The Vineyard in Alsace

by Julie Stock

  ‘No, Dad, I promise.’

  Didier

  Monday morning rolled around quickly. I was up early to get Chlöe to school before doing my morning inspection. Aside from a period of light drizzle on Saturday afternoon, the weather had remained mostly fine over the weekend but I would have to keep a close eye on it.

  I made my way to the office straight after the inspection, looking forward to seeing Fran after not being able to spend the night together the evening before.

  ‘Morning, sweetheart,’ I said. I leaned over her desk for a kiss, not noticing the look in her eyes until it was too late.

  ‘Ah, just as I expected. You two have been carrying on behind my back.’ I swung round with a start at the sound of Isabelle’s brittle voice behind me. ‘I doubt you’ve even thought about the impact your sordid little affair will have had on Chlöe,’ she continued as she came up next to me. She must have been behind the door as I came in and I’d given Fran no chance to warn me.

  ‘We’re not having a “sordid affair”. We are very careful about how we behave in front of Chlöe. What are you doing here?’

  ‘I wanted to see for myself just how stable your lifestyle is and whether it really is suitable for Chlöe. Now I know.’ She reached out and tapped my forearm with one of her long, manicured fingernails, the blood red varnish looking out of place here, just as she did. I went to sit at Henri’s desk in an effort to remain calm.

  ‘I am very busy, Isabelle. Is there something specific you want?’

  ‘Of course, I want to see my daughter. I have really missed her these past few weeks.’ My head snapped up then.

  ‘You have a very funny way of showing how much you miss her. You haven’t spoken to her in all the time you’ve been gone. Chlöe is at school and my mother will be collecting her because I am trying to get ready for the harvest, so now is not the best time. If you want to see her, please give me notice of when is a good time for you. Better still, sign the paperwork and then we can sort out a more official arrangement.’

  She walked over to Fran’s desk, trailing her hand along the edge as she drew closer. I stood up then, worrying what she might say to Fran. I looked over at Fran, to see her staring right into Isabelle’s eyes.

  ‘I hope you don’t think for one minute that you can replace me in my daughter’s affections,’ Isabelle sneered.

  ‘I don’t need to. Chlöe knows me for who I am - her friend. I have never tried to be anything else.’ Isabelle whirled round and made for the door.

  ‘I will be in touch with my lawyer today to sort all this out once and for all.’

  She swept out in a cloying haze of perfume and we both breathed enormous sighs of relief. I went towards Fran immediately for a reassuring hug.

  ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t let you know she was here.’

  ‘Well, it can’t be helped. I just hope there won’t be any more surprise visits from her.’

  Fran

  Didier left mid-morning to collect Henri from the station. I took a break from poring over builders’ estimates and picked up my phone to compose a text to Lottie.

  ‘I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch since the other weekend but could you give Mum and Dad a ring? They’re really worried about you. And so am I xx’

  I stared at my message for several minutes to be sure I was satisfied with it and then pressed “send.” I didn’t expect to hear back from her for ages, if at all, but her reply came back at once.

  ‘I’m in trouble, Fran.’ Oh God.

  ‘What do you mean? I thought you were with friends?’

  ‘No, I just said that to get away from Mum and Dad. I’m in Strasbourg. Can you come and get me?’

  I stopped texting and dialled her number. It rang for ages. I thought she wasn’t going to pick up and was just about to hang up when she finally answered.

  ‘Lottie? What’s going on?’

  She sighed loudly down the phone. ‘Look, you ought to know by now that my life is a mess. Please could you just come and get me?’

  ‘Okay, look, hang on a minute. I might be able to sort something out more quickly than you think. Stay there and I’ll call you back.’

  ‘Okay.’

  I hung up and dialled Didier’s number.

  ‘Fran, is everything all right?’

  ‘Not really, no. I’m on to the next crisis now. This time it’s my family. Lottie is in Strasbourg and needs picking up and bringing back here. Where are you? Would you mind collecting her?’

  ‘I’m just coming in to Strasbourg now. Where is she?’

