Page 32 of Summer at the Château
The path they were following finished at the entertainment area – a large concreted space where all the stalls and tables had been set up.
‘There must be at least seventy or eighty stalls,’ Pixie said in surprise. ‘Where to start?
‘We’re sure to find some bargains here,’ Gwen said. ‘You might even find a desk for your writing room.’
‘Mum! There’s no point in buying anything. We’re just looking.’ Pixie wasn’t sure that Gwen was even listening as she walked off towards a table with an eclectic mixture of stuff, from jewellery, kitchen paraphernalia, DVDs and ornaments to baby clothes.
For the next hour, the two of them wandered from table to table, Pixie sticking resolutely to her no buying policy and sighing every time Gwen picked something up.
The second-hand book table with its selection of English paperbacks was a magnet though, for both of them. Even Pixie couldn’t resist buying a couple.
‘Time for a coffee,’ Pixie said, looking across at the takeaway window of the cafe. To her surprise, Fern was working behind the counter.
‘I managed the place for a season or two when Belinda and Alain first took it over,’ she explained. ‘But once Scott and I were married I didn’t have the time to do both the auberge and this. I still help out from time to time and I make some of the cakes for them – try the Breton apple cake, that’s one of mine.’
Pixie and Gwen took their coffees and cake and sat at one of the outside tables to enjoy them while indulging in a spot of people-watching. Pixie’s phone rang just as they were thinking of re-joining the crowds and checking out some more tables.
‘Hi, Gus. Everything okay? Annabelle’s changed her plans? You’re all coming at the same time? No, not a problem. What about Charlie – is he still coming? That’s fine. Yes, Mum’s fine too. See you all next week then.’ She pressed the end call symbol. ‘Annabelle’s coming earlier than planned. Harry apparently can’t make it, so she’s going to follow Gus and Sarah as she’s not happy about driving all the way on her own.’
‘And Charlie?’
‘Typically Charlie, no definite date. Expect him when we see him.’ Pixie stood up. ‘I love my nephew dearly, but he is impossible to tie down. Come on, I saw a plant stall earlier. We might find some plants suitable for the urns and pots since we keep missing the opening times at the garden centre.’
Pixie was congratulating herself on buying nothing more than a basketload of plants, geraniums and cosmos mainly, at the plant stall when she saw the pair of Lloyd Loom chairs.
‘They’d be perfect in the new room,’ she said. ‘What a pity.’
‘Go on, be a devil,’ Gwen said. ‘You know you want to. I’ll ask how much they are.’
As Pixie went to protest, a voice behind her said, ‘Bonjour, Madame Sampson. I hope you are well?’
Pixie whirled round and came face to face with Jean-Yves.
‘Bonjour,’ she echoed as she registered he was holding the hand of a little girl clutching a big pink teddy.
‘My granddaughter, Jade. My daughter is at work today, so I’ve been commandeered for childminding. And like any French papa, I can never refuse the little one.’
Gwen returned. ‘The price is – oh, sorry.’ She looked from Jean-Yves to Pixie.
‘Mum, this is my notaire; Jean-Yves Ropars, my mother, Gwen. And this is his granddaughter, Jade.’
‘Enchanté, madame,’ Jean-Yves said, shaking Gwen’s hand. ‘You are buying something from here?’
‘The wicker chairs,’ Gwen replied. ‘I think they’re a good price, but the man can’t deliver and I don’t think they will fit in the car. Shame. I was going to buy them as a present for Pixie’s new room.’
‘They will fit in my car. I am happy to deliver,’ Jean-Yves offered.
‘Perfect, thank you,’ Gwen said, turning back to the vendor before Pixie could voice her objection.
‘I am so sorry about my mother. You really don’t have to do this.’
‘I am glad to help. It is not a problem,’ Jean-Yves said, smiling at her.
‘The chairs are yours,’ Gwen said, returning to their side. ‘Now, how do we get them back to the château?’ And she smiled at Jean-Yves.
‘I would suggest I collect them later today. Once the vide-grenier closes, I will be able to drive down through the campsite and pick them up. Is that all right for you?’ he asked, turning to Pixie.
She nodded. ‘I hate putting you to so much trouble.’
