by Julie Stock
At half past six, Didier picked me up from the cottage to take me to his mother’s house for dinner.
‘Hey, what’s up? You really don’t need to be nervous.’
‘Are you sure about that?’ I replied. ‘She’s your mum and I’m sure she feels very protective towards you.’ I thought of how my mum had reacted when Didier and I had split up. I couldn’t help worrying that Didier’s mum might feel equally resentful towards me for hurting her son.
‘She worries about me but not overly so. She has given us her blessing and she wants me to make the most of this second chance with you. That’s what I’m doing.’ He smiled, kissed me firmly on the lips and took my hand to lead the way.
Didier’s mum lived in a typical Alsatian house, right in the heart of the village. It was painted a pale pink on the outside and had timber beams running down the front of it. There was a small garden in front, full of colourful pots overflowing with petunias, geraniums and daisies, but Didier led me round the back of the house, through an ironwork gate and underneath an arbour covered with yellow roses. The smell was heavenly. I stopped for a moment while it assaulted my senses in the best possible way. Didier went on ahead, oblivious to the beautiful open space around him, but I trailed behind, taking in all the plants in the borders, a little pond with a tinkling water feature and a summer house in one corner. It was stunning and I loved it. Even in the fading September sunshine, it was beautiful. By the time I reached the patio, I had a great big smile on my face. Sylvie reached out to embrace me fondly, and I relaxed at once.
‘Oh, your garden is so wonderful! I could explore for hours.’
‘Thank you! Well, you are welcome to come and explore any time. My husband and I used to love gardening but sadly, he never had much time because of his work in the vineyard.’
‘I was very sorry to hear about your husband’s passing, Sylvie. You must miss him so much.’
‘I do miss him still, but he is always here in my heart.’ She patted her chest to emphasise her words and I felt tears spring to my eyes. ‘Come on Fran, let’s go inside and you can see what Chlöe and I have been getting up to.’ Her eyes twinkled and I was relieved to feel completely at ease in her company.
Inside, Didier was crouching down next to Chlöe, helping her roll out pastry circles. Her face was covered in flour.
‘Regardes Fran, j’ai fait des petites tartes aux pêches!’ She pointed proudly to some finished peach tarts.
‘Bravo, Chlöe. Ça va être délicieux!’
She carried on rolling while we went to sit at the large kitchen table, where Sylvie poured us all a glass of her own crémant rosé.
‘So, Fran, how are you enjoying working and living at the Domaine?’ she asked, sitting down opposite me and Didier at the table. Didier’s hand closed over mine beneath the tablecloth.
‘I’m really enjoying it. The job came at just the right time for me. I’d been wanting to come home for a while, and now I’m glad I did.’ I glanced sideways to find Didier studying me while I talked. He gave me a reassuring smile.
‘And your family is from Colmar, is that right?’
‘Yes, my mum and dad still live there.’ I could see Sylvie had planned a full-on inquisition for me. I tried to remain calm.
‘Are you staying in Alsace for good now?’
‘Well, yes.’ I paused before adding, ‘For the time being anyway.’
Didier pressed his lips together. I sensed his disappointment in my reply but he said nothing, merely giving my hand a brief squeeze before standing up.
‘Maman, is there anything we can do to help with dinner?’ It was a signal that it was time to end the Q&A, and I was grateful to him. I still wasn’t sure if I had passed the test though.
‘Non, non, c’est déjà fait,’ she tsked. She stood and made her way to the oven to check how the quiche was getting on before going over to check on Chlöe’s progress.
With a smile, Didier pretended to wipe his hand across his forehead, suggesting I’d survived the first round of grilling, at any rate. We sat down to dinner shortly after that, starting with a delicious salad of pears and walnuts, a classic combination that I hadn’t enjoyed for a long time. This was followed by a home-made quiche Lorraine and vegetables, which Didier paired with a spicy Gewurztraminer.
