The Vineyard in Alsace

by Julie Stock

‘Thanks for listening to my troubles,’ I said to him as we walked towards the door.

  ‘I should say the same,’ he replied, turning to look at me. ‘Thanks for a wonderful dinner too.’ He leaned in towards me but this time he took my face gently in his hands and kissed me softly on the lips. The impact was electric but it was over far too soon. His warm breath caressed my face as he pulled back to look at me, his eyes searching mine for a reaction. I licked my lips, savouring the taste of him and trying to control my racing heart. When I didn’t say anything, he dropped his hands and moved back.

  ‘I’m sorry if that was too forward of me.’

  ‘It wasn’t. It was just unexpected, that’s all, but in a good way.’ I rushed to reassure him. In fact, it had been wonderful to feel his lips against mine again after all this time. I reached out to take his hands in mine. ‘I just think we need to take things slowly. We need to be sure of what we want from each other.’

  ‘I know, you’re right. Maybe this is the wrong time for both of us to get into anything new. I’m sorry.’ He turned to open the door again and a second later, he’d disappeared into the night.

  I leant against the back of the door and groaned. Didier now thought I wasn’t interested in him and that wasn’t what I’d meant at all. I pulled myself upright and made my way to the sofa. I sat down and took a long sip of wine from my half-full glass. The truth was I didn’t know what I wanted. I knew I still had feelings for Didier, that much was clear after just a few days spent with him again. But there was no escaping the fact that he was still married, and after what had happened with Paul, I just didn’t know if I was ready to get involved with someone again so soon, regardless of who that someone might be. Not only that but I still hadn’t made up my mind whether to stay in Alsace for good yet.

  I took the wine bottle and glasses to the kitchen before making my way upstairs. I needed to talk to Ellie about the state of my love life - and everything else in my life as well. The weekend really couldn’t come soon enough.

  Didier

  I rushed back across the grass towards the château. What had I been thinking? I knew she wasn’t interested in another relationship, but her lips were so inviting and she’d been so lovely all evening that I’d let my heart rule my head. And she’d rejected me. It served me right for rushing in. I groaned out loud, causing some birds to flutter up into the sky in fright.

  I reached the kitchen door at the back of the château and let myself in. I was so strung out after the day I’d had and then the embarrassing moment with Fran that I poured myself a glass of cognac and sank down into one of the kitchen chairs to drink it. I would need to back off a bit with Fran and revert to just being friends, nothing more. Perhaps it was for the best. I would have enough to deal with when Chlöe came to stay, not to mention dealing with my lawyer.

  After a restless night, I took my morning walk round the vineyard before making my way to the office. Fran was already there and eager to talk to me about the appointments she had made with builders. She showed no sign of being annoyed with me so I tried to forget what had happened and bury myself in work as usual. In between the appointments with the builders, I tried to get Chlöe’s room ready for when she arrived on Saturday. I made a quick trip into Strasbourg to order her a new bed and some bedding more suitable for a princess aged three. At least my little girl would have the basics she needed for her room. There was already a wardrobe and a chest of drawers. I worked each evening to clear them out and clean up her room for her arrival.

  On Friday morning, I stayed at home to call my lawyer.

  ‘Bonjour, Alain, c’est Didier Le Roy.’ After the usual few minutes spent catching up, I explained all about the latest developments between myself and Isabelle.

  ‘Are you sure about seeking a divorce from your wife now?’ he asked after I’d finished.

  ‘I don’t think I have any choice. I want a formal custody arrangement for Chlöe and me. As soon as Isabelle hears I’ve gone ahead and put steps in place, she’s going to be angry. I might as well get it all over and done with at the same time.’

  ‘Just to clarify then: you are seeking a divorce from Isabelle and you want to agree a formal custody arrangement for visiting rights to Chlöe. Is that right?’

  I blew out a long breath. ‘To be honest, Alain, I would like to try for full custody if possible, on the grounds that Isabelle’s job is her main priority and I don’t think all the travelling she does is compatible with raising a child on her own. My life is more stable and I can provide Chlöe with a good home.’

