Page 70 of Never Too Late
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Sash was currently gazing out across the crowd, her back slightly towards us, clearly pretending she was nothing to do with me. Tomas’s gaze shifted to Sash then back to me and he pulled a face, his just-generous-enough mouth turning down before tipping back into a grin. I mirrored his expression and mouthed the word ‘Oops’ at him.
‘Sorry,’ he mouthed back.
For a moment, we both just stood there, eyes taking in perhaps the changes, but also all that was familiar.
‘Kitty—’
‘Bonsoir!Bonsoir! I’m so sorry I am late.’ The young man burst the fragile bubble between us as he rushed towards us, firing rapid French at Tomas, clasping him by the upper arms and dropping two kisses before they hugged warmly.
‘Pardon,’ he added as he pulled away.
‘Pas probleme,’ I replied.
Whoever this handsome, ebullient man was, it was clear Tomas was thrilled to see him. His whole being had lit up, eyes sparkling with pleasure as he received the new guest.
‘Is Aunt Gabby here?’
‘But of course.’
‘Ah,oui.’ He laughed then took in Sasha who had now either forgiven or forgotten that her mother was an embarrassment and had turned back to join us. It wasn’t hard to see why.
‘Benoit, this is Kitty Collins, and her daughter, Sasha. They’ve very recently moved to Paris.’ There was a flicker of recognition as Tomas said my name but it was quickly smothered. So, he knew.
‘Kitty, Sasha, this is my godson, Benoit. As I mentioned, he now, very efficiently and successfully, runs the vineyard.’ We greeted each other as Gabby once more approached us.
‘Benoit,mon chéri. I see you have met our friends,’ she said as she kissed his cheeks.
‘Just now, yes.’ Benoit’s gaze, and smile, returned to Sasha. ‘Are you enjoying the exhibition?’
‘Yes, thank you. Your godfather is very talented.’
Benoit pulled an unimpressed face and pushed out his bottom lip. ‘He has his moments.’ He leant a little closer to Sash. ‘Although I’m not entirely convinced these aren’t all paint by numbers.’ He grinned and she returned it. ‘Now, I see you have an empty glass. Would you allow me to get you another champagne?’
‘Perhaps some food would be a good idea too, Benoit. The poor girl hasn’t had a chance to eat yet,’ Gabby instructed.
‘Oh, yes, that would be great.’ Sash looked up at him. ‘If you don’t mind.’
‘Pas de tout. I’m also famished. Let’s go and see what we can find.’
‘Your English is excellent,’ Sash began as they walked away, her hand resting on Benoit’s proffered arm.
‘Thank you. I actually studied…’ The rest was lost to me but I knew I’d be getting a full run-down later.
‘Everything OK?’ Tomas asked his sister.
‘Parfait. But you really ought to mingle a little more, Tomas. We’ve spoken about this.’
Colour crept up my chest. ‘Sorry, that’s my fault. We’ve been hogging him all evening. I didn’t even think. Sorry,’ I said again. ‘I’ll let you go mingle.’ I wiggled my fingers to signal said mingling.
Tomas caught my hand and wrapped his own around it. ‘And, as I say to my dear sister each time, I am an artist, not a salesman. People will buy if they want to. I would rather they choose of their own accord and not because they feel obligated while they’re talking to me in front of a piece.’
The thought that people could feel obligated to buy a six-figure piece of art flittered through my mind. I’d occasionally bought a pack of tea towels at the door for the same reason but that was hardly the same thing.
‘Plus,’ he turned his eyes to me and my gaze met his automatically, ‘I’m looking after our VIP.’
‘You do remember the A-list actor that was here a while ago?’ I asked him.
