The French Adventure

by Lucy Coleman

  ‘You seem to have captured my daughter’s heart, Sam, and I don’t think she could have made a better choice. If I wasn’t holding down this idiot I’d be the first to shake your hand.’

  Karl is frog-marched out through into the hallway and they don’t let go of him until he’s firmly the other side of the front door.

  ‘The ground you are standing on, young man, belongs to me and my wife. You have ten seconds to put yourself the other side of that gate. If, at any time in the future you put one foot anywhere within the boundary of my property I will prosecute you for trespass.’

  Mum and I are in the hallway, arms around each other as two of our guests descend the stairs to see what the noise is all about. We reassure them we’re okay, but Mum is still trembling slightly and they can see Dad and Sam standing guard outside the front door.

  ‘Has he gone?’ Mum asks and Dad turns.

  ‘Yes, Viv. He’s walking down the street. I can see his car from here. It’s finally over.’

  ‘How awful, can we help clear up? You poor dears.’ Our guests are taking over and guide Mum and myself into the sitting room.

  ‘Rob, find a broom.’ Nicola calls over her shoulder. ‘That unpleasant young man has smashed a lot of good china. I’ll put the kettle on.’ Rob and his wife, Nicola, might only have been here a couple of days but they’re very friendly. Thank goodness this episode doesn’t seem to have unsettled them unduly.

  As Dad and Sam walk in through the door, they loiter, uneasily. I should imagine the adrenalin rush is affecting them, too. We’re all glancing from one to another, trying to assimilate what just happened as if we can’t believe it, even though we saw it with our own eyes.

  ‘Can I ask a quick question?’ Sam’s voice pipes up. ‘I did hear that right, didn’t I, Anna? You did say—’

  ‘I said that I’ve fallen in love with you. You grew on me, what can I say?’ I smile at him and he looks shell-shocked.

  ‘But what about Tom and grabbing that experience in Borneo?’

  ‘I was trying to make you jealous, you idiot, hoping you’d beg me to stay and let me know how much I mean to you.’

  There’s a rattle of cups and our guests reappear with a tea tray.

  ‘Well,’ Sam looks pleased, but still in shock. ‘I guess tea is good enough for a toast.’

  Mum and Dad give each other that special smile of theirs.

  ‘What exactly happened, while you two were away?’ Dad asks, curiosity getting the better of him.

  I flash a look at Sam.

  ‘I’m under orders. What happened in Cannes, stays in Cannes,’ he mutters. ‘But she means a whole lot to me. Everything, in fact.’

  Mum pretends to look scandalised, but I can see a smile beginning to creep over her face.

  All I Ever Wanted Was My Very Own Hero

  At last we’re alone for a few minutes and I walk up to Sam. I stare into his eyes, holding his gaze.

  ‘You didn’t hesitate; you are my hero. I know you could have had Karl on the floor in seconds but you demonstrated control and that’s the sign of a true man.’

  ‘I wasn’t going to risk anyone getting hurt, whether that was Geoff, Viv or you, Anna. A man like that is quick to anger because he thinks he’s better than everyone else. And then he disrespected you and I will admit I had my fist clenched and you’ll never really know how hard it was to hold back. No one insults or threatens the woman I love.’

  I lean into him, smiling into his eyes.

  ‘Was it such a shocking revelation when I said those words? Didn’t you have even the teeniest little clue during our trip away?’

  Sam arms snake down around me, holding me just about as close as we can possibly get.

  ‘The truth is that I didn’t think I could get that lucky. I guess we were both holding back and being a bit cautious but I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. You can’t just jump into someone’s arms and assume it will all work out. I think we both know that we’re going to work together to make the future we want and that’s the only way to start a relationship that will see us through the rest of our lives.’

  He plants a kiss on my forehead, which is an irritating tease, but I know Mum and Dad are in the hallway looking through the crack in the door and he knows that, too.

