Page 41 of Summer at the Château
‘Let’s take them upstairs, Ferdie, and show you Mimi’s room, then you can both come down and have a slice of pizza,’ Annabelle said.
Justine turned to Pixie and handed her the basket. ‘This is for you. The bottle has been in the fridge all day, so it’s cold if you want to use it tonight.’
‘Thank you. We didn’t expect you to bring anything. I love the basket,’ Pixie said. ‘I’ll put the bottle in the fridge. Why don’t you join Sarah and Gwen. Gus, glass of champers needed for Justine.’
Closing the fridge door, Pixie heard a car parking in the drive and went through the hallway to greet whoever it was. She spotted Jean-Yves and an elegant young woman.
‘Bonjour, Pixie. This is my daughter, Marien, mother of Jade.’
‘Lovely to meet you, Marien. Come on through, both of you, and meet my family.’
Fern, Scott and Anouk arrived soon afterwards, together with Belinda and Alain, and the party was underway.
* * *
The fairy lights everywhere came into their own as daylight faded away and Mimi and Ferdie were taken upstairs to bed an hour or so later. Justine tucked Ferdie in and kissed him goodnight. ‘Be a good boy and go to sleep. I’m just downstairs. And, remember, Charlie is going to come and carry you to the cottage when I go home.’
‘Mimi and I can talk for a bit, though, can’t we?’ Ferdie asked.
‘Not too long.’
Justine and Annabelle left the bedroom door open and the landing light on.
‘He’ll be fine,’ Annabelle said. ‘Right, a second glass of champagne has my name on it, not to mention another slice of pizza.’
Justine smiled. She felt tired and dispirited tonight for some reason now she was here and wished she was back in her own cottage, far away from these people with their smiley faces and bonhomie. She hadn’t expected to see Jean-Yves, the notaire, here and had said ‘Hello’ apprehensively, grateful when he’d returned her greeting politely.
Back down on the terrace, Charlie was just cutting slices of yet another pizza and placing it on plates. He handed her one. ‘You look a bit sad tonight, what’s up?’
‘Bit tired, that’s all.’ No way was she going to admit to Charlie how worried and overwhelmed she suddenly felt about the future, finding somewhere to live, keeping the secret. The secret that was at the root of her problem. He’d think she was mad if she told him what she’d promised never to tell four years ago. He wouldn’t understand why she’d allowed herself to be persuaded to wait until the time was right to tell the truth. ‘You make a good pizza,’ she said, hoping to change the conversation. ‘Love all the fairy lights Pixie has put up.’
‘Makes it look a lot like Christmas to me.’ Charlie smiled. ‘Do you like Christmas?’
‘Not so much these days, although last Christmas was good because Frank…’ she stopped, realising that she was about to say how special Frank had made it for her and Ferdie. She wasn’t used to champagne and Gus had topped up her original glass a couple of times, which must have loosened her tongue.
‘Frank what?’ Charlie asked.
‘Because Frank had let me move in to the cottage and Ferdie and I decorated before I drove up to my parents for the holiday. Will it be all right if I go and get myself a glass of water in the kitchen?’
‘Stay here. I’ve got to fetch the desserts, I’ll bring you some back.’
‘Thanks.’
Justine wandered over to sit with Gwen and Anouk in time to hear Gwen say, ‘So it’s a date then. When I return, you and I will brave the luncheon club together. Check out the talent,’ Gwen gave a mischievous laugh. ‘See if any are worth getting to know.’
‘Where are you off to?’ Justine asked.
‘The UK, tomorrow with Gus. Just for forty-eight hours, then I’ll be back,’ Gwen answered. ‘Can I bring anything back for you or Ferdie? English delicacies you can’t find over here?’
‘I can’t think of anything, but thank you.’
By the time Charlie returned with water and a tray of desserts, Justine was feeling calmer and, after a large glass of water, resolved not to drink any more champagne for the rest of the evening.
Charlie sat with her for a bit before returning to the check on the pizza oven. Once the food was finished and the pizza oven was cooling down, Charlie came over with a plate and held it out to her.
‘A cold final slice of your favourite four cheese pizza?’
‘How can I refuse?’ And Justine took a slice. ‘Still avoiding your dad?’ she whispered.
