Page 24 of A French Country Escape
Once the suitcases were stowed in the boot, they were off. Penny sat in the back and zoned out for the next half hour or so as Alice and Lucas chatted in French about their grand-maman and other people in the village she hadn’t yet met. It wasn’t until she heard Lucas mention the new owners of the Cottages du Lac that she began to listen and try to translate the French.
‘I think they are about our ages, so new friends all round. Sasha has just taken the last two of Bruno’s pups. She’s been helping Ingrid at the château since the accident.’
Penny was instantly on the alert at Lucas’s words. ‘What accident?’
Lucas glanced at her in the rear-view mirror. ‘I’m sorry. You didn’t know? Nothing is broken. Your maman fell out of the Land Rover. A badly twisted ankle.’
Penny exhaled. ‘My mother does tend to be a bit accident-prone at times and it’s always her ankles that take the brunt.’
‘I’m sure having you home will aid her recovery,’ Lucas said. Five minutes later, he turned onto the driveway of the Château du Cheval.
‘Even after two years, it’s strange coming in through these gates. I always feel I should be going down theroute de galopto the Cottages du Lac and Grand-maman,’ Alice said.
‘Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose,’ Lucas said. ‘The more things change, the more they stay the same.’
19
Ingrid was in the small sitting room when she heard the kitchen door open.
‘Anyone home?’
‘In the sitting room,’ Ingrid answered, not daring to believe it was who she thought it was.
‘Hello, Mum,’ Penny said, standing in the doorway.
‘Oh, thank God you’re here. Come and let me give you a hug.’
Penny gave a happy sigh as Ingrid squeezed her tightly. ‘I’m so glad to be here.’
‘How did you manage without calling us for a lift?’
‘Alice and Lucas Briet.’
‘We’ve both been so worried. I kept ringing, but you had your phone switched off all the time. Why didn’t you at least let us know where you were? That you were okay? That last text was such a relief.’
‘I’m truly sorry, Mum, but I didn’t want to involve you in case things got nasty.’
‘We thought you might be on your way to the Lake District.’
Penny moved away and looked at her. ‘How did you…?’
‘Rory phoned. Not a happy man.’
‘He’s spoken to Emma then. If he phones again, just tell him that’s where I am. I don’t want him showing his face here.’
‘I doubt that he’ll come here,’ Ingrid said. ‘Your dad made it plain that he’s not welcome. Where have you been, anyway?’
‘Dawn insisted I stay with her for a few days while I sorted everything.’ Penny looked at Ingrid’s leg resting on the chair. ‘That looks a bit violent – all those reds, blues and purples.’
‘I’ve got a matching wrist this time,’ Ingrid said, showing her.
‘How are you managing with the guests?’
‘Sasha stepped up and made sure the room was ready, Dad’s sorted breakfasts and pushed the vacuum around. They leave tomorrow and we don’t have any more bookings this month. I must ring Sasha and tell her you’re here – if you’re happy to be tomorrow’s chambermaid?’
‘Of course I am. I can do whatever you want me to. Who is Sasha?’
‘She and her brother Freddie are the new owners of the Cottages du Lac,’ Ingrid answered before asking, ‘How long are you planning on staying?’