‘This quiche is delicious and goes so well with the wine,’ I commented in between mouthfuls. ‘It is so good to have Alsace food again.’
Sylvie smiled and seemed more at ease.
‘Have you decided when you’re going to start the harvest?’ Sylvie asked, turning her attention to Didier.
‘I’m pretty sure it will be Tuesday now. Have you already mentioned it to our regular helpers?’
Sylvie nodded as she stood up after the main course to help Chlöe put her little tarts in the oven.
‘All the usual crowd have said they’ll be there.’
Chlöe’s peach tarts cooked in no time and soon we were tasting them along with a spoonful of vanilla ice cream. Sylvie took a photo of Chlöe eating her creation and she looked every inch the proud young chef.
‘Can I bring Chlöe over on Monday afternoon, Maman? I was hoping that you could take her to and from school every day during the harvest, if that’s okay?’
‘Of course, that will be fine. Will you give me a hand with the coffee now, please?’
When they returned a few minutes later, Didier was beaming and I couldn’t think what they might have discussed to make him look so pleased.
I stood up and started clearing plates but Didier stopped me with a kiss and gestured for me to sit down again. He disappeared into the kitchen and I went to see what Chlöe was up to. I’d thought she was playing with Ruby but realised she had fallen asleep, resting on Ruby’s side. I gently lifted her up and carried her to the sofa. She smelt of pastry and peaches, and her little face was warm against my cheek. I laid her down carefully and pulled a throw over her. I stared at her for a moment, and I realised just how much I’d grown to love this little girl. When I looked up, I found Didier watching me from across the room. I blushed slightly at the tender look he gave me.
‘We ought to get this little one home to bed,’ I said softly, sweeping Chlöe’s hair gently away from her forehead.
‘Mum has asked if she could stay here tonight. I’ll take her upstairs and lay her down in bed.’ He came over and kissed me gently before lifting Chlöe into his arms and padding upstairs.
I stood up, smoothing down my skirt, and went over to look at some photos on the dresser in the corner of the room. They were all of Didier’s father. Almost every photo showed him working in the vineyard and from his constant smile, I understood that was where he had been at his happiest. He had the same dark, curly hair and captivating smile as his son. All the photos of him and Didier showed them laughing together. I sighed.
‘Are you okay, Fran?’
I turned, surprised by the sound of Sylvie’s voice in the quiet room. ‘I was just admiring these photos of your husband with Didier. He and Didier seemed very close. I’m so sorry your husband has gone. He can’t have been very old.’
‘No, he wasn’t. He had cancer and he was definitely far too young to die. I miss him and I know Didier does too, every day. He would love to be able to talk about the vineyard with his dad and to seek his advice. He had to grow up very quickly when his dad was diagnosed.’
‘How long did he have before he died?’
‘He was given six months to live but in the end he had just three months left. The doctors were sadly misinformed about how aggressive the cancer was. It rocked us all. We just weren’t ready to be without him.’
‘When did he pass away?’ I asked.
‘It was just after you left for London,’ she said softly.
I gasped. ‘So, Didier already knew his dad was dying when I told him I was going to London?’
She nodded. ‘Why didn’t he tell me? I would have stayed.’
‘I think you have your answer right there. He kn
ew you wanted to pursue your dream. He would never have wanted to hold you back. That’s how much he loved you, Fran.’
I looked at her with dawning horror. When Didier had needed me most, I’d left to “pursue my dream.” And look where it had got me. I didn’t know what to say.
‘What are you two whispering about?’ Didier suddenly appeared beside us. I paled when I thought about how much I must have hurt him. He put his arm round me and I tried to force a smile.
‘We were looking at some photos of you and your dad. Fran hadn’t seen them before.’
‘Come on then, Fran, shall we go? Chlöe’s fast asleep now. Thanks for dinner, Mum.’ He kissed and hugged his mum goodbye and I was struck by how attached they were.
