Page 91 of The Riviera House Swap

‘Antoine!’ she said, putting her hand over her mouth. ‘You… you…’

He was grinning. ‘Ah, it is a bad thing,’ he said. ‘I know. To do this. But then he is a bad man, no. And he treated you dirty. So maybe it is time he cleans up his act.’

‘But…’ she said, turning in the seat to see Pierre, still staring after the truck. ‘You…’ and then she felt it, the delicious, bubbly feeling of laughter rising inside her.

Antoine heard her make a noise and glanced at her. Then, seeing her laugh, began to laugh too. It was a hysterical, awful, wonderful type of laughter and within it, she felt all the stress, all the pros and cons lists, all the ups and downs of her journey, all her agony over her decisions melt away. She was completely lost in a moment of wonderful, terrible joy.

When she’d recovered, she put a hand on Antoine’s arm. ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘I mean, it was awful thing to do. But –oh my God– it feltsogood to see him covered like that!’

‘Avec plaisir, madame,’ he said, with a wink.

Back at Jean-Luc’s, having retrieved the key from Antoine once again, she wrote a quick email to Jemima, advising her that she would no longer be working for Hamish and Co. with immediate effect. She thought of sending an email to Jean-Luc, but then what would she tell him? She wasn’t going to be staying in his home another night. This was just a pit stop.

Another email had arrived in the time it had taken to drive halfway to the airport and back – with the added delay of a flat tyre. From the solicitor. It confirmed that exchange had gone through and completion of the property was now fixed for two weeks’ time. She’d spoken to her parents and her dad had promised that he’d talk to his friend’s removal firm to arrange the storage and collection of the rest of her things.

An email response had arrived almost instantly from Jemima, but she decided to ignore it for now; she knew how susceptible she was and didn’t trust herself not to apologise and get on the next plane home immediately.

Instead, she picked up the phone and called Sabine.

Bess

You’re what?

Nina

Yep.

Sal

Wow, that’s amazing. Go you!

Bess

Are you sure you haven’t been drinking or something? *winking emoji*

Nina

No, but maybe I should start! I know, it’s a bit much isn’t it. But I thought, it’s kind of now or never.

Bess

Honey, I think you’ve proved it’s never now or never. It’s now or later. I think you’re doing the right thing for what it’s worth.

Sal

Oh God, definitely.

Bess

Don’t listen to her, though. She’s too loved up to think clearly.

Nina

Haha – I won’t. I’m listening to my gut from now on.

Bess

Ooh, what is it saying?

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