Page 59 of A French Adventure
‘I was working a lot of the time, but the whole of the Côte d’Azur is beautiful. I’m really looking forward to moving down there.’
Jeremy gave her a stunned look. ‘You’re moving to the Riviera?’
‘Yes. I think I’ll have a better life there. The weather alone will make a difference.’
‘But you’ve lived here all of your life. Your roots are here. Your children are here.’
‘They will visit. Natalie had a lovely time and made friends down there. She can’t wait for me to move so she can visit again. I know Tim too will enjoy the lifestyle.’
‘Have you thought anymore about me buying you out of this house?’ Jeremy asked, ignoring her comments about the children.
‘No. I assumed you didn’t want to pay the price. Have you told the agents we accept the offer?’
‘You did – which made me sound like a fool,’ Jeremy said, glaring at her.
Vivienne stayed silent at that remark.
‘Sadie is going to ring you later.’
‘She needn’t bother. I’m not talking to her.’
‘You’re being childish. These things happen; you have to learn to live with it.’
Vivienne was too angry to even hit back on that remark. ‘Are you staying at Sadie’s until the house sells?’
‘I’ll probably come and go. I’m not moving my stuff out. I know what the law says about that.’
‘Well, if you intend to stay here overnight you’ll need to make up the bed in the spare room,’ Vivienne said. ‘And find your own food. Are you staying here this morning? Only I’ve got work to do.’
‘I’ve got to get back to the office. I’ll be back later. I need some clothes and I haven’t got time to get them now.’
Vivienne closed her eyes and let out an exasperated sigh as he left. She hadn’t been back twenty-four hours and she was already wishing she’d stayed in Antibes. The thought of being here for another month or two was almost unbearable.
41
The day after Vivienne and Natalie left, Maxine drove Leonie to Nice airport to catch a flight to Paris. Leonie was quieter than she had been in recent days and Maxine gave her a quick glance as they got out of the car and made their way to the departures hall. Leonie had booked in online already, so within minutes they were approaching the departure lounge doors.
‘Are you okay? You’re very quiet. Not worried about returning, are you?’ Maxine said.
Leonie shook her head. ‘Non. There is nothing to be afraid of anymore. It’s just…’ she hesitated. ‘My life has been so different since I found you in Antibes, it is like I’ve been living someone else’s life and now I am having to leave it.’
‘Maisyou are coming back at the weekend to stay forever,’ Maxine said forcibly.
‘But I cannot help worrying that whilst I am away you might realise how big a burden it will be to have me in your life full time.’ Leonie looked at her, her eyes shiny with tears that were threatening to fall.
Maxine stopped and, regardless of the throng of passengers around them, pulled Leonie to a stop in front of her.‘Maintenantyou listen to me. You will never,everbe a burden to me,d’accord? All those years we were forced apart, they were a burden to carry and get through – having you in my life now is pure joy, understand? I’m going to miss you while you are up in Paris and be counting the days until I come back here to pick you up.’ She pulled Leonie into her arms and gave her a tight hug. ‘Don’t you dare think ever again that you are an unwanted burden to me. I love you.’
Leonie closed her eyes and took a big sniff. ‘I love you too, Maman. I can’t wait to come back.’ And she kissed Maxine on the cheek. ‘Thank you. See you in a few days.’ And she walked into the departure lounge, turning at the door to give Maxine a wave before she disappeared.
Back outside, Maxine automatically fed the parking ticket machine with the required amount before making for her car and driving home. It wasn’t until she was back in the safety of the garden at L’Abri that the tears started to flow as she sat by the fishpond and let her pent-up feelings and emotions escape. If Daiva Toussaint wasn’t already dead, she was angry enough to kill him with her bare hands for the mental damage he’d inflicted on their daughter.
It was some time before she was calm enough to go indoors to make herself a cup of tea. Waiting for the kettle to boil, she stood in the open doorway of Leonie’s bedroom. There were a few of her personal things on show in the room, something which gave Maxine a definite happy feeling. The paint crayons Leonie had bought on her day out in Monaco with Olivia and Natalie were lined up neatly on the small table that served as a desk. Maxine made a mental note to find Leonie a desk, create a proper working space for her art.
She crossed over to the wardrobe and saw the old-fashioned clothes that Leonie had been wearing that first evening she’d knocked on the door hanging there. She’d suggest to Leoniewhen she returned that they could be donated to the Monaco Kermesse later in the year. Today, Leonie had returned to Paris wearing white jeans, a summery top and a denim jacket. It was going to be fun helping her to find her style and to buy clothes for her new life.
Pulling the door closed, Maxine smiled seeing Anatole the mouse on the pillow. Leonie had only been gone a couple of hours and already she couldn’t wait for her to return at the weekend.
Maxine had just made herself a cup of tea when Thierry arrived. ‘Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?’
