Page 58 of Summer on the French Riviera
‘Jack, like me, he had an unhappy marriage, is now divorced and says he’s never forgotten me. And he wants us to get back together.’
‘Had you forgotten him?’
‘No.’ Harriet said without hesitation, touching the silver bracelet that Jack had given her.
‘So what’s the problem?’
‘He’s American and lives there. I live in France. He is full of plans for relocating, living half here and half in the States. He seems to forget I’ve only just been reunited with Gabby and Elodie. I can’t just desert them again.’
‘I don’t think it sounds like he’s asking you to do that,’ Jessica said slowly. ‘Anyway, Elodie has Gazz now – I love that girl by the way, she’s perfect for my son – and now Philippe has asked Gabby to marry him, I don’t see there’s a problem there either.’
Their moules and frites arrived at that moment and they both tucked in. It wasn’t until they were both mopping up the cream sauce with slices of baguette that Harriet looked at Jessica.
‘I’m just putting up obstacles, aren’t I?’
Jessica nodded. ‘I think you’re frightened of it going wrong a second time. But from what you’ve told me, it didn’t go wrong so much as you made a bad decision and took the wrong road years ago. If you want my advice – go where your heart tells you.’
‘Both you and Jack make it sound so easy.’
‘It is. Just say yes and do it.’
* * *
Harriet left Jessica after lunch, both of them promising to get together more often, and was making her way home when her mobile beeped with a message from Hugo:
Could really do with you this afternoon if possible? The world and his wife seem to have descended in the gallery
Harriet quickly replied:
In town. I’ll be there in five minutes
The gallery was packed with more people than Harriet had ever seen in the shop at one time. She put her bag out in the office and went to help Hugo behind the counter. It was another hour before things quietened down and things returned to normal.
‘Where did they all come from?’ Harriet asked.
‘I think there were a couple of coach tours in town today,’ Hugo replied. ‘Clearly full of art lovers. Thanks for helping out.’ He paused and looked at her. ‘So, how are things with Jack?’
‘Settling down, thankfully. Have you heard the news about Gabby and Philippe?’ Harriet asked, not ready to talk to Hugo yet about the direction things with Jack actually seemed to be going in. ‘They’re getting married. The engagement party is tomorrow evening and if you’d like to come you’d be more than welcome. Not a large party, just family, the Vincents and Jack and his mother.’
Hugo raised an eyebrow. ‘His mother?’
‘Yes, she’s a lovely woman. She’s actually a customer of ours too, so you’re sure to like her. I’ll make sure she knows who you are.’
‘Thanks. I’ll be there. Here we go again,’ he muttered as the door opened and group of half a dozen or so walked into the gallery.
‘Smile and think of the money they’re spending,’ Harriet said.
44
Harriet and Elodie, having insisted that Gabby and Philippe had an engagement party, did the organising together. With just twelve people expected, there wasn’t a lot to do. Once again, finger food from the supermarket and boulangerie was the easy option - sliced baguettes with cream cheese, jambon or smoked salmon, savoury pastries, crisps, stuffies and olives. All followed by a selection of miniature desserts – lemon-curd tarts, bite-sized meringues and tarte tatin.
By seven thirty on the night of the party, the food was laid out on the terrace table with plates and champagne glasses. Two bottles of the champagne from the cave, plus three bottles of pink champagne in case the older champagne wasn’t drinkable, were in the fridge. Lulu was shut safely away in Harriet’s bedroom until everybody had arrived, when Harriet would let her out, and Harriet and Elodie were now both down on the terrace, waiting for Gabby to join them.
‘Don’t think we’ve forgotten anything, do you? We don’t need music until later, do we?’ Elodie said.
Harriet shook her head. ‘No. All we need now is for Gabby to come downstairs and for Philippe and everyone to arrive.’
‘Well, I’m here,’ Gabby said. ‘It all looks fantastic. Thank you so much. Come here both of you and let me give you a hug.’
