Page 20 of A French Adventure
‘Felicity, she can be a little difficult at times and she asks a lot of questions, it is the way she is. I tell myself she doesn’t mean to be rude or unkind,’ Maxine said as she and Vivienne made their way towards them. ‘Pierre, he always say she’s impossible and that Trent deserve many medals for staying married to her.’
After she’d introduced Vivienne as a new friend who was staying in Antibes for several weeks to write her next book, Felicity asked, ‘What do you write? Will I have heard of you?’
‘It rather depends on the kind of books you read,’ Vivienne answered. ‘I write contemporary women’s fiction.’
‘Oh romance, something I never read,’ Felicity said.
Vivienne opened her mouth to protest, but Maxine beat her to it. ‘Non, not pure romance. Relationship stories about families, sisters, friends. Maybe you try one sometime. I will lend you a copy.’
But Felicity was intent on asking questions. ‘Where are you staying in Antibes?’
‘In the lovely apartment above Olivia, that’s how we met.’
‘I can never understand why Olivia doesn’t live in it herself. It’s far nicer than the bottom one.’
Surprised, Vivienne turned to look at Maxine. ‘Olivia owns the villa? She’s my landlady?’
Maxine nodded. ‘Yes. Something we never tell guests. It is easier to have a go-between in case of problems. I think Olivia would tell you soon. Olivia, she never mixes with the guests, but you two have become friends in a short time, yes?’
Vivienne nodded. ‘She and my daughter are about the same age, I think.’
‘Your daughter, she is married? Are you a grandmother?’ Felicity demanded.
Vivienne laughed. ‘No, I’m not a grandmother. Natalie isn’t married. Too busy making a success of her catering business. Like Olivia is doing with her flower taxi.’
Felicity made a noise that Vivienne could only think of as a dismissive ladylike snort. ‘They’ll both miss out if they are not careful. Biological clocks only tick for so long.’
‘I’m sure both Olivia and my Natalie are aware of that,’ Vivienne said. ‘In any case, the way they live their lives is their decision.’
Felicity shrugged. ‘I can’t stand by silently and watch my daughter leave it too late to have a family.’ She held up a hand. ‘I know Olivia resents me trying to matchmake and some other people’ – turning, Felicity glared at Trent and Maxine – ‘think I interfere too much, but I only want the best for her.’
‘We both do, but this party is not the place to discuss it,’ Trent said firmly. ‘So let’s change the subject.’ He looked at Maxine. ‘Thierry arriving was a surprise. Is he okay?’
‘I think so. He’s staying with me for a short time while he sorts some things out. He misses Pierre like I do, so much. Maybe you could…?’
Trent understood what she was suggesting immediately. ‘I’ll arrange a get-together soon, see if he wants to talk.’
‘You know, I’ve always thought Thierry would make a good catch for Olivia,’ Felicity said, glancing down the garden. ‘Lovely person, excellent job with good prospects. Look at the two of them now. Don’t they look good together? Perhaps I?—’
‘Felicity! Stop right there.’ Trent’s voice was firm, daring his wife to argue. ‘Why don’t we go and find some of the delicious food Maxine has provided,’ and he held out his hand to Felicity, the look on his face daring her to refuse.
It was Olivia who broke the silence that continued between herself and Thierry for several seconds after Maxine and Vivienne left them.
‘Well, that was pretty undiplomatic of Maxine, taking off like that,’ she said, giving Thierry a small smile. ‘But it is good to see you.’ There was no point in denying it even to herself, because it was good to see him. ‘A flying visit as usual?’
Thierry shook his head. ‘Not this time. I’m back in Europe permanently.’
Olivia’s eyes widened in surprise. ‘Truly? I thought you’d found your niche over there in Asia.’
Thierry gave a shrug. ‘Turns out I prefer to live in France.’
‘Pierre would have been pleased to hear that,’ Olivia said quietly, remembering how close father and son had been before Thierry’s career took him halfway around the world to live.
‘Sadly it is too late for that, Tuppence,mais oui, I hope somehow he knows.’
Olivia, smiling at his use of her childhood pet name, one she’d never thought to hear him use again, took it as a sign that he was no longer angry with her. Perhaps now would be a good time to try to mend things between them? Apologise forbehaving badly and saying things that would have been best left unsaid. Get their friendship back. But before she could speak, Thierry was speaking again.
‘Maxine tells me the flower taxi business is blooming?’ His lips twitched as he looked at her.
