Page 44 of A French Inheritance
Briony took a deep breath. ‘I’ve got some exciting news. I’ve decided that I’m going to use my knowledge of antiques to open a brocante. I know I’m not an expert in any particular branch of antiques, but I know a little about a lot of different items. Importantly, I know a couple of experts who I can always ask for advice. I’ve rented the empty artisan building on the farm from Lucy and Adam,’ Briony said, anxiously watching her mother for her reaction.
‘What a brilliant idea,’ Jeannie said. ‘You know I’ll help you as much as I can.’
‘I was hoping you’d say that. We’ll walk up later and I’ll show you the inside. I’ve taken up some boxes from the garage and stuff from the house, but I was waiting for you to return to make sure I’m not planning on selling anything you want to keep. The handcart and the bicycle are going to be turned into flower containers and one or the other will be placed outside the unit. The parrot cage, still thinking about that. Do you remember ever seeing a parrot here in the cottage?’
Jeannie shook her head. ‘I don’t remember there ever being a parrot here, but I do remember your dad saying his grandparents had one when he was little. He hated it flying free around the cottage.’
‘Sounds like I’ve got a vintage parrot cage then,’ Briony said, laughing. ‘Must be worth a fortune. Those hot cross buns were delicious. Are you ready to walk up to the farm now?’
‘I need to talk to you first,’ Jeannie said. ‘About Yann,’ she added when Briony raised her eyebrows at her.
‘He’s more than a friend, isn’t he?’ Briony said, remembering the look that had passed between the two at the lunch in the village the first week they were here.
‘He wants to be,’ Jeannie said slowly. ‘How do you feel about that? I don’t want you to feel I’m forgetting your dad.’
‘Mum, Dad’s been gone for several years – of course I don’t think that. You’re only sixty this year, you’ve got lots of years ahead of you. If you have feelings for Yann, then go with the flow. See what happens. You deserve to be happy with someone new. You’ve both known each other a long time, it’s not as if you’re two strangers having to get to know each other. When did you start to grow close?’
‘After your dad died, both Yann and Evette telephoned me every couple of months. When Evette passed, Yann continued to telephone me, especially after Giselle moved over when he regularly phoned to talk to her. As her health declined, he’d talk to me. He knew how I was feeling, what I was going through. He’s a very kind man,’ Jeannie said, hesitating, wondering just how much she dared to tell Briony. ‘And I do like him a lot. I always have, but I never expected to be able to have a relationship with him.’
‘I’m sure Dad would be pleased at the thought of his best mate taking care of his wife.’
Briony pushed her chair back, stood up and began to clear the lunch things. Jeannie started to help her, knowing that was one remark she didn’t dare to acknowledge or answer. Because the truth was she knew that Jeromé would have been far from pleased about this particular new man in her life. He’d always done his best to keep them apart.
‘Easter Sunday lunch – invite Yann,’ Briony said. ‘We can do roast lamb – and I can thank him for collecting you from the airport. And then I shall grill him about his intentions regarding you!’ Briony laughed at the expression on her mum’s face.
‘Don’t you dare,’ Jeannie said, laughing as Briony’s words cut through the tension she was feeling.
34
Briony and Jeannie walked up through the fields with Meg so that Jeannie could see inside Briony’s unit. Both Holly and Calvin were open and they met Holly’s daughter, three-year-old Carla, for the first time. Carla immediately wanted to pet Meg, who rolled over for her tummy to be scratched.
‘I’m planning on opening the brocante in time for the summer and when I’m ready, I’m going to do an advert in theNice Matin. Hopefully I’ll be able to have an advertorial rather than a straightforward advertisement,’ Briony said to Holly and Calvin. ‘I was thinking of taking a picture showing all three units to use in the advert, are you both happy with that?’
Calvin agreed instantly. ‘Great idea. Happy to chip in with the cost.’
Briony, who had seen the fleeting look of worry cross Holly’s face and realised she couldn’t afford to offer anything, said quickly, ‘No. I’m not asking either of you to contribute to the advertisement. But rather than picture one unit, it’s better to show everything that is available up here. You okay with that?’ she added, looking at Holly.
‘Thanks, that’s great.’
Leaving the units Briony and Jeannie made their way back down through the farm fields to the lake, where Meg went for a swim and Briony and Jeannie sat on the bench.
‘Before I forget, Lucy has invited us for supper this evening up at the farm. She wants us to meet Hannah and Debs, their daughters. I did accept on your behalf.’ Briony looked at her mum. ‘Are you free or have you arranged to meet Yann?’
Jeannie shook her head. ‘No. I’m free.’
‘Good.’
‘It’s lovely here. Giselle loved it by the lake. I wonder…’ Jeannie stopped.
‘What are you wondering?’ Briony said.
‘Granny’s ashes came over with Gerry,’ Jeannie said quietly, looking around. ‘They are in one of the boxes in my room. Maybe this would be a lovely place to scatter them? She loved the garden too, so perhaps there would be better. What do you think?’
Briony was silent for half a moment, trying to think which place would be better. ‘For selfish reasons, I think the garden. I like the idea of her being close, staying in a place she loved that is now mine.’
‘That’s what we will do then. Scatter her ashes down near the old trees under the owls’ nest in the garden.’
‘Just the two of us saying a final goodbye? Or do you think we should have a little memorial gathering for people here? I know Granny wasn’t a fan of either funerals or memorials.’
