aren't we? Steph: Of course. Listen, how long are ya staying in Monaco? Char: The whole week Steph: Come around one of these nights, or afternoons. Pauley and Louie will love seeing you. Char: OK... and Camille, I didn’t get to see her tonight! Steph: That’s right... and she DOES remember you Pomeline! She'll love seeing you. I'll ring our mum and say come over, and Alexandra too. Char: You're the best, Tatie Steph! Steph: No dear, you are!

Char went into the car, happy about Steph's comprehensiveness and undecided if she should still talk to Andrea. Well, she thought, even if she wasn't going to tell him about all the mess, it would still be good to step by and kiss her dear brother goodnight. He made her feel safe. Plus she wanted some gossip on his own love life, which she hadn’t heard news of for quite some time now.

Charlotte is in the back of the Mercedes-Benz that Gary, Stephanie's driver, is driving. Charlotte is exhausted and the relaxing affects of the alcohol are now making her more sleepy. Her phone rings. It is inside her Chanel purse, which is still dusty from her fall from Thierry's car. She takes the phone out of the purse.

"Hallo?"

"Charley, it's Thierry."

"Thierry, what do you want? I told you, I never want to see you again. I'm speaking to Maman in the morning. We're going to find a new coach."

"Charley, please don't. I'm so sorry. I behaved appallingly. Please give me another chance."

"Thierry, I'm exhausted and I'm furious with you. You treated me like a prostitute, like a prize, a piece of meat. Good night, Thierry. It's over."

She replaced her phone in her purse and began to cry. The car came to a stop in front of the family entrance to the palace.

Charlotte thanked Gary for the ride and sent her love back to Steph and the kids. After she was out of the car, Gary shut the door behind her and was about to get back inside the car behind the wheel when Charlotte said his name again...

"Oui Mademoiselle?"

"Gary... Please don't forget to remind my aunt that I love her... a lot."

Gary smiled. "Mademoiselle, Her Serene Highness, your aunt, knows very well that you adore her. But I won't forget to remind her, I promise. Good night, princess."

Charlotte smiled. She liked it when Gary and other servants called her princess. It was sweet. "Bon soir, Gary." Charlotte turned back to the palace. Gary got in the Mercedes and drove away.

At the door, it hit Charlotte. Shit, she didn't have a key. Damn, what if she woke someone up, how rude.