Page 8 of A Riviera Retreat
Amy laughed. ‘Have as many baths as you like. Our water here is spring-fed, but there is no danger of us running out.’
‘You have no idea how happy that makes me,’ Vicky said, raising her glass. ‘Cheers.’
Matilda was the next to arrive. Without her stick, Amy noticed.
‘Not late, am I? I have to confess to falling asleep in that wonderfully comfortable chair in my room.’
‘No, you’re not late’ Amy said. ‘Glass of rosé or would you prefer something else?’
Matilda shook her head. ‘Rosé will be lovely. I always think of rosé as a wine that one should only drink in the heat of summer and preferably in the South of France. Both conditions of which are met here. Santé.’
Vicky, standing looking out over the garden, sighed. ‘It’s so beautiful here. I’ve only just arrived and I feel I never want to leave.’
‘You’re not the first to feel like that,’ Amy said. ‘Ah, Chelsea. Glass of wine?’
‘Umm, could I have something to nibble first please? Otherwise I think the wine will go straight to my head, it’s so long since I’ve eaten properly.’
‘Sure, help yourself,’ Amy said. ‘I always find swimming makes me hungry too. But do leave enough room for the lamb Olivia has roasted.’
While they enjoyed the nibbles and rosé, Amy started to explain a little about the retreat and her plans for the week.
‘I’m used to running retreats and courses here where everyone who comes usually has a shared interest with the people in the group. Having the three of you here, all strangers and probably with nothing in common, is a first for me. I’m hoping you all get on,’ and Amy smiled at them before taking a sip of her wine and continuing.
‘The eight rooms with names are the bedrooms – mine’s on the first floor and is the “Isadora Duncan”. Do please feel free to explore the rest of the house,’ Amy said. ‘Breakfast is a help yourself affair in the kitchen and you can eat in there, wander out here or eat on your own terrace. Pierre, the gardener, brings the fresh croissants and pains au chocolat up every morning from the village at about 7.30. I get lunch – usually bread, cheese, salad and charcuterie from the market, which is my limit, I’m no cook. If you’re going out independently for the day, just let me know. Olivia will come in to cook dinner every day unless we decide to eat out one evening.’
‘Sounds wonderful,’ Vicky said. ‘Having food bought, cooked and placed in front of me without me having to organise it. I’m not a very good cook either,’ she confessed, looking at Amy.
‘I’m happy to arrange a couple of days out if you’re interested?’ Amy said. ‘A group visit to Monaco? Antibes? Both are easily accessible from here. And, of course, Cannes is just down the road.’
‘I’d love to go to Monaco,’ Chelsea said. ‘And if you could introduce me to a millionaire that would be cool.’
‘I don’t think I know any,’ Amy laughed. ‘But we can certainly have a look around.’
‘I had a holiday with my husband and son in Antibes years ago,’ Matilda said. ‘If my ankle is strong enough, I’d enjoy another visit.’
‘Right. I’ll organise a day out to Monaco, followed by one to Antibes. I thought tomorrow could be a quiet day, let you settle in.’
Olivia appeared just then and placed their starters on the table before wishing everyone ‘Bon appetit’.
Over dinner, the four of them got to know a little bit more about each other. Matilda, having told them she had one son and had been a widow for nearly two years, said. ‘You and your husband, Vicky – what do you both do?’
‘Me – I’ve been a stay-at-home mum for years, but that is about to change. I want to write a novel.’ Vicky gave Amy a quick glance before adding, ‘As for my husband, he’s a civil servant.’
Amy looked at her and smiled. Well, that was one way of describing a politician without lying.
‘I run a small catering firm with my best friend, Elsie,’ Chelsea said. ‘And before anyone asks, I’m single but currently off men. Unless I meet a millionaire in Monaco, of course.’ She laughed. ‘No, seriously, the next time I meet someone I like, I’m going to interrogate him about his background as if I’m a member of MI5 before I even agree to have a coffee with him.’
Everyone looked at her, waiting for her to expand on her words, but Chelsea shook her head.
‘Sorry. Still too raw.’
‘You’re young,’ Matilda said. ‘When you’ve recovered from your bad experience, I’m sure you’ll meet someone you can trust – probably when you least expect to. At least that’s the way it was for me,’ and Matilda fell silent.
Amy realised the silence following Matilda’s words as everybody waited for her to explain was in danger of spoiling the happy atmosphere that had surrounded them all during the meal.
‘I agree,’ Amy said. ‘Life likes to throw the occasional curveball at us, but sometimes I’ve found catching them is the best way forward.’
‘What did you do, Amy, before you came here?’ Chelsea asked curiously.