  *

  I realise that what’s special about Sam is that he encourages me to be who I am and knowing he’s not perfect either, there’s no reason to be afraid of setbacks. And setbacks aren’t failures.

  But what has surprised me the most, is that I really believe he finally has the strength to change and grow, rather than standing still and wallowing in his disappointments. I can hardly dare to acknowledge that I’m the person who shook him out of his state of torpor and inspired him to live his life with passion once more. He’d been through a truly horrible experience and anyone would have been traumatised.

  ‘The truth is that I tried very hard not to let you into my heart, Sam. I knew it was wrong to begin a relationship wanting to change someone so every time I felt drawn towards you, I pushed those thoughts aside. But now I realise that the person who had to change was me.’

  ‘We’ve both changed,’ Sam whispers into my ear. ‘And we were both wrong about that night. We are the same people who could so easily shed what was holding us back and let go of the past. We just needed a little time to believe we really could make it work. When you fall in love with someone it isn’t an instant thing, it’s something that grows inside you. We unleashed a passion that comes from loving someone with all your heart and it wasn’t simply that first flush of physical attraction.’

  Sam had merely been taking his time to heal and that’s a process that can’t be hurried. What he’s taught me is that sometimes all you need to do, is to be patient. It takes as long as it takes and it’s different for everyone.

  September

  Date Night with A Difference

  With the second gîte finally completed today, tomorrow will be the first working day since I arrived that Sam and I haven’t been together. To celebrate another important milestone on Le Manoir’s journey, Mum cooked us all a meal and it has been a lovely evening.

  It was strange when Sam kissed me goodnight, though, and I watched him walk off to his car knowing that in the morning he’d be getting up and going to work with his dad. Quite frankly, it was a wrench.

  As I climb into bed I realise that we’ve been so focused on getting the work finished that we haven’t really sorted out what’s going to happen next. We have become a couple and the sudden realisation that we are going to be parted hadn’t really sunk in. My phone pings and I ease it out from beneath Ziggy, who has flopped down on top of it. She’s so sleepy she doesn’t bat an eyelid. It’s from Sam and I chuckle to myself; he’s only been gone half an hour.

  I’m feeling sad. I’m missing my workmate, already. Guess now I’m going to have to ask you out on dates if I want to see you. Are you free tomorrow night? I’ll pick you up at seven? x

  A smile hitches the sides of my mouth almost halfway up my cheeks. My heart skips a beat as I marvel at the fact that we are so in tune with each other’s thoughts.

  Perfect. Missing you, too. Tomorrow is the first day of BRAND new – but it will feel strange being desk based again. Sleep well, Sam. Love you! X

  As I lie here in the dark I reflect upon the fact that I couldn’t imagine my life now without Sam in it. I feel relaxed instead of stressed; happy instead of apprehensive and he’s the entire reason for that change. I don’t need to organise every second of the future because everything will fall into place and I know that in my heart. As for my work – the more I can earn, the more time off Sam will be able to take to work on the barn. Neil and Sarah are just so delighted to see Sam happy that they’ll fall in with our plans.

  There was a time when I felt that maybe I was unlovable, or that I didn’t deserve a grand passion that was all consuming. As if, in some way, I was flawed. Now I know the only flaw was that I hadn’t found the righ
t man and now I have.

  *

  ‘Sam has just pulled up,’ Dad walks in as I’m taking my waterproof jacket out of the cupboard. ‘And it’s still pouring with rain.’

  I reach back inside in search of an umbrella as Dad opens the door.

  ‘Hi Sam, what a change in the weather. How was your day?’

  Sam and Dad shake hands. ‘Great. Spent most of it plastering a new extension. Evening, Viv.’

  Mum joins us in the hallway, standing on tip-toe to give Sam a kiss on his cheek.

  ‘We missed you today,’ she adds, giving him a smile and then turning in my direction to help me on with my jacket.

  ‘You’ll need some boots, Anna,’ Sam says, looking down at my shoes. ‘There’s a bit of walking involved.’