  ‘I have no idea. Please could you just wait until I call you back?’

  I rang off and called Lottie back. Relief flooded through me when she answered.

  ‘Fran? Are you coming?’

  ‘Where are you Lottie? Didier is just arriving in Strasbourg. He’s going to the station to pick up a friend. Are you anywhere near there at all?’

  ‘I…I’m in the station café. I wanted to go back home but I was scared Mum and Dad would be mad at me after all I’ve done to disappoint them.’

  I sucked in a large breath. ‘Lottie, they love you no matter what, and so do I. Look, stay there and I’ll get Didier to come and get you. Is there something you have with you that would help him identify you?’

  ‘I have a bright blue rucksack with me. Your old one, do you remember it?’

  Crikey, that was years old. ‘Yes, I’ll tell him. Lottie, please wait for him, won’t you? Don’t change your mind. He’ll look after you and bring you to me, and then we can sort everything out, okay?’

  ‘I’ll stay right here. Thank you.’ She started to cry and my heart nearly broke.

  ‘Lottie, please don’t cry. Everything will be okay, I promise.’

  Reluctantly, I rang off and called Didier back with all the details. Then I waited while he went to get Henri and then to get Lottie. Five minutes passed and I nearly chewed off all my fingernails in that time, but then my phone rang again.

  ‘Fran, it’s me. I’m on my way home with Lottie and Henri safely in the car.’

  I blew out a big sigh of relief, staring at my trembling hands.

  Didier

  Today was turning into the worst day imaginable. I concentrated on driving to the station, pulling into the first available parking space when I arrived before going to find Henri. I strode quickly inside, scanning the arrivals board for the TGV train from Paris. I had no trouble finding Henri as the crowds had already started thinning out by the time I reached the platform.

  ‘I’m so sorry that your weekend with Ellie was spoilt by that madman.’

  ‘It’s over now and he won’t be bothering Ellie again. She called the police about it and they’ll be going round to his place to talk to him today, if they haven’t done it already.’

  ‘Listen, Fran’s sister is in the station café. She’s coming home with us.’ He raised his eyebrows wanting to know more. ‘Don’t even ask.’

  I passed him the car keys, then circled back past the taxi rank and round to the café, looking out for a young woman with a bright blue rucksack. Luckily, the café wasn’t busy and I found her straight away.

  ‘Lottie?’

  Fran’s sister looked up. There were big, grey circles under her eyes and her clothes were a mess. God only knew what had happened to her.

  ‘Didier.’ She stood up and I took her bag.

  ‘Thanks for coming to get me,’ she said softly, and gave me a weak smile.

  Henri and I chatted quietly in the front of the car on the way back, as he told me about all the sights he’d seen in London. I kept sneaking quick looks in the rear-view mirror every now and then to check on Lottie.

  ‘I thought Isabelle was in Toronto?’ Henri asked after I told him about her surprise visit this morning.

  ‘She said she was missing Chlöe but she was more keen on catching me with Fran. Anyway, let’s not talk about her. It sounds like you and Ellie got on very well in London.’

  ‘Yes. I can’t be
lieve how well we got on actually.’

  Henri fell silent. I glanced over at him to find he had a faraway look in his eyes that I recognised as love. From what Henri had told me about his previous relationships, I knew this would be his first real love and I was glad for him.

  The next time I looked in the mirror, I saw Lottie had fallen asleep, exhausted.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Fran

  As soon as Didier called to tell me Lottie was in the car with him, I rang my parents to let them know.

  ‘Thank God,’ my mum cried. ‘Is she all right?’

  ‘I don’t really know, Mum. She didn’t sound good on the phone. She said her life was a mess and asked me to come and get her. I’ll talk to her when she gets here and ask if she wants to help with the harvest. It will give her something to do to take her mind off all her troubles. Did Dad mention to you about helping out at the harvest?’

  ‘Yes but we won’t be able to get away till the end of this week. I’m sorry.’

  ‘Not to worry. I’ll keep in touch about Lottie. Just come when you can.’