‘Thank you for a wonderful dinner, Sylvie.’
‘It was my pleasure both of you. Now off you go and enjoy the rest of your evening together. I’ll bring Chlöe back after lunch tomorrow.’ She gave me a smile and a warm hug before releasing me. Didier held my coat out and soon we were back outside in the cool night air.
Didier
Fran didn’t say anything much on the way back. I didn’t know how to broach the subject of what might have passed between her and my mum while I was upstairs with Chlöe. Every time I looked at her, she was biting her lip anxiously. By the time we reached the cottage, I was starting to worry. She pushed her hands deep into her coat pocket, searching for her keys, but she didn’t bring them out. She just stood there, with her head hung low.
I lifted her chin so I could see her face. Her eyes were full of tears. I folded her into my arms then.
‘Let’s go inside and you can tell me what this is all about,’ I said after a few moments.
She passed me the keys and I opened the door, holding her hand the entire time. Once inside, I led her to the sofa, neither of us bothering to remove our coats. I waited for her to speak but the minutes became long and still she didn’t say anything.
‘Please will you talk to me? Whatever this is about, we can sort it out.’
‘I feel ashamed of myself,’ she said, so quietly I almost didn’t catch it.’
‘What do you mean? You have nothing to be ashamed of yourself for.’
She took in a deep breath, physically pulling herself together for what she was about to say. ‘Your mum told me about your dad’s cancer diagnosis and the fact that you knew about it already when I told you I was going to London. And now I hate myself for pursuing my own selfish desires at a time when you really needed me.’
The tears rolled down her cheeks. I had a sudden image of her on the day we’d said our goodbyes. She’d been sobbing and I had so desperately wanted to comfort her but I couldn’t find a way without telling her the truth.
‘I wish you’d told me, Didier. I would have stayed. I thought you didn’t really love me because you didn’t ask me to stay. Things might have been so much different for us both if we’d told each other our real feelings.’
I stood up and began pacing in front of the fire.
‘I didn’t tell you because you had your own life to lead. I knew you would have given everything up to stay with me. If I’d told you, you might blame me now for stopping you. You weren’t selfish; you were young and carefree and full of dreams waiting to be fulfilled, and I didn’t want to be the one to stand in your way.’
‘I just wish I’d talked it all over more with you, rather than digging my heels in and thinking only of myself. I wish I’d given more thought to just how much you meant to me and made more of an effort to compromise. We’ve wasted all these years.’ She covered her eyes with her hands.
‘I told you once that I can’t see the point in regrets. Life’s so short as it is. Perhaps this is fate, us meeting again and getting a second chance. And that’s all I want from you. I want the chance to see if we were meant to be. I want to love you now, and to know you love me in return. I want to look forward into the future and not waste time with regret about the past. And I want to know if you want that second chance too.’
I stopped pacing. She lifted her head to study my face, and then she stood up and came to me. She reached out and I pulled her closer without hesitation. Then she kissed me tenderly.
‘I do want that second chance. I want to make up for lost time between us and I want to be able to show you every day just how much I love you.’
I crushed her lips with mine, eager to show her the depth of my passion and commitment. As her lips parted and our tongues tangled together, my desire for her was renewed.
‘I love you too. And I want you to come to my bed in the château this time.’ I was locking the door again when I heard her call my name. When I turned round, she was running across the grass towards the château. I laughed out loud and set off to catch her.
Fran
When I woke the next morning, I didn’t remember where I was at first and then it came back to me. I remembered our wonderful night of lovemaking the night before and turned to watch Didier sleeping for a moment. He looked so peaceful and so gorgeous.
I glanced round the room, taking in the rustic furniture: an old wardrobe, bedside tables and a pretty chest of drawers. There were few personal items in the room. The plaster walls were painted a creamy colour and there were pale blue curtains at the window. I noticed how clean the room was. In fact, the whole house seemed very clean and tidy. I was impressed by the way he had spruced up this part of the château before Chlöe’s arrival, and by the way he looked after himself and his daughter.
