Page 28 of A French Country Escape
‘Yes we can, it might even be higher.’ But before Penny could say more, there was a knock on the door and Sasha called out, ‘Good morning!’
‘Door is open, Sasha, come on in,’ Ingrid answered.
‘Sorry, are you busy?’ Sasha said, looking at the paperwork on the table. ‘I don’t want to interrupt and I can’t stay long. I only came up to see how you are.’
‘The swelling on my foot is going down and it’s not as painful as it was, but I’m still immobile, to all intents and purposes,’ Ingrid said.
‘Good that the swelling has gone down, just don’t try to do too much too soon,’ Sasha said. ‘I’ll leave you to it. I have to get back to the cottage, apparently the bathrooms are being delivered today.’
Madame Richard arrived promptly at two o’clock and, abandoning her white mud-splattered sports car in the driveway, immediately launched into a torrent of French as Penny walked down the steps to meet the flamboyant woman with blue hair wearing a shocking pink trouser suit. Whatever else this woman turned out to be, it would definitely not be shy.
Penny smiled, tried to interrupt the flow of words to introduce herself, and took her into the château through the main entrance to meet Ingrid who was waiting, leg propped up, in the main dining room.
‘This is Madame Richard,’ Penny said.
‘Je vous en prie, appelez-moi Stella,’ Madame Richard replied. ‘The château is beautiful. I am so pleased you can help with my catastrophe. I have brought the menu we agree with the now not available hotel, and also the deposit.’
‘Madame Richard – Stella, we have to discuss things first. We hope we can help, but before we can agree to host the reception, we need to know more details of your requirements,’Ingrid said, her French slow and deliberate, hoping to avoid any misunderstandings.
‘First I’d like to show you the rooms available,’ Penny said. ‘This is one of them, upstairs there is another larger reception salon and there is also the orangery, which would be a smaller, more intimate venue.’
‘The orangery soundparfait,’ Stella enthused. ‘Show me.’
‘It’s through here.’ Penny said, opening a door at the back of the room and ushering Stella through. ‘We would dress it up, of course, put some fairy lights around, mirrors, possibly candles, give it an intimate, romantic atmosphere.’
Stella stood enthralled in the middle of the orangery. ‘So beautiful. I don’t need to see the other room. This is the one I want. We go back and organise.’
Back in the château dining room, Penny offered Stella a drink. ‘Coffee, wine?’
Stella shook her head. ‘Non, merci.’ She reached into her large tote and pulled out a folder. ‘This is the menu we want. Here is the deposit the hotel return, five thousand euros.’
‘Thank you,’ Penny said faintly. ‘I’ll give you a receipt when I’ve told you a bit more about what we can provide, and you’ve answered a few questions and we’ve agreed.’
‘Okay!’
‘What time is the wedding?’
‘Five o’clock in the afternoon. I think we be here about a quarter to six.’
‘Welcoming glass of champagne or a soft drink for everyone?’
‘Of course.’
Penny glanced at the menu.
‘Definitely a sit-down meal? Not a buffet?’
Stella nodded.
‘One long head table? Or one just for the bridal family and several smaller round ones?’
‘Oh, round ones – six people on the head table, and about five or six on the others. Informal, fun atmosphere.’
‘So, no formal seating arrangement – apart from the bride and groom on the head table obviously – no place names, a “sit where you like” for the guests?’
‘Yes.’
‘Wedding cake?’