  ‘Thanks so much for reaching out and showing her some love when she needed it most. I’m proud of you.’

  ‘Oh, Mum, she’s my sister. I wouldn’t ever want anything bad to happen to her.’

  ‘I know, sweetheart. Bye for now. Speak to you again soon.’

  It was lunchtime when I came off the phone. I was expecting Didier back shortly. I walked out into the courtyard just as he pulled in. Didier came over to me at once and gave me a hug and a kiss. Then Henri climbed out giving me a little smile. I took one look at his face before bursting into tears.

  ‘Henri, my God!’ I hugged him tight. ‘I’m so sorry you and Ellie got drawn in to my mess.’

  ‘I’m fine and so’s Ellie. She reported Paul to the police so that should be the end of it.’

  ‘Thank you, Henri. I really am so grateful. I hope you still managed to have a wonderful time with Ellie.’

  He shot me a massive grin. ‘It was fabulous. I can’t wait to see her again.’

  I patted him gently on the chest before ducking to look for Lottie in the car. She was fast asleep.

  ‘I’m going into the village with Henri,’ Didier told me. ‘I’ll leave you to spend some time with Lottie, and I’ll see you after lunch.’ He pulled me in for another hug and kissed me deeply, before letting me go.

  ‘That sounds like a good plan,’ I said. ‘Thanks for everything you’ve done this morning.’

  As the two men walked away, I went to the car to wake Lottie. Although I shook her gently, she had a glazed look in her eyes when she sat up.

  ‘Lottie, it’s okay. You’re with me at the vineyard. You fell asleep.’ I smiled at her and she gave me a tentative smile back. ‘Let’s go and get you settled in the cottage.’

  She took my hand, climbed out of the car, and then threw her arms round me. She hugged me so tightly, I almost lost my balance.

  ‘Thank you for helping me, Fran. You have no idea how much it means.’

  I picked up her bag and took her hand to lead the way to the cottage. Lottie was going to need a lot of love and understanding over the coming weeks.

  Didier

  It was hard to leave Fran on her own to deal with Lottie but I understood they needed some privacy. I resisted the urge to look back at her as I set off with Henri, trying instead to focus on what he was saying.

  ‘So, we’re starting the harvest tomorrow, you said in your message,’ Henri said as we walked along the track from the vineyard to the village.

  ‘Yes, that’s definite now. I’ll check with Mum at lunchtime exactly how many people she’s managed to round up and remind her about buying all the food and drink.’

  ‘It’s going to be a busy time again, isn’t it?’

  ‘It’s always frantic, I know, but it’s fun too, when we’re all working to the same end. I must make sure Thierry’s inspections tally with mine this afternoon.’

  ‘Any news on the builders?’

  ‘Fran’s had all the quotes in now. All she needs to do is to make a decision. They may even be able to start work during the harvest.’

  ‘I’ll see you after lunch, then.’ He turned to go towards his apartment above the boulangerie.

  ‘Take your time,’ I told him. ‘You probably need a rest after that long journey.’

  He waved in reply and then disappeared round the corner.

  When I arrived at my mum’s house, she was just serving lunch up for the three of us. Chlöe ran towards me and I lifted her up into my arms relishing the sweet smell of her skin.

  ‘Hey, ma petite, comment ça va aujourd’hui?’

  ‘Ça va, Papa, et toi?’

  ‘Comme ci…’

  She finished for me, ‘Comme ça!’

  We waved our hands at each other in the way we’d always done and she giggled.

  ‘A table, tout le monde,’ my mum said. I set Chlöe down and she went off to wash her hands in the bathroom.

  ‘Isabelle turned up at the office this morning, Mum, and caught me kissing Fran,’ I muttered quickly under my breath before Chlöe came back. My mum glanced sharply at me, as she put lunch on the table.

  ‘What did she say?’

  ‘She accused us of seeing each other behind her back.’ My mum made a harrumphing sound. ‘Then she said she wanted to see Chlöe, that she’d missed her, so I told her to give me more notice next time. Then she tried it on with Fran and lost.’

