The Vineyard in Alsace

by Julie Stock

I didn’t know what to say to that but deep down, I couldn’t help thinking he was right. He gave me one last hug and we turned to go back inside.

  ‘Are you okay?’ my mum asked.

  ‘I’m fine,’ I lied and she knew it.

  ‘At least you have the wedding to look forward to tomorrow,’ she said and then, realising her mistake, she gasped and blushed furiously. ‘Oh, what am I saying?’

  ‘Don’t worry, I know what you meant. I am looking forward to it. It will be lovely to see Amandine and some of my other university friends again. It will be a good distraction.’

  We all went off for an early night but I lay awake for a long time, still thinking about Paul to some extent but also about Didier.

  Didier

  After my usual early morning inspection of the vines and a chat with the workers on shift, I took a leisurely drive down towards Hunawihr, remembering at the last minute to put the car seat in for Chlöe. It would be good to spend the weekend with her. I had plans to sort out her room in the château and to ask her what toys she’d like to bring over to keep at my place.

  I felt slightly awkward in my suit as I now spent most of my days in t-shirts and jeans, adding a jumper and a jacket only when the weather changed with the seasons. I’d hung my suit jacket in the back of the car before I set off in the hope I would feel more comfortable driving without it. The shirt and tie were already beginning to annoy me though, and I had to force myself not to roll up my sleeves and undo the top button. I wanted to look smart for once, for the wedding, and I didn’t want to ruin the effect.

  It was a lovely sunny morning as I drove south along the wine route and I enjoyed looking at the rows and rows of vines, now heavy with fruit, swaying gently in the breeze. The bunches of grapes were ripening to maturity as the season drew to an end, and winemakers everywhere would be checking sugar levels obsessively. It was always a dilemma deciding when to start the harvest because it depended so much on the weather: too early and there wouldn’t be enough sugar in the grapes, and too late might mean the grapes were hit by early autumn frosts. Still, I was excited about the harvest, even though it was the most frantic time of the year for the estate and would be stressful while it was happening. If everything went well, there would be some wonderful celebrations afterwards and that always felt good.

  I felt myself unwind as I got closer and closer to the village and I wondered if this day away from my own worries was all I needed. I knew Laurent and his new wife-to-be were having the civil ceremony beforehand for very close family and that the rest of the guests were gathering at the church afterwards. As I approached the village, I could see the ancient church perched up on its hill overlooking things and the unusual fortified cemetery surrounding it. It was picture postcard perfect. I found somewhere to park and, realising I’d arrived a bit early, I did a tour of the village to get my bearings. I found the Salle des Fêtes where the reception would be held, and then it was time to go and find my seat in the church.

  Inside the slightly darkened building, I was surprised to note just how many guests were already there. I glanced round to see if Isabelle had arrived with Chlöe but there was no sign of her. She was always on the late side so I hadn’t really expected to see her. I found myself a seat along a wooden pew and left a place for Chlöe next to me. I explained to the older lady on the other side so she would know I wasn’t being rude and then we chatted for a few minutes about how we both knew Laurent. She was one of his mother’s friends, in fact, and had known him since he was a little boy. After a natural break in the conversation, I glanced round again to look for Chlöe and Isabelle but instead of them, I saw Fran entering the church, searching for somewhere to sit.

  Fran

  The sun was already shining when my dad dropped me off at the church for Amandine’s wedding ceremony. I was glad I’d chosen to wear a short-sleeved wrap dress for the day ahead, although I had brought along a jacket as well just in case it turned chilly later on. As I passed through the gates towards the 15th century stone building, I was struck by how I’d never seen another church quite like it. It was situated on a small hillside, overlooking the village and surrounded by vineyards, and its steeple was just like a turret on a romantic castle. The church building surrounded the steeple in a circular shape and the grounds were surrounded by an outer wall, to protect it from attack in days gone by. The charming setting appealed to the romantic in me. I stopped still for a moment, enjoying the peace and the beautiful view of the vineyards all around. I wondered whether there still was a romantic in me after all that had happened in the last few days but, even as I processed that thought, I knew that my natural optimism had already begun to bounce back and that I would get past it all with time. I came out of my reverie and started walking towards the door of the ancient church once again.

