Page 55 of A French Adventure
‘You did,’ Vivienne said nervously. ‘Are you enjoying it?’
‘Very much. I read it in one sitting.’
‘Phew, that’s a relief,’ Vivienne remarked. And it was. Jeremy had only ever read one of her books, and when she’d asked if he’d enjoyed it, he’d shrugged and told her it wasn’t his kind of book. She’d have hated it if Gilles had said something belittling about the one he’d read. They reached the restaurant at that moment and were shown to a table near the back of the outdoor seating area and in the shade.
‘What would you like to drink? I’m driving, so I’ll just have some Perrier water.’
‘I’d like a gin and tonic with lots of ice and lemon please and then I’ll join you with water. I’m planning on doing some work later,’ Vivienne smiled.
Once the waiter had brought their drinks and the menus for them to look at, Gilles said, ‘I have to thank you for tracking my father down. Meeting you and learning why the woman he loved rejected him all those years go has given him peace of mind over something none of us knew he’d suffered.’
‘Your father is a lovely man,’ Vivienne said gently. ‘I’m sorry he didn’t turn out to be my father.’
‘I think he is too – he didn’t stop talking about you and Natalie after you left.’
‘I know more about your father than I do you,’ Vivienne said.
Gilles smiled. ‘That’s easily changed. I’m fifty-four, divorced for three years. I have a grown son a little older than Natalie, I think. He’s currently in the US with my ex-wife and her new husband. Your turn, because apart from being a writer I know very little about you.’
‘I’m married, but not for much longer. Jeremy, my husband, has been having an affair with my agent and is now leaving me for her and starting a new family. You’ve met my daughter,I also have a son, Tim, who is a paramedic. And in about six months I shall be living down here. Which if you, or anyone, had suggested to me a month ago I would be moving permanently to the South of France, I’d have said you were mad. But I honestly can’t wait,’ she said and took a sip of her gin and tonic. ‘Would you like to see the house I’m buying. I’m so excited.’ She took the phone out of her bag and held it for him to see.
‘That’s one beautiful villa,’ Gilles said.
‘I’ve already promised Pascal a visit to see it when I’ve moved, you must come with him.’
‘I’ll be sure to do that,’ Gilles said. ‘But I hope to see you again before then.’
The waiter returned at that moment to talk them through the menu and to take their order. After much discussion, they both opted to skip an entrée and share the freshly roasted leg of lamb for two, served with roasted Mediterranean vegetables.
Sitting there nibbling the breadsticks placed on the table, drinking a second gin and tonic, listening to Gilles telling her tales of his pilot days, Vivienne felt her cares drift away for an hour or two. The meal when it arrived was delicious, as was the tiramisu she enjoyed whilst Gilles had cheese and biscuits.
Noticing other diners starting to drift away, Vivienne glanced at her watch, and gasped. ‘It’s nearly three o’clock. Don’t you have people to see this afternoon?’
‘Ah, about that. I have a confession to make,’ Gilles said.
Vivienne gave him an intense look and waited.
‘I didn’t unexpectedly find myself in Antibes today. I wanted to see you again before you left, so I drove down to specifically ask you to join me for lunch. If you’d been busy, I’d have gone straight home.’ He paused and gave her a serious look. ‘But on this occasion I wanted to confirm the overwhelming attraction I felt for you was real. I’m not normally this impatient to get to know someone when I meet them, but I really wanted to havea memory of time spent with you before you disappear. I really like you and think – hope – we could be more than good friends.’
‘Oh Gilles. If I’m honest, I have to admit to feeling the same, but the facts are I’m still married – I haven’t even contacted a divorce lawyer yet. I’d love for us to be friends, but it’s too soon for me to think any further.’
‘We will stay in touch whilst you are away. I’m a patient man,’ Gilles said. ‘I’ll wait until you’re ready.’
After paying the bill, Gilles offered to walk her back to the apartment. Vivienne agreed, purely to have his company for longer.
When they reached the villa, Gilles caught hold of her hand. ‘Thank you joining me for lunch,’ he said. ‘The first of many, I hope.’
‘Thank you for the lovely lunch. Drive carefully and give my regards to Pascal when you get home.’
Gilles squeezed the hand he was still holding. ‘I’m sorry you didn’t get the result you hoped for yesterday but…’ he looked at her, with eyes that had a sudden mischievous twinkle in them. ‘I have to say I’m glad we’re not related.’
‘That thought had occurred to me too,’ Vivienne said, smiling at him.
Gilles leant in and lightly kissed her cheek. ‘I’ll see you when you return. Take care of yourself.’ And he was gone.
‘You too,’ Vivienne said quietly as she watched him go, wondering what on earth had happened to the sensible middle-aged woman she used to be.
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