  ‘And you would be willing for Isabelle to have visiting rights instead?’

  ‘Of course, but I would like it to be an agreed frequency. Perhaps every other weekend, unless Isabelle is away, in which case we can re-negotiate. Does that sound reasonable?’ I asked.

  ‘It does to me but whether the courts will see it that way, we’ll have to wait and see. I will draft the application and send it over for you to look at.’

  After saying goodbye to Alain, I walked down into the village to the école maternelle. Chlöe was old enough to go to the village nursery school now, and I wanted to see if I could enrol her the following week. I had no idea how she would get on, so I was planning to bring her for a trial visit first. I knew Madame Albert, who ran the school, and she had a good reputation. I trusted her to look after my daughter. She told me she had space for Chlöe and asked me to bring her in first thing on Monday.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Fran

  With all my appointments with the various builders, the rest of the week flew by. By Friday afternoon, I’d become a lot more experienced about what questions to ask them, and I also had a much better idea of what Didier was looking for. Within a few more days, I’d have a shortlist of three for him to choose from.

  Didier had been polite but distant since our dinner, and now his mind would be on Chlöe’s arrival, and mine would be on Ellie’s. I didn’t know when we might get the chance to talk again. I was so looking forward to seeing my friend, I hardly had time to think about anything else. I was definitely going to get Ellie’s advice on a few things during her stay. She sent me a text to say she would be arriving in Strasbourg at eight, so I decided to take a taxi to meet her from the train.

  I arrived at the modern-looking station in plenty of time, and when the train pulled in I could hardly wait for her to reach me. When she saw me she let out a squeal that caused a few frightened looks among her fellow passengers. She was oblivious to them all, though, and that’s what I loved about her. We hugged for a good few minutes and then she held me at arms’ length.

  ‘I think this country air must be good for you. You look really well.’

  ‘I must admit I’m loving it so far. I wish I’d done it sooner.’

  I pulled her small suitcase along the platform and it wasn’t a long wait before we were in another cab and on our way back to the vineyard.

  ‘Who knew you’d settle into this country life so quickly?’ She rolled her eyes theatrically. ‘I suppose you’ll be buying some wellies now too?’

  I smiled, blushing furiously. She smacked me playfully on the arm and we didn’t stop laughing for the rest of the journey home. When the taxi dropped us off in the courtyard, I picked up her suitcase and guided her towards the arch. I was pleased to see she was wearing flat shoes so that she wouldn’t have to struggle across the cobbles as I had done. We made our way towards the cottage in silence. As the house came into view, I heard her gasp. I glanced over at her, knowing her face would show her delight, and it did. I was glad I’d left the outside light on because the cottage looked heavenly in the half-light.

  ‘Oh, I can see how easily you made your decision to take the job now. It’s adorable!’

  I opened the door and led her inside, turning on the lights as I went. The little house came alive and I felt proud of the slight changes I’d made to it to make it mine. I took Ellie’s bag straight upstairs and she followed me, “oohing” and “aahing” a
long the way. By the time she saw her room, she had no words left.

  ‘Well, what do you think?’ I asked, smiling at her.

  ‘Oh, it’s so beautiful.’ She moved her bag along the wooden floor so she could sink onto the bed. The furnishings were simple but it was all clean and homely.

  ‘Come on then, let’s go and get something to eat. I don’t know about you but I’m starving.’ I turned and went back towards the stairs. ‘Go careful on these stairs, won’t you? They’re a bit rickety.’

  Didier

  It was busy in the bistro by the time we arrived, which was always a good sign. Henri and I pulled out seats and sat down at the bar to wait for Michel. Michel was Laurent’s older brother and we had known each other a long time. He had run the bar in the village for a good few years but had only recently extended it to include the bistro. He was working really hard to make a success of the bistro, and now I thought of it, I couldn’t remember having seen him at the evening reception for Laurent’s wedding. Henri and I usually dropped in for a drink at least once a week to show our support. As we waited, I glanced around the bistro and noticed Elena, Michel’s wife, darting around the front of house, making sure every table was being properly looked after. I watched as she took down an order at a small table in the corner. When she turned to leave, I realised Fran was at the table with another woman who I presumed must be Ellie, her friend from London. She looked animated as they chatted, and I was glad she had some company for the weekend.

