Page 65 of Summer at the Château
‘If you would like one, we can do that.’
Charlie came out of the kitchen with a leg of roast lamb on a platter and called across to William. ‘Can you carve this please while I get the vegetables and potatoes? Thanks.’
Pixie waited until everyone had a plate of food in front of them and conversation was subdued before she asked Brigitte when she and William were leaving. ‘I’m not asking you to leave, by the way. I was just wondering when you were planning on going home as there is something I’d like to do before you do go.’
‘I was thinking about midday tomorrow,’ William answered.
‘Perfect.’ Pixie glanced along the table to where Ferdie and Charlie were busy talking together. She lowered her voice just in case. ‘I thought I’d scatter Frank’s ashes down by the willow tree while everyone is here.’
William nodded and looked across at Justine. ‘Would you like me to look after Ferdie while that happens? He’s probably a bit young to realise what’s going on but…’
‘Sure you wouldn’t mind, Dad?’ Justine said.
‘I’ve had very little involvement with Frank, whereas the rest of you…’ he shrugged. ‘That’s sorted then. Ferdie and I will walk to the village and then play a game with Trouble and Buddy while you all say goodbye to Frank.’
* * *
That night, before she went to bed, Pixie opened the wardrobe doors in her bedroom and reached in to pull out the box that contained Frank’s ashes. Carefully, she placed them on the bedside table so she could see them as she lay in bed and talked to Frank.
‘I was unbelievably hurt and angry when I first heard about Justine and then the news that my friend, Brigitte, was her mother. But Brigitte has explained what happened at the time and how twenty-six years later you were scared about telling me, even though you were thrilled to have an unexpected daughter. I do wish you had felt able to tell me yourself, instead of waiting until you judged the moment to be right, which sadly was destined never to arrive.’ She paused. ‘Yes, I would have been upset, hurt and angry, but together we would have weathered the storm, like we always managed to somehow. Tomorrow I’m going to scatter your ashes down by the willow and the lake – one of our favourite places in the grounds, so I hope you’ll find it a peaceful place. The people who loved you and who you loved in this world will all be there – me, Justine, Gwen, Charlie and Brigitte. No, I know you didn’t love, love her, but she was a very dear friend and gave you Justine. Ferdie is too little to be there or understand, but he will grow up knowing his granddad is under the willow tree. Goodnight, my darling, and thank you for the gift of Justine and Ferdie.’ Pixie reached out and turned off the bedside light and was asleep in minutes.
42
The next morning, Pixie was up early as usual, but instead of making for her writing room, she showered and dressed before picking up the urn and going downstairs to make coffee and think about the day ahead.
Downstairs, she placed the urn out of harm’s way on the dresser and switched the coffee machine on. Minutes later, as she sat nursing her first mug of coffee, Gwen came into the kitchen.
‘Thought I could smell coffee.’ She helped herself to one before sitting down at the table with Pixie. ‘I’m glad I’ve caught you alone,’ she said. ‘There are a couple of things I want to say. I know Justine is happy to be involved with helping run retreats at the château, but I think you need to give her more responsibility and put her in charge of front of house. I’m probably not going to be here that much.’
Pixie nodded. ‘You’re right. I’ll talk to her about it. And?’ She looked at Gwen.
‘I want to go and stay with Augustus today. I’m going to ask Brigitte and William to give me a lift to Roscoff when they leave. It’s not far out of their way, I’m sure they won’t mind. We’ve so much catching up to do, and plans to make. I’ve packed my case with a few things ready. You don’t mind, do you? You’ve got Charlie, Justine and Ferdie here. The three of you can start to make proper plans.’
‘I’ll miss you, Mum, but no, I don’t mind. So long as you aren’t rushing into something you’ll regret?’
Gwen shook her head. ‘At our age we have to seize the moment,carpe diemand all that. We can’t be sure how many moments we’ve got left.’
‘I can understand that. If William and Brigitte can’t take you, I will,’ Pixie said. ‘But may I come and pick you both up next week and have Augustus stay here for a while? Give me a chance to get to know him too.’
‘That would be good.’
Charlie appeared just then and soon the kitchen was filled with the smell of eggs and bacon and toast.
* * *
It was ten o’clock when Justine and Brigitte arrived, Justine carrying a yellow rose in a pot and Brigitte with a bouquet of lilies and white gardenias mixed with some colourful Gerber daisies. William had left with Ferdie and the two dogs on a walk to the village.
Pixie stood up, fetched the urn from the dresser and took a deep breath. ‘Come on then. Let’s send Frank on his way.’
The five of them wandered down through the grounds to the lake and the willow tree in silence.
Pixie looked at the bench and turned round to face the others. ‘Would anyone like to say anything? Mum? Justine?’
Gwen shook her head, but Justine gave a small start and looked at Pixie. ‘Would you mind?’
When Pixie gestured to her to go ahead, Justine moved forward and placed the rose at the side of the bench.
‘You weren’t in my life for very long, Frank, neither did we get to know each other as well as most fathers and daughters do and I’m sad about that. But I’m glad we did at least get to know each other a little and you met Ferdie. Letting Ferdie and I live in the cottage has changed our lives in so many ways, for which I shall be eternally grateful. A yellow rose is the symbol of gratitude, so I shall plant this down here by the willow tree where it will always remind me of you. Thank you for everything.’ Justine brushed a tear away as she stepped back to stand at Brigitte’s side.