  My mum smiled at that one. ‘So how did you leave it with her?’

  ‘She said she’d be in touch with her lawyer to sort it all out once and for all.’

  The sound of the bathroom door opening and running footsteps in the hall signalled that Chlöe was on her way back. She rushed back in a minute later, picking up her favourite doll before sitting down at the table. My mum and I joined her.

  ‘Have you heard anything more today?’

  ‘No. It has been one heck of a morning what with one thing and another, but I’ll check my emails this afternoon. The good news is Henri is back in one piece from his big adventure.’

  ‘His big adventure? What do you mean?’ I told her all about his trip to London and the incident with Paul, trying not to say too much in front of my little one. ‘And we also have Fran’s sister staying with us. She might be able to help out with the harvest, actually, when she feels a bit better.’

  My mum raised her eyebrows but I nodded in Chlöe’s direction, not wanting to say any more. We passed round bowls of salad and potatoes, while my mum dished up some pork fillet.

  ‘I’ve managed to round up about twenty people to start on the harvest tomorrow,’ Mum said, sitting back down again. ‘With all of you as well, you’ll be fine for the first couple of days.’

  ‘Fran’s parents said they might come and help too, but I’m not quite sure when. Are you going to be all right to get the food for lunch and dinner every day, Mum? I don’t want to overload you.’

  ‘It’s all in hand, don’t you worry, mon chéri.’

  We fell silent for a few minutes while we ate.

  ‘So, what did you get up to at school today, Chlöe?’ I listened attentively while she told me all about her various activities.

  Fran

  We walked slowly back to the cottage, giving Lottie the chance to wake up and take in her surroundings.

  ‘Your cottage is beautiful. What a lovely setting!’ She paused for a moment, admiring the colourful flowers round the door and in the front garden.

  I smiled as I opened the door and let her in. I put her bag down on the floor.

  ‘I have to get to work this afternoon, Lottie. I thought you might want to catch up on your sleep a bit. Perhaps we can talk about things tonight, if you’re up to it?’

  ‘That sounds good. Thanks again, Fran. Did you speak to Mum and Dad?’ She bit her lip nervously.

  ‘I just rang to let them know you were going to stay with me. Mum was relieved to know you’re
all right. They’re coming up here at the end of the week to help with the harvest.’

  ‘When does the harvest start?’

  ‘Tomorrow. I thought you could help too, if you feel up to it, but no pressure.’

  ‘I think I will have a lie down.’

  ‘I’ll show to your room. There’s plenty of food in the fridge if you want something.’

  I led the way upstairs, carrying Lottie’s bag for her, and left her to settle in. I made myself a quick sandwich and went straight back out towards the office, closing the door quietly behind me. I stood outside for a moment, breathing in the clean air and noting the hint of autumn on the cooler breeze. I pulled my jacket and scarf tighter around me - I would need to invest in a proper winter coat soon.

  As I crossed the lawn back to the courtyard, I noticed a man coming through the gates. He was too far away for me to identify properly. Something about his confident stride seemed familiar but I couldn’t put my finger on it straight away. Didier and Henri were still at lunch, and so I made my way to greet him. By the time I reached the courtyard, he’d turned away.

  ‘Bonjour, monsieur!’ I called out.

  At the sound of my voice, the man turned and I froze. Paul was standing there with a wicked smile on his face.

  ‘Bonjour, Fran. It’s so good to see you again.’

  ‘How did you… how did you…?’

  ‘Find you? Oh, it was easy. Your friend’s pathetic excuse for a boyfriend led me right here. All I had to do was to follow his path from London.’

  I groaned at how easy it had been for him to find me after all. He took a step towards me and I was suddenly aware of how alone I was.

  ‘Stop right there!’ I held up my hand. ‘I’ve made it clear I don’t want to see you again.’

  He crossed the remaining distance between us in seconds and made a grab for me. I yelped as he caught my arm and squeezed it tightly.

  ‘I’ve come to take you home with me, to get you back under my control, where you belong.’