Page 59 of A Riviera Retreat
‘I hope you like Amy’s present,’ Vicky said. ‘When I saw it, I couldn’t resist it, but if either of you two don’t agree, I’m happy to keep it for myself and we can find something else. We don’t have much time though.’ She opened the bag and took the boxed book out.
Matilda picked it up and smiled as she saw the title. ‘It’s perfect. Amy will love it.’
‘Gosh, that is amazing. How lucky to find something so… so just right.’ Chelsea added her delight.
Vicky sighed with relief as she took a pen out of her pocket. ‘We can all sign the card and I’ll wrap it up with the book later.’
As Matilda wrote her message and signed her name inside the card, Chelsea said, ‘You did both mean it last night about keeping in touch when we leave?’
‘Definitely,’ Vicky said. ‘I was thinking you might like to come to London for a weekend sometime? Suzie could take you to all the in places.’
‘Sounds good. And when your book is published, we’ll all come to the launch and cheer.’
‘If it ever happens,’ Vicky said. ‘We’ll have had several meet-ups before then.’
‘I hope you’ll both come and visit me in my new home,’ Matilda said.
‘I’ll be a regular visitor, Tilly, you’ll probably get fed up with me,’ Chelsea smiled. ‘I’m the only one who can’t invite either of you to stay. I only have a tiny flat and I’m not even sure how long I’ll be able to afford that now.’
‘In a few years, we’ll both be celebrating with you when you’re a famous chef with your own TV series,’ Vicky said.
Chelsea sighed. ‘You know, I’m not sure I want to be famous. I just like feeding people with good food. Maybe I’ll find a house by the seaside and run a B & B. A retreat like this would be wonderful but…’ she shrugged. ‘I don’t have that kind of money. I know Dad would help, but I’d rather do it independently.’
‘Keep dreaming and working towards that,’ Matilda said. ‘Life’s upsets often have unexpected consequences.’
Vicky stood up and picked up the book and card. ‘Talking of life and its upsets, I have one right now to sort out. Anthony and I are off to spend the day in Monaco and hopefully to talk rationally about the future. Wish me luck. Enjoy your last day here. I’ll see you both tonight.’
Matilda and Chelsea watched her go before they stood up and prepared to follow her along the path.
‘I need to check something in the kitchen for tonight’s barbecue and then I’d like to have a quick swim before we walk down to your new villa,’ Chelsea said. ‘Is that okay?’
‘I can’t wait to show it to you.’ Matilda smiled at her. ‘I’m so excited.’
* * *
Back in her room, showering and getting ready to meet Chelsea, Matilda thought about the day ahead – her sixty-second birthday.
Her sixtieth birthday had been the last time she’d really celebrated the day. William had been alive then and he’d treated her to dinner and an evening performance ofA Midsummer Night’s Dreamat The Theatre Royal. Matilda loved that theatre in the heart of old Bristol and it had been a wonderful evening. It turned out to be their last theatre outing together – five short weeks later William was dead. Matilda hadn’t been near the theatre since.
Josh made sure he was home for her birthday last year and had taken her out for dinner to a new restaurant, one that didn’t hold any memories for her, and did his best to make the occasion a happy one. And she’d tried, really she had, to accept that this was the way birthdays would be from now on, just the two of them, but it had been hard. Although she’d enjoyed Josh’s company, he’d realised the evening was proving to be a difficult one for her and they’d returned to the flat early.
A year on though and things were different. She was definitely in a better place for this birthday – both mentally and physically. She was in France, with three new friends who didn’t even know it was her birthday, and Josh was away working for Sea Shepherd somewhere off the coast of Greenland. The most she could expect was a phone call from him later today and a celebratory get-together when he returned home. Something she decided she was fine with. Like her, he had his own life to lead.
Life without William at her side had taken some getting used to during the lonely, despairing months after his death, but she knew deep inside that her new future in France would be one worth celebrating. Hopefully, Josh would be happy about her selling up in England and moving to France. The photos she’d taken of number eight were still sitting on her iPad along with the draft email she’d written to him. She’d been too tired last night to sort through the photos and choose the best ones to send. Instead, she’d decided she’d wait until she was home at the weekend and could go through everything carefully before sending.
Thinking about home reminded her. She’d also have to break the news to Sheila that she was leaving. She wouldn’t be about to start a new life in France if Sheila hadn’t entered her name in Amy’s generous competition and won her the holiday. It had literally been a life-changing event. Once she was settled in at number eight, she’d insist Sheila came for a holiday. It was the only way she could repay her for being so kind and thoughtful.
After she’d dressed, Matilda applied the small amount of make-up she wore these days – foundation, eyeliner and a soft pink lipstick – before reaching into the wardrobe and pulling out her new leather jacket. Today would be a good day to wear it for the first time. Slipping it on, she smiled. She loved everything about this jacket – the colour, the soft leather, the styling, even the smell. ‘Happy Birthday to me,’ she whispered. ‘The beginning of a new year. The rest of my life starts now.’
Stepping out of the French doors onto the terrace ready to walk down to meet Chelsea, she saw a man coming along the path towards her. Matilda blinked. If she didn’t know better she could have sworn that it was her son walking towards her, but that was impossible. Wasn’t it?
‘Mum, there you are. Amy said I’d find you here,’ Josh said, before he engulfed her in a bearlike hug.
‘Josh! What a wonderful surprise. What are you doing here?
‘What d’you think? It’s your birthday. I managed to organise some time off. So, Happy Birthday. Where are you off to looking so smart?’ he said, stepping back and looking at her. ‘New jacket?’
‘Chelsea and I are walking down to see a villa and, yes, the jacket is new,’ Matilda answered. ‘Anyway, never mind that. Where are you staying? How much leave have you got?’
