Page 14 of A French Country Escape
Before Sasha could respond, two women hurried into the sitting room. ‘Désolées, tout le monde.Sorry we’re late.’
Sasha glanced across to see Colette and an older woman who had to be her mother, the likeness was so striking. Colette waved at her, mouthed ‘We’ll talk later,’ and they both went to join Eliza and Lucas, who immediately poured them a glass of wine each.
‘Time to start, I think,’ Ingrid said and held up a copy ofThe President’s Hat. Everyone fell silent. ‘I enjoyed this. What about everyone else?’ She quickly translated her words into French for the benefit of those who didn’t speak English. Soon, there was a lively discussion going on in two languages, as some thought it was slow and a bit dull, whilst others had enjoyed it and were going to read the author’s other novels.
As the discussion slowed down, Lucas went around the group offering more wine to those who wanted it, and talk became general as people began catching up with all the latest village news. Sasha settled back in her chair, happy to listen and absorb the scene that she wasn’t quite a part of yet. She watched Jean-Paul chatting quietly with Eliza for a few moments and received a smile from him when he glanced across and caught her looking. Colette and her mother were talking to Ingrid, and Benjamin and Suzie were talking – or maybe arguing – with each other, Sasha couldn’t decide.
When Lucas appeared at her side offering her a top-up of wine, she declined. ‘Non, merci.’
‘Vous parlez français?’
‘No,’ Sasha said, shaking her head. ‘I am going to learn, but right now I just have a few phrases from learning French at school.’
‘I speak English, so it is not a problem,’ Lucas said. ‘You like living in France?’
‘We haven’t been here long, but I’m loving it so far.’
‘We? You have a husband? He is not here tonight?’
Sasha laughed. ‘No, I don’t have a husband. My brother and I bought the Cottages du Lac. I live in one and he lives in the other.’
‘Très bien.’
Knowing that ‘bien’ meant good, Sasha wanted to ask why he thought it was good, but Lucas was smiling at her as he took his phone out of his pocket.
‘Give me your telephone number,s’il vous plaît, and I send you mine. Then I can teach you French. Or help you when you need it.’
Before Sasha could hand over her phone, Colette joined them.
‘Lucas, are you flirting with Sasha already?’
‘Non. I am just offering the help,’ Lucas said, slipping his phone back in his pocket.
‘He can be quite useful at times actually,’ Colette said. ‘He’s come in handy more than once,’ and she flashed him a smile.
‘I forget to tell you,’ Lucas said. ‘Grand-maman say to me that Alice, she come home for the summer soon. Alice is my sister,’ he said, turning to Sasha. ‘She and Colette are great friends. You and Alice will like each other too, I think.’
Josette and Robert were the first to leave because of their early morning start at the boulangerie. Ingrid called out ageneral, ‘Bonne nuit, everyone, and don’t forget next month’s book choice isRebeccaby Daphne du Maurier. A real English classic.’
Sasha thanked Ingrid for inviting her, said goodbye and ‘Bonne nuit’ to everyone and started to walk home, having gently refused Lucas’s offer to accompany her. She smiled as she remembered that they never did exchange phone numbers. Shame. She rather liked the idea of getting to know Lucas better. With his fair hair and blue eyes that smiled at her with Gallic charm, he seemed to be full of fun, even if he was a bit of a flirt. And hadn’t she decided that there would be some fun in this new life of hers?
12
‘I’m going to phone Penny again this morning,’ Ingrid said to Peter as they sat eating their usual breakfast of croissants and coffee in the kitchen two days later. ‘I do wish she’d hurry up and let us know what’s happening.’
‘Maybe she’s changed her mind. Decided to give Rory another chance,’ Peter said, a despondent note in his voice. ‘I sincerely hope that isn’t the case, but…’ He shrugged.
Ingrid bit her lip. She’d promised Penny she wouldn’t tell Peter the whole truth about the situation with Rory, trusting Penny to do that when she was safe, and she’d simply told him that their daughter’s relationship was over. ‘I’m positive she’s finished with him. I expect she’s trying to decide what to do for the best now. She knows how much we’d love her to join us here, but maybe she wants to stay independent in the UK.’
Peter nodded. ‘Sadly, we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.’ He finished his coffee and stood up to take his mug and plate across to the dishwasher. ‘Freddie and I are going to work in the orangery this morning. He seems to think the plants in there are salvageable and is going to suggest which new ones would blend in well. Might drive down to thepépinièrelater,see if they’ve got some citrus trees in stock.’ He gave Ingrid a serious look. ‘It’s early days yet, but I think Freddie’s going to be a godsend to us. I think I’m going to offer him as many hours as he can manage; there is so much still to do out there.’
‘Summer is coming and we already have a few guests booked in, and we’re on a couple of holiday websites now, so at least we’re starting to create an income, and the money from the sale of the cottages will be a cushion for several months at least,’ Ingrid said. ‘And there’s another thing; if Penny comes, we can start to offer a dinner menu – both in the main building and in the orangery.’ Ingrid stood up and gave him a hug. ‘The place will start to earn its keep this summer. I know it will all come right. As for Penny, we just have to be patient. Like we are with this place.’
Peter returned her hug but didn’t say anything as he turned to leave.
After tidying the kitchen, Ingrid went through the adjoining door into the château and stood by the sitting-room windows where the mobile signal was stronger; she rang Penny. The last time she’d rung, she’d had to leave a message, but this time she didn’t even get that option. The phone was switched off. Something was definitely going on in her daughter’s life. Ingrid could only hope and pray that Penny was sorting things out successfully, and that everything would be resolved very soon. She’d try calling again this evening. If she didn’t get a reply, then she’d talk to Peter and suggest that he book a ferry ticket to England soon to go and find out what exactly the situation was with Rory.
In the meantime, she’d spend the morning in Huelgoat at the weekly market. Impulsively, she rang Sasha; maybe she’d enjoy a trip out.