  As soon as I stepped inside, the cooler air enveloped me and I had to wait for my eyes to adjust to the dim light. I walked down the nave looking in each pew for a suitable seat. I was hoping to see someone I knew from my university days so I could feel a bit more at ease among all these strangers. Then I heard someone call my name. I glanced round quickly and spotted Didier sitting on one of the pews halfway down the church.

  ‘You arrived early, then,’ I said, sitting down next to him.

  ‘Yes, I had an easy journey down here this morning.’ He gave me one of his intoxicating smiles. ‘How’s your weekend going so far?’

  ‘Fine, thank you.’ I noticed there was an empty space on his other side and I really wanted to ask him about it but didn’t have the courage. Besides, I knew it wasn’t really any of my business. He caught me looking there before I could pretend otherwise but he didn’t say anything. Feeling awkward, I wished I’d followed etiquette and sat on the other side of the church since I was for the bride but I didn’t want to seem rude by moving. Instead, I edged a bit further away along the pew, noticing just how closely I’d been sitting next to him.

  As I looked around the church, three older people walked in and sat on opposite sides of the front row. I assumed they were the bride’s mother and the groom’s parents. Then Laurent, Amandine’s fiancé, arrived looking very handsome in his navy suit but also a bit nervous, fiddling with his tie as he talked with his parents and best man. I’d only met Laurent a few times but it was obvious how much he loved Amandine and I hoped that they would be very happy together. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a little girl walking along the row towards me. I turned to look at her. An attractive woman, dressed in a bright-red leather jacket, black pencil skirt and a killer pair of heels stood at the end of the row watching the little girl as she walked along. She didn’t follow her. When the little girl reached my side, I stood up to let her pass and the next thing I knew, she had thrown herself on to Didier’s lap and was covering his face with kisses.

  ‘Comment ça va, mignonne?’ he whispered in her ear. As I watched, transfixed by this sight, I saw Didier glance at the woman and nod. To my surprise, she turned to leave without saying a word. I snapped my head back to Didier, my mind full of queries but, before I could say anything, an organ started to play announcing Amandine’s arrival. I had no chance to ask the questions that were almost bursting from my lips.

  Amandine looked gorgeous in a simple satin off-the-shoulder wedding dress. Her father looked as proud as a parent could possibly be as he walked slowly at her side towards Laurent, who was beaming at his bride. I heard the little girl gasp and when I looked over, she was straining from her vantage point in Didier’s arms to see Amandine in her beautiful dress.

  ‘La dame est très belle, Papa, n’est-ce pas? Elle est comme une princesse!’

  I had to smile at her excited little voice. Didier’s face was the picture of happiness and unconditional love for his young daughter. Things really had changed for Didier while I had been away. I wasn’t sure whether I was more stunned by his gorgeous wife, or by the fact that he was a father.

  Didier

  The wedding ceremony passed smoothly.
Soon, Laurent and his bride were walking back down the aisle as husband and wife. I noticed Amandine glance over at Fran on the way and give her a little wave, as well as a proud smile, as if she couldn’t believe her good fortune. I was pleased for them both.

  Fran made her way to the end of the pew to join the other guests as they left the church. I picked Chlöe up and followed, answering all her questions about the ceremony. I was relieved to be back in the fresh air and to feel some sunshine on my skin. I knew Chlöe would love it too. Once outside, I set her down gently on the ground, took her hand and made my way over to a grassy patch to let her have a run around. She looked adorable in her pale blue dress as she toddled across the grass, stopping to study each and every thing she spotted. Once I was sure she was okay, I turned round to search for Fran. She seemed to be trying to find people she knew on the other side of the churchyard. She saw me looking and I gave her a smile that I hoped would melt her reserve and persuade her to join us. I knew she had her barriers up after the conversation we’d had the day before, not to mention the fact that she now knew I was married with a child. The smile must have worked because she gave in and came over to join me at the edge of the grass.

