Page 55 of A French Country Escape
‘Definitely,’ Penny answered.
‘Wow,’ Alice said as they walked into the large kitchen a few moments later. ‘This is a wonderful space. You’ll cook up a storm in here.’
‘Come upstairs, I want to show you something.’
‘How many bedrooms has the house got?’ Alice asked.
‘Four, but I think one could be used as an office.’ Penny glanced at her friend as she opened the door of one of the rooms. ‘If I start doing outside catering as well as opening a small cookery school, I’m going to need an assistant for the admin and the marketing, as well as organising some events in the château. To start with I can only afford a part-time assistant – or a freelance one who uses this as her office for her own business as well. Would you be interested?’
There was a short silence as Alice looked at her. ‘Are you serious?’
‘I wouldn’t have mentioned it otherwise. Of course, there’s the small question of renovating the place, but Lucas is keen to help with that.’ Penny gave Alice a mischievous grin. ‘If we start with the kitchen and this room, we can both be up and running at the same time.’
‘I’ll need to pay rent,’ Alice said. ‘And we’ll have to draw up a proper agreement for both our sakes.’
‘We can sort all the paperwork no problem, if you think it’s a good idea?’
Alice nodded. ‘I think it’s a great idea. Thank you.’
After Alice had left, Penny walked back to the château and found Ingrid and Peter in the sitting room about to have aperitifs before supper. Penny accepted the gin and tonic her father poured for her and raised her glass as they all said ‘Santé’.
‘I know you’re on tenterhooks about me staying or not staying so…’ She took a deep breath. ‘I’d love to stay here with you and accept your generous offer of bothLa Maison du Jardinierand taking over the catering for the château.’
Ingrid tried to wipe her happy tears away unseen as Peter said, ‘Good. We hoped you would.’
‘There is one other thing. Alice is going to start a freelance events business, working from one of the rooms inLa Maison du Jardinier. She is also going to do my admin and organise eventshere at the château. I think we all agree that is good news.’ And Penny raised her glass in a toast. ‘To Alice.’
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Ingrid was in the château’s entrance hall the next day polishing Merlin and keeping an ear out for Peter’s parents arriving. As soon as she heard their car, she called out to Penny who was in the kitchen, ‘Granny and Grandad are here,’ before she opened the heavy oak front door. She knew Victoria, her mother-in-law, would take delight in walking in through that entrance rather than the back door. Penny quickly joined her and the two of them went down the steps to greet Edward and Victoria Chevalier.
After taking her grandparents’ cases upstairs, Penny joined them and Ingrid in the kitchen where coffee and fresh patisseries were being enjoyed. ‘Where’s Dad?’
‘He’ll be back soon. Just popped into the village for something,’ Ingrid said. ‘Before I forget, will you tell Sasha about postponing the champagne tea, please.’
‘I’ll wander down after coffee and one of these delicious almond slices,’ Penny said. ‘I know the four of you will have a lot of catching up to do.’
Peter was back before Penny made her excuses and left to find Sasha.
Walking down towards the cottage, Penny saw Sasha disappearing in the direction of the old chapel. She called out, ‘Sasha, wait for me,’ as she started to follow her.
Sasha turned at the sound of her voice; she stopped when she saw Penny and waited for her. ‘Hi. Something wrong?’
Penny shook her head. ‘Not really, but my grandparents have arrived and with Eliza refusing outright to come for the champagne tea, Mum thought we’d be better off postponing it for a few more days.’
‘I’m not surprised Eliza said no, to be honest,’ Sasha said. ‘I don’t suppose another few days’ delay will make any difference after all this time.’ She turned to carry on walking. ‘Freddie’s working in the chapel and I thought I’d have a quick look.’
‘Mind if I join you? I’d like another look inside.’
‘I heard all about the trouble with your ex turning up, but how was your actual date with Lucas?’ Sasha asked.
‘Good – no, better than that. It was lovely,’ Penny said, feeling herself starting to blush. ‘I’ve finally admitted to myself how much I like Lucas and he seems to like me too. We’re going to take things slowly, but as we’re both staying in France now, we have time.’
‘What about his job?’
‘He’s looking for a change of direction,’ Penny said, feeling it wasn’t her place to tell anyone about why Lucas had quit his job.
The door of the chapel was ajar when they reached it and Sasha pushed it open. Freddie was on his knees repairing the wooden steps leading to the round granite pulpit and raised his hand in greeting. The rostrum was attached to the wall at the side of the undressed altar table with its cross on the stones behind. An uneven slate floor, several memorial plaques screwed in place on otherwise plain white surfaces and two small beautiful, stained-glass windows across from the pulpit were the only decorative items.
