Page 37 of A French Inheritance
‘Well, there you go, Mr Sceptical. Feel happier? Less stressed?’
Elliot gave a surprised nod. ‘I do actually.’
‘That will be the calming phytoncides chemicals that the tree emits. No need to thank me,’ Briony said. ‘I need to get back. Night.’
‘Night,’ Elliot said. ‘And thank you,’ he called out to her retreating back. Briony raised an arm in acknowledgement but didn’t turn around.
* * *
The next morning, Briony smiled to herself as she ate her breakfast, remembering Elliot’s obvious embarrassment over the tree hugging. Expecting him to walk away, she’d been surprised when he’d accepted the challenge she’d thrown at him. The fact that he’d stayed hugging the tree for several minutes had to mean that he had connected with not just the tree but with mindfulness deep in himself. Now the question was – would he do it again? She doubted that she’d ever know the answer to that question.
After breakfast, Briony set off for the farm for her second Thursday as Lucy’s Girl Friday.
Lucy was on her own in the kitchen when Briony walked in.
‘Let’s go straight to the office,’ she said. ‘I’m hoping you can do a couple of hours’ admin this morning?’
‘Whatever you want me to do,’ Briony said. ‘Did we get any firm bookings for the Stables?’
‘Yes, thanks to you. Both are booked for Easter. The Cider House has a repeat booking, so for the first time all three gîtes are booked. There’s also been several bookings for next month too, as well as enquiries for later in the year.’
‘That’s great.’
‘I’ve got your lease here ready for you to sign.’ Lucy opened a folder and took out a piece of A4 paper. ‘It’s just a formal agreement between the three of us, protects you and us. It’s a one-year lease, with an option to renew, three months’ notice on either side, rent is due quarterly and a quarter’s rent is paid as a refundable deposit when you leave, provided the unit is left in a good state. You sign there and date it and I’ll do the same here. Happy?’
‘It’s really happening, isn’t it?’ Briony said as she signed the paper. ‘I can’t chicken out now, can I?’
Lucy looked anxious. ‘Are you having second thoughts? I can tear up the lease right now if you want me to and we’ll forget it was ever mooted.’
Briony shook her head. ‘Oh no, I really want to do this. It’s just a little scary thinking about having my own business.’
‘I know that feeling,’ Lucy said sympathetically. ‘Adam has always been his own boss, but when I married him, I found the uncertainties of being self-employed overwhelming, but it soon became a way of life for me. It’ll be fine, you’ll see.’ Lucy put the lease back in the folder. ‘Have you got a name for the business?’
Briony shook her head. ‘No. I’m going to have a brainstorming session with the laptop soon!’
Lucy handed over the lease.
‘Thank you,’ Briony said before glancing at Lucy. ‘Can I talk to you about Elliot?’
Lucy gave her a surprised look. ‘Of course.’
‘He was extremely kind and helpful over Pascal, I made supper as a thank you and we had a good evening. I thought we were becoming friends, and then I met him down by the lake yesterday and he was stressed and horribly moody at first if I’m honest, although he was better before I left him. Is he like that with everyone, blowing hot and cold, or is it me that rubs him up the wrong way without meaning to?’ Briony shook her head. ‘I can’t make him out.’
Lucy sighed. ‘He’s not really been himself since all the trouble last year. He used to be as even-tempered as Adam. Nothing ever fazed him. I’ve noticed, though, that the slightest thing can set him off these days. Since he’s been working again, he’s been a lot better, but I do know he had a letter yesterday which wound him up. And also Robyn – his ex-wife – has been trying to get in touch.’
‘Well, it’s a relief it’s not just me,’ Briony said.
‘I probably shouldn’t say this,’ Lucy said quietly. ‘I think the problem is that since Robyn, he has had trust issues and he’s frightened of getting too close to anybody at the moment and keeps backing off.’
‘Okay.’ Briony nodded. She could identify with that, although she wasn’t about to say that to Lucy.
‘You’ll need to give him time if you want to be friends.’ Lucy gave Briony a quizzical look. ‘I don’t know whether you know, but Robyn was – is – an investigative journalist, and TV presenter, she’s all over the media sites on the internet,’ Lucy said. ‘Maybe do your own investigation of what she writes? Might give you some idea of what she put him through until he tells you himself. Cup of tea and a slice of cake before you leave?’ she said as she strolled to the kitchen.
Briony stared after her. Lucy clearly wasn’t going to gossip about her brother-in-law but had indicated that if she really wanted to know she could find out for herself with a couple of clicks on the computer.
28
Thursday afternoon and Elliot was in the recovery room at the practice checking on the three cats and one rabbit that had been neutered that morning and could hear Julian talking gently to a crying woman in his consulting room.
