by Fiona Valpy
‘They all wanted me to bring you straight there, but I thought you’d be tired after all that travelling. And anyway, I want you to myself for one night at least, before you are claimed by two hundred children and their mothers...’
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I have hundreds of photos from that week in South Sudan, taken to show the folks back home who have given their time and their money and their love to bring a little extra joy to children who need it. The Chez Lucie feeding station will help ensure some hungry bellies are filled, some babies given the nourishment they need, which can be so hard to come by in this troubled, turbulent land. Some of my favourite pictures are of the smiles, those eyes that have seen so much fear and pain shining, for this moment at least, with the light of pure joy.
But my very favourite moment of all wasn’t captured on camera.
I was holding a tiny baby girl in the camp, cradling her in my arms as she guzzled hungrily from her bottle, when Didier came into the tent. He hunkered down in front of us, watching my face, and I raised my eyes to his. ‘Just getting in a little practice,’ I said to him, keeping my expression serious, being careful not to give away the happiness that was bubbling through my veins and threatening to overflow, at any moment, in a messy combination of laughter and tears. ‘Because,’ I went on, ‘I guess in, oh, about seven months’ time, I’m going to be needing it.’
There was a moment’s pause as I looked back down at the perfect curve of the infant’s cheek, brushed by her lashes as, sated finally, her eyes began to close.
And then Didier put a hand on my arm. ‘Evie, do you mean...?’ He couldn’t finish the sentence for the big lump of hope that had lodged itself in his throat. And then his eyes lit up, realisation dawning like a sunrise in winter.
He looked searchingly into my face. ‘But how are you feeling? Have you been okay?’
‘I’m good. A little tired, but the nausea hasn’t been nearly as bad this time. The doctor says she’s going to keep a close watch on things, but everything’s looking fine; I should be okay to travel for a few months more.’
Then he gathered me into his arms. And as we held each other tight, I whispered, so as not to wake the baby sleeping in my arms, ‘Let’s tell everyone on Christmas Eve, once your parents have arrived in Boston. When we’re all there. The whole family, together...’
A letter from Fiona
Thank you so much for reading The French for Christmas. I hope that Evie’s journey has entertained, moved and inspired you. If you, or someone close to you, has been affected by stillbirth or miscarriage, there is a further message for you at the end of this book.
Christmas is a time for giving and, in buying this book, you have helped make a difference. I have pledged to donate 10% of any royalties I receive from sales of The French for Christmas to the charity Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) in support of their work all over the world, providing care and medical aid where it’s needed most. Please visit my website www.fionavalpy.com for more details and updates. And you can find out more about Médecins Sans Frontières at www.msf.org
If you enjoyed this book, I’d be so grateful if you’d write a review. I love getting feedback and your review can help other readers find my books.
Finally, if you’d like to receive and email when my next book is released, you can sign up to my mailing list using the link below. I’ll only send emails when I have a new book to share and I won’t share your email address with anyone else.
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With thanks and best wishes,
Fiona
@fionavalpy
fiona.valpy
www.fionavalpy.com
Also by Fiona Valpy
Click the link to view on Amazon:
The French for Love
The French for Always
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THE FRENCH FOR LOVE
Can happy-ever-after get lost in translation?
Gina has lost her perfect job, her boyfriend and her favourite aunt all within the space of a few months. So when she inherits her aunt’s ramshackle French house, Gina decides to pack her bags for the Bordeaux countryside – swapping English weather for blue skies, sunshine, great wine and a fresh start.
What she hasn’t factored in is a hole in the roof, the most embarrassing language faux pas, and discovering family secrets that she was never supposed to know.
Suddenly feeling a long way from home, Gina will have to rely on new found friends, her own hard work – and Cédric – her charming, mysterious and très handsome new stonemason.
But whilst desire needs no translation, love is a different matter. Can Gina overcome the language barrier to make her French dream come true?
View The French for Love on Amazon
* * *
THE FRENCH FOR ALWAYS
Five weddings. The perfect venue. One little hitch…
Leaving the grey skies of home behind to transform a crumbling French Château into a boutique wedding venue is a huge leap of faith for Sara. She and fiancé Gavin sink their life savings into the beautiful Château Bellevue – set under blue skies and surrounded by vineyards in the heart of Bordeaux.
After months of hard work, the dream starts to become a reality – until Gavin walks out halfway through their first season. Overnight, Sara is left very much alone with the prospect of losing everything.
With her own heart breaking, Sara has five weddings before the end of the season to turn the business around and rescue her dreams. With the help of the locals and a little French courage, can she save Château Bellevue before the summer is over?
View The French for Always on Amazon
Stillbirth: sources of support
Whilst the vast majority of pregnancies in developed countries end in the safe and joyful arrival of a healthy baby, stillbirth is the sad outcome in a small proportion of cases. If this has happened to you, or to someone close to you, then I’m so sorry: you have my deepest sympathy and I send you a hug of condolence. I hope you have the loving support of friends and family to help you and that you can find the time and space you need to grieve. And I hope too that, like Evie, when the time is right you will find the strength and the courage to live your life with joy, on behalf of the child you’ve lost.
More support, advice and information, as well as lists of other organisations that can offer support, are available here:
In the UK: www.uk-sands.org (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity)
In the USA: www.firstcandle.org (offers a free brochure, Surviving Stillbirth)