Page 71 of A Riviera Retreat
‘I told you, there’s no rush. I’m just sorry for you after all the hard work that the business has gone the way it has.’
‘No guarantees in life – isn’t that what you’ve always told me?’ She glanced at Amy. ‘Have to admit I’m looking forward to being an employee again with no paperwork or VAT to do in the evenings.’
‘That can always be arranged if you miss it too much,’ Amy laughed. ‘I hate it too.’
Chelsea shook her head. ‘No thanks. I’m going to get another small slice of cake, either of you want some more?’
Both Amy and Simon declined and Chelsea made her way across to the table where the remains of the food were. She helped herself to the smallest slice of cake she could see and had just taken a bite when Josh appeared at her side.
‘Thank you for making Mum a cake,’ he said quietly. ‘She really appreciated you taking the trouble. So you’re coming back to work here this summer.’ He topped up his wine glass with some water.
Chelsea, her mouth full of cake, could only smile and nod at him while she chewed and quickly swallowed.
‘I’ve promised to help Mum move, which she seems to think will be around October November time. You likely to still be here then?’
‘Depends on Amy’s bookings, I guess,’ Chelsea said. ‘Could be back in Bristol by then living with dad. If he isn’t living over here,’ she added, glancing back to where Simon and Amy, chatting together, were clearly oblivious to everyone around them.
‘How d’you feel about that?’ Josh asked quietly.
‘I thought I’d find it strange if Dad did ever meet someone new after Mum died, but I’m actually very happy for them both. Amy’s lovely and Dad, well, Dad deserves to be happy again,’ Chelsea said. ‘I hope things work out between them. Long distance relationships can be difficult.’
‘That’s true,’ Josh agreed thoughtfully. ‘I’ll just go and check on Mum. See if she wants anything else.’ He walked away before Chelsea could answer.
The rest of the evening passed in a blur of conversation, laughter and friendship for everyone. The solar lights around the pool and garden were glowing and the underwater lights were illuminating the pool as Vicky started to collect plates to return them to the kitchen. Matilda smiled as she saw Pierre making his way over to her as she stood chatting to Josh.
‘Thank you for coming this evening,’ Matilda said. ‘And for the strawberry tree plant for number eight. I can’t wait to see where in the garden you’ve planted it when I return.’
Pierre smiled. ‘I am thankful you like.’
‘I have so much to be grateful to you for,’ Matilda said softly. ‘Showing me number eight and encouraging me to start a new life down here on the Cote d’Azur, to name but two.’
‘I am looking forward to seeing you ’appy in your new life,’ Pierre answered. ‘Now, I say au revoir until you return and we become neighbours. Tomorrow will be busy for me.’ And to Matilda’s surprise, he leant in to kiss her in typical Provençal fashion on both cheeks.
‘Au revoir, Pierre. See you soon,’ Matilda responded, watching as he shook Josh by the hand before turning and leaving.
As Pierre walked away, Matilda noticed Josh looking at her quizzically.
‘What?’
Josh shook his head. ‘Nothing. He seems a nice man.’
‘He is. And very kind. I hope the two of you are going to get on.’
‘Is it important for me to like and get on with him?’ Josh asked, with a strange look on his face.
‘Of course it is,’ Matilda said. ‘We’re going to be neighbours.’
She suspected the real question Josh wanted to ask was did she really like him? A question she didn’t yet fully know the answer to herself. All she knew currently was that she was looking forward to getting to know Pierre better when she moved to France and they became neighbours.
Amy, standing by the edge of the pool watching everyone slowly drift away at the end of the evening, instinctively leant against Simon when he tentatively put his arm around her shoulders. What a day this had turned out to be.
‘You okay?’ he asked.
‘Tired. Been a long day.’
‘You’ll be able to relax tomorrow when everyone is gone,’ Simon said.
‘Mmm,’ Amy said thoughtfully, not bothering to mention all the bed changing she needed to do before the next guests arrived. Still, she could take her time with that.
