Page 39 of A French Adventure
‘No, nothing yet, but it’s not been long. I’ll keep looking on the internet too. Something will turn up if it’s meant to be.’
‘Just hypothetically, would you buy my villa if it ever came on the market – just for the roof terrace of course?’
Vivienne laughed. ‘I might. I do like the apartment almost as much as the terrace, but I’m not sure I’d want the fuss of renting out the bottom one. I suppose I could always turn it back into a single villa. Anyway, you’re not thinking of moving, are you?’
Olivia shook her head. ‘You never know what’s around the next corner as they say, but no, the question really was hypothetical.’ Unless… She pushed the thought away.
Maxine had some antipasti and wine on the terrace table when they arrived and the three of them were soon sat sipping wine, eating crisps and olives and listening to the music Maxine had set up. Tonight it was piano jazz, courtesy of Jamie Cullum.
‘Where’s Thierry tonight?’ Olivia asked as casually as she could.
‘He’s gone to Tourrettes-sur-Loup for another informal chat with Marie-France,’ Maxine said. ‘It seems he’s going ahead with this activity centre business.’
‘These activity centres are all the rage these days, aren’t they? Here and in the UK,’ Vivienne said. ‘I think tennis and sailing were the only things on offer when I was younger, not that I have ever had the desire to go white-water rafting or anything like that.’
‘I was wondering what to do about Thierry’s birthday,’ Olivia said. ‘It will be his first without his father.’ She gave Maxine an apologetic look before continuing. ‘I’m making him lunch on the day, but I was wondering about giving him a small party in the evening? What d’you think? I know if I mention it to Maman she’ll throw him a dinner party, but I’m not sure that he’d enjoy that.’
‘I’ll give him a party here,’ Maxine said instantly. ‘Just an informal get-together of his friends. We’d have to ask Trent and Felicity, though,’ she added, looking at Olivia.
‘No worries,’ Olivia said. ‘If you’re sure, thank you, Maxie.’
‘Before I forget,’ Maxine said to Vivienne. ‘I think I may have found your perfect home. It belongs to some friends of mine.’
‘Really? Where? Pictures?’
‘No pictures yet and I can’t take you to see it either for a little while. I can tell you a bit about it because I’ve been to parties there in the past. It’s in a gated domain of about eight houses in the countryside close to Valbonne, the village you loved. Fourbedrooms, a large kitchen, sitting room with a view out over the Alpes-Maritimes, a study and it has a large swimming pool.’
‘When can I see it?’ Vivienne asked.
‘Not sure. It’s been rented out for the past few years, but now the owners have decided to sell. The tenants leave soon and the owners have promised me first look and first refusal.’
‘Can’t wait to see it. Maybe Natalie will get to see it too when she’s here.’
‘Any news from Puget?’ Maxine asked.
‘Not a word,’ Vivienne said. ‘I’d have thought Pascal Rocher must be back from holiday by now? I guess either the receptionist forgot to give him my message and card or he doesn’t want to know anything about the past.’ She paused. ‘Natalie’s hiring a car when she arrives so we can explore a bit, we’ll drive out that way and see if we can locate him. If not, well, I’ve come to the conclusion in the scheme of things, it’s not that important really.’
‘Peut-êtrefor the best,’ Maxine said. ‘Stirring up muddy water is not always the wise thing to do.’
27
Vivienne was working up on the terrace the next day when her mobile rang. Snatching it up hoping it was Pascal Rocher making contact, her heart sank seeing the caller ID. She took a deep breath before pressing the button.
‘Good morning, Jeremy.’
‘We’ve had an offer on the house,’ he said without preamble. ‘Not as high as I would have liked, but I’m happy to accept it.’
‘I thought the agent said there was a lot of interest? That it was a good house in a sought-after area. Surely we don’t have to accept the first offer we get?’ Vivienne protested.
‘I can see you’re being difficult again,’ Jeremy said. ‘Because I want to accept it.’
‘What is the offer?’
‘Fifteen thousand below the asking price.’
‘No way. Tell the agent to negotiate it up another ten and then we’ll consider it. Let me know when it happens. Bye.’
‘Hang on. There’s something else I need to talk to you about.’
