Page 51 of A French Country Escape
Jean-Paul nodded. ‘Soon, but first we meet tomorrow evening.’
‘Tomorrow evening?’
‘It is book club night.’
‘I’d forgotten,’ Sasha said. ‘See you then.’
Jean-Paul smiled before slowly leaning in and kissing her gently on the lips. ‘Bonne nuit et fais de beaux rêves.’
Watching Jean-Paul drive away, Sasha smiled happily to herself as she remembered something her mum had once told her: ‘A slow burning romance that takes its time to ignite the flames is usually a long-lasting true love.’ If that was what this relationship was, a slow burner to true love, she had the feeling that it could burst into flames at any moment in the future.
38
Ingrid and Peter had decided to hold the book club meeting in the orangery to give the members a chance to see it in all its newly acquired glory and hopefully spread the word. Thetrompe l’œilswere admired by everyone and Sasha was overwhelmed by the praise when she arrived. Flustered and embarrassed by the attention, she sank gratefully down onto the chair Jean-Paul had saved for her next to him.
The book discussion when it began was lively. Everyone, it seemed, had views aboutTender Is the Night.
‘J’adore,’ Josette said, and glared at Benjamin when Ingrid translated his words: ‘The storyline was somewhat boring and out of touch.’ Josette’s audible mutter of ‘Imbécile’was heard by everyone and needed no translation.
Eliza too had found it ‘a good read,’ although the Americanisms were a bit confusing.
‘The characters were so complex,’ Sasha said. ‘They stayed in my mind after I’d finished the book.’
After everyone had had their say, Ingrid held up their next read. ‘This is the book chosen for our summer break. At over four hundred pages, it’s longer than most of our usual novels,but you’ve got two months to get through it.To My Daughter in France, by Barbara and Stephanie Keating. It’s not so well known as any of our other books, but it is one of my favourites – a story of impossible love, secrets, and families torn apart.’ Ingrid smiled across at Benjamin. ‘I hope you will like this one.’
‘More wine or coffee, anyone?’ Peter asked. When several people took him up on the offer, Sasha, realising that everyone was keen to stay longer this evening, made her way over to Colette.
‘I’ve been thinking about the Welsh Cob you mentioned, and I’m definitely interested,’ Sasha said. ‘I haven’t had a chance to ask Ingrid about the cost of having a DIY livery here yet, but equally important is, will he come with tack? I don’t have any saddles or anything.’
‘Definitely comes with tack,’ Colette said. And she named a figure for the livery that Sasha knew was well within her means.
‘I’ll have to ask Ingrid before I ring your friend, but please may I have her telephone number?’
Colette and she quickly exchanged numbers.
‘Before I forget, can you tell your mum that if she is still interested in a painting, I’ve got my workshop up and running now. But if she’s changed her mind, that’s fine.’
‘She definitely wants you to do one for her. I expect she’ll be in touch once I tell her you are ready for commissions.’
As Colette wandered across to talk to Eliza, Sasha made her way towards Ingrid and Peter. ‘Can I ask you about renting one of the stables please? Colette has mentioned the possibility of the loan of a horse.’
Ingrid smiled. ‘Of course you can. It will be lovely to have another horse back in the stables.’
‘Thank you. There’s something else I need to talk to you about,’ Sasha said. ‘I found an old, sealed parcel in the attic.’ She glanced quickly across at Eliza, hoping she couldn’t hear theconversation. ‘It was addressed to Eliza. When I went to see her about it, she told me to throw it away unopened.’ Sasha shook her head. ‘I really can’t do that as it’s from anotaire. Would you be witnesses and open it with me please?’
‘Of course, Ingrid and I will happily be with you to open the box,’ Peter said. ‘Maybe we can try a bit of subterfuge and try to persuade Eliza to be here too? Offer her a champagne afternoon tea in the orangery as a thanks for all her help with the serviettes and the curtains.’
‘I truly don’t think she cares about the contents of the parcel after all these years,’ Sasha said. ‘But a champagne tea might do the trick.’
‘I’ll work out a suitable day,’ Ingrid said.
‘Thank you.’ Sasha gave a grateful sigh.
As people began to leave, Ingrid called out, ‘Enjoy summer and hope to see you all for the first meeting of autumn in September. And please don’t forget to support the fete here on the afternoon of Bastille Day.’
Lucas joined Penny as she started to collect the dirty cups and glasses. ‘Would you like spending an afternoon in the Valley of the Saints with me tomorrow?’ he asked quietly. ‘I need to talk to you.’
Penny nodded. ‘Yes, I could fancy that if I knew what the Valley of the Saints was?’