  ‘I imagine you have a lot of questions for me,’ I said as she came level with me.

  ‘I do but I also know that it’s none of my business to ask, especially after what I said yesterday about keeping our relationship on a professional footing.’ I appreciated her honesty.

  I cleared my throat. ‘I was married, Fran, but my wife left me last year and she took our daughter, Chlöe, with her when she went. Chlöe lives with her mum but we have an informal agreement that she spends time with me whenever we can arrange it. Things are obviously not that good between my wife and me, which makes everything difficult.’ I sighed and rubbed the heels of my hands over my face.

  ‘How old is Chlöe?’

  ‘She’s nearly three.’

  There was a long pause while Fran processed what I’d told her. I waited for her to take it all in and wondered if she would ask any more questions. I was so weary of all the games Isabelle had been playing since she’d left but I tried hard not to let Fran see that. When she stretched out her arm and took my hand in hers to give it a squeeze, I couldn’t have been more surprised. She released my hand after a moment and looped her arm through mine. Her gesture was enough to show me she sympathised with my situation and for that, I was grateful.

  ‘I’m sorry you’ve had an awful time. Relationships are much harder than we all realise. You do have a beautiful daughter, though, and that must alleviate some of the pain.’

  ‘She is beautiful, you’re right, and she means everything to me. I wish I could be with her all of the time but…’ I tightened my jaw but said nothing more. It would be a while before I could tell Fran all that had happened between us. Chlöe broke the tension by running over to show us some daisies she had picked. I scooped her up into my arms.

  ‘Chlöe, this is my good friend, Fran,’ I said. She peeked out from under her mass of blonde curls to smile shyly at Fran. Then she extended her little hand towards her and Fran responded, grasping her hand in return.

  ‘Enchantée!’ Chlöe chimed and we laughed at her formality, making her giggle. The photographer began to gather everyone together for a group photo. Standing next to Fran, with my daughter in my arms, I felt happy for the first time in a long while. I was looking forward to the rest of the day in their company.

  After the photographer had finished, we followed the rest of the guests out of the churchyard and made our way down the hill to the Salle des Fêtes to join the line of people congratulating the bride and groom.

  ‘Oh, Amandine, que tu es belle! You look stunning. Congratulations to you both.’ Fran kissed her friend on both cheeks and hugged her, before moving off to collect a glass of pink champagne.

  Chlöe admired Amandine’s dress while I congratulated Laurent, shaking his hand and then pulling him in for a quick hug and much backslapping.

  Fran was sipping her champagne and people-watching when we approached her.

  ‘I’m sorry to ask,’ I said hesitantly, ‘but could you watch Chlöe for me while I go to the toilet, please?’ I guessed Fran probably understood how difficult it was for me on my own at an event with a little girl.

  ‘Of course, if you think she’ll be okay about staying with me.’

  I bent down to my daughter to tell her and she reached out her hand to Fran. She took it gladly and went towards the grass again, knowing Chlöe liked to play.

  When I returned, Chlöe was standing next to Fran watching the other children there from a distance. Fran had crouched down to her level and they were looking at the garden together. As I watched, Fran whispered something to her and then Chlöe’s little hand flew to her mouth in excitement and her eyes lit up. I made my way towards them and crouched down on Chlöe’s other side. She turned to me, putting her finger to her lips and it was all I could do not to laugh. She pointed to the robin they had spotted on the branch of a tree.

  ‘Look at the bird, Papa. It’s got a red tummy.’

  ‘It’s called un rouge-gorge. They all have red tummies.’ I watched as her eyes grew round in surprise. It always made me happy to be with her. I smiled at Fran and the look she gave me in return made me feel that we were ready to move on from the awkward conversation we’d had the previous day.