  ‘Salut, les gars. What would you like to drink this evening?’ Michel gave us a broad smile but I noticed how tired he looked.

  We ordered a glass of white wine each, and I sent two more over for Fran and her friend.

  ‘Who is Fran with?’ asked Henri, as I told him they were for her.

  ‘She has a friend staying with her from London this weekend.’

  Henri glanced round just as they both looked over and waved their thank you for the wine.

  ‘What’s Fran’s friend called, do you know?’ he asked after seeing Ellie’s cheeky smile. I glanced at him to see a small grin appearing on his face too.

  ‘Ellie, she said. I’m sure you’ll get the chance to meet her this weekend if you’d like to.’

  ‘I would definitely like that.’

  I smiled knowingly. It had been a while since Henri had met anyone he liked. This could be an interesting weekend all round.

  ‘Well, I’m sure I can help you with that. As a matter of fact, there’s something you could help me with too.’ He raised his eyebrows and I proceeded to tell him about the latest developments between Fran and me.

  A short while later Fran and her friend stood up and came over to where we were sitting.

  ‘Thanks so much for the extra glasses of wine. That was a lovely treat,’ Fran said. ‘This is my friend Ellie, by the way, as you’ve probably guessed.’ I smiled and said hello but Henri jumped up at once to take her hand and kiss it ostentatiously. Ellie giggled. She and Henri hit it off at once, leaning in close to each other and whispering in each other’s ears. Fran’s eyes widened at Ellie’s sudden change of mood. She rolled her eyes and then turned back to face me. Her beautiful face beguiled me.

  ‘When’s Chlöe arriving?’ she asked, bringing me right back to the present.

  ‘Some time in the morning. It’s going to take a while for them to pack up all her things, I suppose. I don’t know if she’s going to be upset about her mother leaving or not. I’m quite worried about it all, to be honest.’

  Fran glanced over at Ellie and Henri, who were chatting away like they’d known each other for years. Then she surprised me by reaching out and laying her hand on my arm and giving it a little squeeze. That small gesture conveyed that she understood how difficult things were for me but it also sent a jolt of electricity through my body, making me want more. She had no idea of the effect her touch had on me. It continued to surprise me too. I swallowed and tried to focus on what she was saying.

  ‘Listen,’ she said, ‘would you like to get together tomorrow for dinner? All of us, I mean. We can help Chlöe feel a bit more at home.’

  ‘That sounds like a lovely idea. I’ll cook this time. I think Chlöe would be delighted to see you again, and to meet Ellie too. This will be the first time she’s not stayed at the cottage so I don’t know how she’ll feel.’ I bit my lip. She stared at my lips for a moment before looking away.

  ‘Have you got a room ready for her at the château, with all her things in it?’ She asked after a brief pause. I nodded. ‘Then I’m sure she’ll be okay.’

  ‘Would you like a lift back with us to save you having to walk?’

  ‘That would be great, thanks.’

  We made our way outside and everyone clambered into the van. Ellie and Henri sat in the back together, continuing their conversation all the way. I wanted to bring up the subject of my kiss the other night but now wasn’t the time. I had to hope Fran hadn’t felt I was rushing her. I just wanted the chance to reassure her that I was prepared to take things one step at a time while we got to know each other once again.

  Fran

  The next morning, I was woken by sounds of breakfast being prepared in the kitchen. I was confused for a moment, until I remembered Ellie was staying with me. I jumped out of bed to go and join her.

  ‘Morning, did you sleep well?’ I asked.

  ‘Like a log. The meal at the bistro was wonderful last night and I think this country air might be quite good for me, as well. I can’t wait to explore today.’