I thought back to Paul and remembered just how messy he had been. I wondered for a moment what it would be like to live with Didier and found myself excited by the idea. I had surprised myself by revealing that I loved him. But I really did. I had come to love every little thing about him over these past few weeks. I looked over at him again, and I knew that if he asked me to stay, I wouldn’t have to think twice, especially after what he’d said to me the night before.
He stirred and I reached out to touch his hair. I snuggled my body up against his and his arms came round me at once.
‘Bonjour, chérie. How are you this morning?’ His dark brown eyes stared into mine intensely.
‘I’m okay, I suppose,’ I teased.
He gave me a wicked grin. ‘That’s not nearly good enough as an answer. I think we will have to do something about that.’
‘Have you got any ideas?’
‘Certainement,’ he growled and kissed me fiercely before proceeding to show me exactly what those ideas were.
Some time later, we decided to get up and face the day. I had no idea what the time was and although I had nowhere else to be, Didier had to think about Chlöe, who would be coming back after lunch. I showered while he went downstairs to prepare breakfast. When I emerged, I felt fresher and a bit more with it.
A wonderful sight met my eyes when I went downstairs. Didier had laid out a delicious looking breakfast of fresh coffee, juice and a selection of pastries.
‘How did you manage to do all this in twenty minutes?’
‘I could pretend to be Superman, of course, but I have a housekeeper who comes in and helps me keep on top of things. She brought breakfast in for us this morning so that we could have a lie-in.’ He grinned at me.
‘When did she come?’
‘While you were in the shower. I gave her a call.’
‘Oh, okay.’ I was reassured to know his housekeeper hadn’t been in the house while we were upstairs in bed. ‘I’d been thinking you were incredibly clean and tidy and I was impressed. Now you tell me that none of it is down to you at all,’ I joked.
‘So, I am not your hero after all?’
‘No, you’ve disappointed me. You’ll have to make it up to me some other way.’ I raised an eyebrow. He pulled me to him and kissed me firmly on the lips, patting my behind at the same time.
‘I’ll have to give some thought today to how I can meet that challenge but for now, come, sit and have some breakfast.’
I was ravenous and so was Didi
er. There wasn’t much food left after we’d finished. I was glad to see that it was only now ten o’clock so we still had some time together before little Chlöe would be back.
Didier went off to have a shower and I cleared up before wandering over to my bag to check if there were any updates from Ellie. There was nothing from her so I knew they must be having a really good time. That thought brought a smile to my face.
I stood at the French windows looking out at the back garden, admiring the view and wondering just how many people were needed to keep the abundant flower beds and borders looking so beautiful. I sensed Didier come up behind me and then felt his hands on my shoulders, followed by his lips on my neck.
‘What shall we do with these couple of hours?’ he asked.
‘Will you take me on your vineyard inspection? I know it’s very close to the harvest now and I want to see what that looks like.’ I turned to face him and he gave me a warm kiss on the lips before we grabbed our coats to set off on a brisk walk to the vineyard.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Didier
I couldn’t have been more delighted when Fran asked me to show her the vineyard. She’d seen it from afar many times of course, but now I was proud to show her the results of all our hard work since my father’s death.
It only took us a few minutes to reach the first rows of the vineyard. As always, there were a number of people still hard at work, removing leaves from the vines to increase the exposure of the grapes to the sun. Many of the workers waved as we approached and called out greetings to me. I was lucky to have such good staff. They had really pulled together around me when I suddenly found myself in charge. I would never have got through that first harvest without their help.
Fran was silent as we strolled along between the rows of flourishing vines.
‘What are you thinking about?’ I asked.
For a moment she said nothing. I had the feeling she was shy about baring her soul to me but I hoped that she understood by now that I only wanted to know her better.