The Life and Times of Arnaud Morin
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her. And with their son. At first he thought she hadn't heard. But no, she'd heard. She was choosing not to answer.
She then made her reply. 'I don't think you are leaving me, you won't get a reference from Maman and you don't have any money. Oh but if you do go, you're welcome to Jacques.'
'You bitch!' He could not believe she had said those words. Life was taking on a real edge.
They did not speak for three days, when they did it was Margaux as if continuing on from their recent conversation.
'I won't give you a divorce. Papa will make things difficult for you. Anyway you have your work here to consider, the patients would not be happy.'
He was about to bite back but was summoned to the phone by his assistant. He was in a foul mood and dropped the phone on the floor, the chord got twisted he was cursing whilst he picked it up convinced that he had cut the caller off. When he finally got the phone to his ear he issued an abrupt greeting. Two minutes later and he had been offered an interview at the Pharmaceutical Company the next day. Better still he would find out if he was successful the same day. At last a real escape route.
Margaux came down to breakfast two days later to find his bags were packed. She demanded to know his intentions.
'I'm off.' He left with a promise to Jacques that he would come for him soon. The accommodation issue was solved as well. Giles' tenant was due to move out soon, he would live in the flat over the garage business.
He left Le Pharmacie on the Friday and moved into the flat on the Monday.
Arnaud Morin took his son and their dog and moved to a town near his new work. In the course of his work he met a fellow researcher Simone Noiret. They had a conventional courtship and had a planned birth of a daughter.
Giles kept in touch and up to date with the gossip. One year on and the Mayor had left his wife and taken up residence with Madame Arment. Margaux had finally got a job, working for a vineyard near Cognac and started to see Gregoire.
His wife sublet the Pharmacie due to ill health and placed an advertisement for a live in maid. The ad was vague as to exactly who or where this employment was available. It was seen by Mimi who wanted to move into the town from the farm. Her 'retainer' had long since finished and she applied. She received a letter in return and was of course surprised to find out the identity of the employer. But she needed a job; she was the only applicant and was hired. Madame Arment was first to break the news to all and sundry. Monsieur Mayor just shook his head and said 'Interesting interview.' Jacques never saw his mother or his grandparents again. Something that did not bother him. He recognised love when he saw it and when he didn't.
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The Life and Times of Arnaud Morin