Page 23 of Secrets Beneath a Riviera Sky
23
Over the next few days the four of them settled into, not exactly a routine, but a definite French way of living. Theo had his daily habits, croissants and coffee first thing, a walk along the harbour and then up to the Marché Forville for the day’s food before returning to the cottage and planning the rest of the day. Agnes soon found herself drawn into the rhythm of his life. A rhythm of living she’d forgotten existed but one she drew pleasure from and was enjoying living.
Life for Francine and Zazz too was slowly evolving into a distinct pattern. Zazz ran every morning, usually meeting up with Mel, before returning with the croissants for breakfast, which they ate together companionably, if silently, in the kitchen. One morning Mel went back with her for breakfast after their run and Zazz introduced her to Francine.
‘Mel’s dad owns the cafe where we had coffee a couple of mornings ago,’ Zazz said, putting fresh croissants on a plate. Francine, pouring coffees, turned to look at Mel.
‘You’re Piers’s daughter, Armelle?’
‘Nobody ever calls me that but yeah, that’s me. You know my papa?’
‘A long time ago,’ Francine smiled. ‘Your maman too. Do you work in the cafe like your brothers?’
‘Sometimes if it’s busy like at festival time but I’m busy with my own business in summer.’
‘Mel manages some holiday lets,’ Zazz said. ‘She’s keeping an ear out for somewhere for me to rent, in case I can’t stay here.’ She looked at her mother, hoping to goad her into answering.
‘Something Granny and I still have to discuss,’ Francine said. Determined not to be drawn into a row in front of Mel.
‘I had a glass of wine with Piers on his boat the other evening,’ she said. ‘It’s a beautiful boat – do you sail?’
Mel laughed. ‘That boat is Papa’s mid-life crisiscadeauto himself.Mais oui, Papa taught us all to sail. I try to go out for a sail with him every week. Zazz, if you sail you might like to come at the weekend?’
‘I’m a dinghy girl, not used to proper yachts,’ Zazz said, laughing.
‘Sails are sails, some are just bigger than others,’ Mel grinned at her, before picking up her coffee and finishing it. ‘I’d better go. Lots to do today. Thank you for breakfast.’
‘I’ll see you tomorrow,’ Zazz said and went to the door to say goodbye.
Left alone, Francine stared out at the neglected courtyard through the kitchen window wondering if it was worth the effort of cleaning it up and making it user friendly again. If Zazz was going to stay here for at least a few weeks, it would be a useful outdoor space. Having it clear and clean for house viewings when the house went on the market would be good too.
‘Penny for them?’ Zazz said, returning. ‘You look miles away.’
‘Thinking about the courtyard. Whether it’s worth clearing it out and eating out there.’
‘Shouldn’t take long,’ Zazz said. ‘I planned on doing it for Oscar when I moved in. But I suppose it depends on how long you’re going to let me stay here.’
‘If you stay at all,’ Francine said sharply. ‘Although Granny doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to make another rendez-vous with the notaire or to kickstart the DNA tests that sound inevitable.’ She hesitated. ‘I honestly thought we’d come over, see the notaire, start clearing the house, have a bit of a holiday and then go home. I was not expecting a complication called Serge Cortez.’
‘Granny didn’t seem that surprised though, did she?’ Zazz said quietly.
Francine gave her a sharp look. ‘What d’you mean?’
‘Didn’t you see her after she asked that one question, how old is he? She simply nodded thoughtfully, as if his age meant something to her.’
Francine was silent for a few seconds. ‘My father wasn’t the best of fathers and he certainly wasn’t the most faithful of husbands. As for being the kindly grandfather you seem to think he would have been if you’d met him years ago there never was a chance of that happening.’
‘Mum, I know that,’ Zazz said. ‘But I did have the right to meet him and make up my own mind about him.’
Francine gave her a questioning look. ‘And have you?’
‘Honestly? The couple of times I met him I thought he was a very manipulative man. Charming when he wanted to be but I’m glad I never crossed him, which I probably would have done living here, if he hadn’t died.’
‘Yes, you probably would have clashed – luckily you didn’t get to find out just how evil a man he was.’
‘Mum, that’s a bit strong. Evil?’
‘No, it’s not. In fact it sums him up perfectly.’ Francine took a deep breath. ‘Right, what are we up to today?’
