Page 42 of A Riviera Retreat
‘Sorry, it looks like I’m too late tonight to help,’ Vicky said when she walked into the kitchen minutes later.
Chelsea had everything under control and was just putting a few aperitifs on a plate.
‘Can you take these out to the terrace please,’ Chelsea said. ‘Amy’s out there already. I’ll bring the rest.’
Amy was talking on her phone as Vicky put the plate on the table. ‘No worries. We’ll see you when you get back.’ She clicked her mobile closed. ‘That was Matilda saying she might be late for dinner tonight and not to wait for her. Pierre is apparently whisking her off to the village for some reason.’
‘Dinner will be another hour anyway,’ Chelsea said. ‘She might be back by then.’
‘I hope she’ll be here in time. This will be the last evening it will be just the four of us,’ Vicky said. ‘Anthony will be here tomorrow.’
‘I’ve never met an MP before,’ Chelsea said. ‘Is he frightfully grand?’
Vicky laughed. ‘No, he’s not. He can be a bit serious and earnest about things he believes in but he’s… he’s just normal really.’
‘I don’t want to worry anyone, but I think we’d better get indoors,’ Amy said. ‘The sky was blue just moments ago – now look at it.’
‘Looks like the end of the world is nigh – it’s so black,’ Vicky said, standing up and picking up the plates.
‘It might just be we’re in for some heavy rain,’ Amy said, collecting cushions from the chairs. ‘Although I can hear thunder rumbling around in the hills. Fingers crossed we’re not about to get one of our infamous flash floods.’
19
Pierre held the passenger car door open for Matilda. As she settled herself in and thanked him, Lola jumped on her lap. ‘Oh. Are you coming too?’ She looked at Pierre. ‘Is she allowed? Amy won’t worry if she can’t find her?’
Pierre shook his head. ‘It’s okay. Amy knows Lola often comes with me.’
‘Is there any point in me asking where you’re taking me?’ Matilda said as she stroked Lola.
Pierre shook his head. ‘Non. I’m hoping we arrive before the rain,’ he said, looking up at the darkening sky. He turned the car left onto the road leading to the village and a few minutes later turned left again into a small cul-de-sac that was more a lane than a proper road. A turfed island in the middle of the lane at the halfway point with a tall willow tree, its fronds bending and flying sideways as the wind increased, reminded Matilda of an English village green. Eight or ten typical Provençal villas with their painted yellow walls and blue shutters were set along the lane at various angles, gardens and hedges dividing them from each other.
Pierre drove slowly down the lane, giving Matilda time to look around. ‘All the gardens are so beautiful. Especially that one,’ she said, pointing to one. ‘What a lovely place,’ she said as Pierre turned onto the drive of the villa opposite the garden she’d admired. ‘Is this where you live?’
‘Non. It is the holiday home of an Italian cousin. He and his wife spent all their holidays for years renovating the place. These days, he rarely gets to visit, he’s so busy, and I keep an eye on it for him. Let’s get inside,’ and Pierre took a bunch of keys out of his pocket
Large drops of rain were falling as they got out of the car. Slowly at first and then quicker and harder as they ran up the drive towards the front door, Lola scampering ahead of them. Pierre pushed a key into the lock, opened the door and ushered Matilda inside.
The light and space inside the villa took Matilda’s breath away. It was so different to what she’d been expecting. White walls, curved arches, minimal furniture. The sitting room with its limed and distressed beams and three sets of French doors overlooked the garden and pool. Even with the rain now thundering down outside and the wind reaching gale force, the house felt cosy and secure. She walked through into the kitchen with its marble worktops, state-of-the-art Italian fixtures, some wonderful wall tiles and a scarlet fridge which should have jarred amongst all the pale colours but was somehow perfect.
Matilda turned to Pierre. ‘I know Italy is lovely, but if this were mine I ‘d want to live here forever. It’s a wonderful house. Your cousin has great taste too, in the way he’s decorated it.’
Pierre looked at her seriously for several seconds. ‘My cousin, he ’as the plan to sell the maison this summer. If you like, you can buy.’ A loud clap of thunder followed his remarks and they both turned to look out of the kitchen window as the rain hammered down even harder than before.
Stunned not only by his words but also at the ferocity of the storm now raging, Matilda gazed out at the garden, unable to speak. This beautiful house was up for sale. Could it be hers?
Pierre’s mobile rang. Answering it, he listened intently before swearing and closing it down. ‘Merde.’ He moved closer to a window and stared out before turning to Matilda. ‘That was Amy. There is already a flood on the road between here and Belle Vue. The drains are blocked and can’t cope with this deluge. The road is closed for the next hour at least until the pompiers pump it clear.’
‘So we are marooned here?’ Matilda said. ‘It doesn’t matter to me, but I hope you don’t have any plans for the evening?’
‘I promised to call in and see Olivia, but she’ll not be expecting me in this weather.’ He shrugged. ‘Fancy a coffee?’
‘Please. Your cousin won’t mind us helping ourselves? But may I take a look upstairs first?’
‘Feel free,’ Pierre said.
The wooden stairs had a gentle curve in them at the bottom and halfway up there was a landing almost the size of a room, with a small glass topped table on which a pottery vase containing silk flowers had been placed – three sunflowers and three poppies. Above the table, a leaded glass window with different shaped pieces of coloured glass – yellow, red, and green – complemented the colours of the flowers.
The hallway of the top floor was light and airy, thanks to four large skylights. Three double bedrooms, all en suite, and a family bathroom opened off the wide hallway. A smaller room with a single bed and wardrobe overlooking the side garden was a child’s bedroom with Disney characters painted over one wall.
