Page 10 of A Riviera Retreat
The kitchen, with its warm terracotta floor tiles, cream cupboards, granite work surface and yellow and blue tiles forming a colourful splash-back above the counters and behind the large range, was light and airy. A large refectory table stood in the middle of the room, a wicker bread basket containing a couple of croissants, pains au chocolat and a single almond slice, stood in the centre of it. Two long baguettes lay alongside. A dish of butter, pots of fig jam, honey and marmalade were clustered together with plates, mugs and cutlery. Lola, curled up in a basket alongside the range, thumped her tail in welcome but stayed where she was.
Pouring herself a coffee and helping herself to a pain au chocolat, Matilda sat at the table. Where was everybody? Was she the last to come for breakfast? She’d hoped to see one or two of the others there and share a companionable half hour or so discussing how they were all going to spend their day.
She’d almost finished her pain au chocolat, a delicious rare treat, when Chelsea arrived.
‘Morning, Matilda. Am I too late for a croissant or two?’
‘Still several in the basket – including a flaky almond one,’ Matilda said. ‘There’s coffee in the jug too.’
Chelsea shook her head. ‘I’m just hungry. Need some carbs before I go for another swim. You got any plans for today?’ she asked, taking a plate and putting a plain buttery croissant and the almond one on it.
‘As it’s our first day, I thought I’d explore the garden, sit by the pool, read. You know, generally take it easy. You?’
Chelsea, having just taken a large mouthful of croissant, the flakes of which were coating her lips, couldn’t answer for several seconds, then she said, ‘The same really, but I plan on having several swims too. Gosh, these are good,’ she said, before taking another large mouthful.
‘I’ll see you down by the pool after my walk then,’ Matilda said.
‘Okay. Ciao.’ And Chelsea was gone, but not before taking another croissant. ‘Elevenses,’ she said with a grin.
‘Ciao,’ Matilda echoed, smiling. She liked Chelsea. Felt they could be friends despite the age difference. The girl had clearly gone through a bad relationship recently, but Matilda sensed lurking under the surface was a real ‘girl next door’ who anyone would be proud to call a friend.
Chelsea had seen her struggling to manage both her stick and case at the airport and had instantly dashed over to help. Discovering they were both travelling to Belle Vue had been a delightful surprise. They’d chatted and got to know each other a little on the flight over. They both lived in Bristol – Chelsea across town in the less affluent district of Kingswood, compared to Matilda’s posh end of Clifton. Neither of them could believe they’d won the holiday.
Matilda finished her coffee and was eyeing the units under the work surface speculatively, wondering which of them housed the dishwasher, when Amy appeared.
‘Good morning. I hope you slept well? Join me for another coffee?’ she said, going to the machine. ‘Have you seen the others?’
‘Thank you,’ and Matilda pushed her cup over. ‘You’ve just missed Chelsea. She came for croissants, said she needed the carbs for her swim. I haven’t seen Vicky.’
‘I think Vicky’s already working on her laptop,’ Amy said. ‘D’you have any plans for today?’
‘I thought I’d have a wander around the gardens, if that’s all right with you,’ Matilda said. ‘I need to loosen up my ankle with some gentle exercise. Then I’ll sit by the pool and read until lunch.’
‘This is your home while you’re here. You’re free to wander wherever you want. Maybe some hydrotherapy would be helpful for your ankle if you don’t want to swim. Just sit on the edge and exercise your legs in the water. Did you bring a costume? If not, I keep a supply of spare ones for guests.’
‘Thanks. I did bring one, but to be honest I’m not that much of a swimmer.’ Matilda looked at Amy. ‘Which day are you planning for the Monaco outing?’
‘Not sure yet,’ Amy said. ‘Why?’
‘I’m thinking I’ll maybe give it a miss. I’m not sure my ankle will cope with too much walking. I remember a long hill and flights of steps leading up to the Palace. I wouldn’t want to hold you all up.’
‘You won’t,’ Amy said. ‘Wait and see how the ankle feels on the day we decide to go. You can always have a coffee at one of the pavement cafés and watch the boats.’
‘True. Right, I’m off to get my stick and explore your beautiful garden.’ As Lola stretched and walked towards her, Matilda bent down and scratched her head. ‘You coming to show me the way?’
Amy laughed. ‘That dog has her own itinerary. One that mainly includes finding Pierre wherever he is in the garden and being fed biscuits.’
7
After Matilda had left, Amy tidied the kitchen, happy that everyone appeared to be settling in. Hopefully, barriers would start to break down during the day and dinner this evening would be a more relaxed affair as they all started to bond and become friends.
Once the kitchen was tidy, Amy made her way to her bedroom, intent on doing her normal exercise routine at the barre in her room before catching up on some paperwork. She might not be a professional ballet dancer these days but she still adored dancing and was determined to stay as supple as possible for as long as possible.
She was checking through bookings for the retreat in August when her phone rang.
‘Hi, Mum,’ Amy said, pressing the speaker button. ‘How you doing?’
‘Fine. Dad and I were planning to come over sometime this summer. Any dates to avoid when you’re full?’