  ‘Yes, that was the first time I’d ventured into the village actually, and to think I have such a fabulous place to eat on my doorstep. Maybe country living isn’t so bad after all.’ I smiled over the cup of coffee she’d poured for me and accepted the plate of toast she’d prepared. ‘You seemed to be getting on very well with Henri last night,’ I continued just before sinking my teeth into a slice of buttery toast.

  ‘I know. I can’t believe you hadn’t told me about him already. I’d expected Didier to be gorgeous, of course - and he was, with his dark, curly hair and rugged looks - but Henri was definitely more my type, I’d say, and I can’t believe how well we got on together. I hope I’ll see him around today?’

  ‘Well, he lives in the village, not on the estate, so you probably won’t see him here.’ Her face fell. ‘But I did suggest to Didier that we all get together for dinner tonight to welcome his daughter, Chlöe.’

  ‘Excellent! I knew this was going to be a great weekend. How about a walk into the village after breakfast, then?’ She winked at me and I had to laugh at her thinly disguised plans to bump into Henri.

  We were both dressed and ready in no time. We set off towards the château first of all, so I could show Ellie the vineyards across the estate, and so she could get a feel for the size of the place. As we walked, I told her about Ruby and about how I’d asked Didier if I could look after her.

  ‘He’s looking after her this weekend though, because his daughter’s coming to stay.’

  Ellie was completely entranced with the château, especially when I told her my idea about restoring it so we could let it out to visitors.

  ‘That’s a fantastic idea and you could throw in free wine tastings and tours as well, while they’re here.’

  I stared at her in surprise.

  ‘That’s a great idea. I’ll have to remember to pass that on to Didier. It’s going to be a long time before we get round to the château though, what with everything there is to do at the Visitors’ Centre, but I think the idea’s a good one.’

  ‘There’s a good chance that once you decide on a builder, you might be able to negotiate an even better deal for doing all the building work at the same time. They can devote all their energy to it, rather than having to come back another time to do the château as a separate project.’

  ‘Hmm, I’ll have to watch out, otherwise you’ll be taking over my job! You’re full of great ideas today.’

  ‘It’s the place, I think. I
t’s very inspirational. You definitely made the right decision to move back here. You already seem so much more cheerful.’ She threw her arm round me to draw me in for a hug and gave me a great big kiss on the cheek.

  ‘You’ve no idea how much that means to me, Ellie. I do feel much calmer since I came here, and more like my old self, really, and that may have a lot to do with getting away from Paul.’

  ‘I could see how much Paul was dragging you down when you were with him but I knew that strong spirit was still in there. I’m so pleased you’ve had the chance to reassert yourself, to break free of what he was doing to you.’

  ‘The sad thing is that I don’t really miss Paul. I wonder if that’s because I didn’t see that much of him before anyway so it’s not a big change. He was always working late or out drinking with his workmates and lately, we’d stopped doing much together, just the two of us. Now I’m relishing my freedom and taking the time to get used to life here again.’

  ‘Have you heard from him at all?’

  I told her about his recent phone call and how I’d had to block his number twice.

  ‘I don’t know if I should change my number now because otherwise, he’ll just keep calling me using different numbers and I don’t want to speak to him any more.’ She nodded and fell silent.

  We’d circled the château by now and we were back on the gravel, about to walk towards the courtyard and out into the village, when we saw Didier coming through the arch with Chlöe. The minute she saw us, her face lit up and she started running towards us both, arms outstretched, her little curls bobbing as she ran. I burst out laughing at the lovely sight, and so did Ellie. We both crouched down to welcome her and she crashed into us for lots of hugs.

  ‘Salut, Fran!’ she puffed and giggled, burying her face in my jumper as soon as she realised she didn’t know Ellie.

  ‘Chlöe, je te présente ma copine, Ellie,’ I said once she’d got her breath back. Ellie held out her hand and waited to see if Chlöe would be brave enough. After a long minute, she stuck out her own hand and tickled Ellie, before giggling and running back to her dad.