  Shortly afterwards, we stood again to begin making our way inside for the reception dinner. I almost couldn’t bring myself to look at the seating plan in case this was the last we would see of Fran for the day.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Fran

  Didier moved ahead of us and as Chlöe was still holding my hand, I ambled along at her pace. I watched Didier’s handsome profile as he studied the plan and then turned to me with a big smile on his face. I returned it with a grin of my own, happy to know I was going to be on the same table as the two of them. Didier swept Chlöe up into his arms as we went into the main room and I was delighted to spot a group of my university friends already sitting at our table. We made our way over and I spent the next few minutes squealing and hugging them all. Most of them remembered Didier from our university days so there was no need for introductions. I sat down next to my good friend Marie, with Didier sitting on my other side.

  ‘Chérie, it has been so long since I last saw you,’ Marie began, hugging me to her. ‘You must tell me all about your fiancé.’ She grabbed my left hand, looking for my ring. I felt my cheeks heat and I heard the group fall silent all around. I didn’t dare look at Didier. I didn’t want him to know about my personal troubles just yet but now it seemed I had no choice but to say something.

  I cleared my throat and lifted my head to look at her, knowing that everyone was listening. ‘Erm, we split up so there is no fiancé to tell you about, I’m sorry.’ I gave a little shrug and gradually everyone started talking again. I risked a quick glance at Didier hoping I wouldn’t see pity on his face, which I didn’t, but the intensity of his gaze surprised me and I swallowed nervously.

  ‘I’m so sorry to hear that,’ Marie said. ‘What happened, Fran?’

  ‘Um, he cheated on me.’

  ‘The salop. You are better off without him!’ I loved Marie for being so forthright.

  ‘I know. You’re absolutely right. I’ve moved back home, and on Monday I’m starting a new job near Strasbourg. I’ve been wanting to come home for a while and this gave me the push I needed.’

  ‘Well, maybe it’s a gold lining. Is that the right expression?’ She nibbled at her lip as she searched the depths of her brain for her schoolgirl English.

  ‘It’s silver lining but not to worry, I knew what you meant.’ We laughed together.

  A waiter appeared with another tray full of glasses of champagne. I was grateful for the glass he offered me, taking a gulp for courage but then savouring the delicate taste as I swallowed. I looked over at Didier to find his chair empty. I glanced round and saw him laying Chlöe on a c
ushioned bench a few feet from our table. In all the excitement, she had fallen asleep. I smiled as I watched him take off his jacket and cover her with it. He kissed her gently on the forehead before walking back towards me. He gave me another intense look and I had to lick my lips, which had suddenly become dry.

  ‘Your fiancé was mad to let you slip through his fingers,’ he whispered in my ear as he sat back down again. His lips brushed my earlobe and his manly scent invaded my senses, sending a glorious sensation through my whole body. It was all I could do to stop myself from leaning into him. I sat back in my chair, thankful I hadn’t given in to my instincts. He winked at me and picked up his glass of champagne. We clinked glasses and suddenly, my life looked quite a bit rosier.

  Didier

  While Chlöe slept, Fran and I caught up with her friends over lunch. It felt good to be among them and especially to be with Fran. I was about to ask her more about what had happened back in London when Chlöe woke up. I jumped up to go and tend to her, bringing her back to the table a few minutes later. I sat back down with her on my lap. She rubbed at her eyes with her hands and promptly popped a thumb in her mouth. With her flushed cheeks and her blonde curls massed around her face, she looked like a little cherub. I had put a plate of food aside for her to eat when she woke up and I offered it to her now. She reached out for some bread and I tore a piece off for her. As she nibbled on it, she began to wake up and I even got a smile a few minutes later. Soon she was wandering round the table, making friends with all the different guests. Once I knew she wasn’t upset at being in a strange situation, I relaxed.

  We all stood shortly after to allow the tables to be cleared away for some music and dancing. We went to get a drink while the Salle was transformed and wandered outside into the sunshine once again. This time, Chlöe was more confident and approached some other children who were playing on the grass.