  I shrug my shoulders. It’s not exactly the sort of evening to go for a stroll but hey, it’s only water.

  We run across to the car, sheltering under the big umbrella and laughing like two kids. The wind is driving the rain horizontally but a quick glance at the sky shows that the clouds are moving fast and hopefully it will clear soon.

  ‘Where are you taking me?’

  A secretive smirk flashes playfully over his face and he leans forward to give me a quick kiss, before kicking the engine into life. ‘It’s a surprise. You’ll know soon enough.’

  Less than ten minutes’ later Sam begins to slow the car. Looking out as he pulls in as close as he can get to the grass verge, I recognise this place. And the field of sunflowers, which have grown a lot bigger since we were last here. Their large heads seem to be smiling up at the rain. Lots of water means lots of plump, black seeds.

  ‘I’m going to need those wellies and I know where we’re heading, now.’

  ‘Sorry about the rain but it’s easing off already. Here you go.’

  Sam hauls my wellington boots from the rear seat so I can slip off my shoes. I had assumed we were going out to eat so I’m a little puzzled but decide to humour him.

  We follow the track round the edge of the field until we reach the old wooden stile on the other side. Then it’s another track around the corn field beyond that, before we head up to the copse. The rain has now virtually stopped and Sam closes the umbrella, then links arms with me once again.

  I cast my mind back to that moment when we sat together on the stone wall. We watched, entranced, as the silver blue sky turned to a deep crimson pink behind the three enormous wind turbines. With only the loud whispering as the blades turned and the low hum caught on the breeze, it had been a surreal moment. It felt special but I don’t think either of us knew then quite why it felt so special. It wasn’t about the setting at all, it was about two sad, lonely people starting a wonderful new journey together.

  As we round the copse and stand on the brow of the hill it’s like standing on top of the world. Rolling countryside, the village in the distance and across to those graceful wind turbines standing proud, transforming the turbulent wind into tranquil energy.

  ‘It’s like seeing it for the first time all over again. It’s incredible to watch the rain moving across the valley and look at that blue sky, now. Everything looks and smells so fresh.’ I draw in a deep breath, marvelling at the scene in front of me.

  ‘Here,’ Sam lifts me up to sit on the wall on a dry spot beneath an overhanging tree. He then levers himself up next to me. We sit for a few moments and then he turns to grin at me, reaching out for my left hand and taking it in his. Then he pulls a small box from his jacket pocket.

  We’re grinning at each other like a pair of school kids now and my heart leaps with pure, unadulterated joy.

  ‘My darling Anna. The first time I brought you here we sat together on this same spot watching the sun go down. I will admit that I was a man who had lost his way. I remember wondering why I couldn’t find someone just like you to make my life complete. I still don’t know what I’ve done to deserve this but I’m going to skip over that part quickly as I don’t want you changing your mind!

  ‘You make me want to leap out of bed each morning and build a life for us. And I will, I promise. The barn will be our dream home and I’ll work day and night to make that happen. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you, to make you happy.

  ‘When I brought you here that day, I wanted to turn my head and kiss you, so much so that it hurt. I know that bringing you here might not appear to be very romantic to some people, but I believe this was where our journey together began. And in here,’ he places the small box on the wall next to him so he can touch his chest, ‘I was hoping that the impossible could happen. And it did.’

  His eyes search mine and they return everything and more. He nods, knowingly, and then picks up the little white box.

  ‘Anna Lacey, will you do me the great honour of becoming my wife?’

  The only sounds to be heard are the chirping of the birds and the low hum and swoosh of the wind turbines in the background. I look across at him as he turns my hand over and places the box in the centre of my palm. We both stare at it, knowing this is just the beginning.

  ‘You’re right. There is nowhere else I’d rather be right now than here, with you – rain, or shine. Perfection comes in all forms and is very much in the eye of the beholder. And this is the perfect proposal. I, too, sat there that day thinking wouldn’t it be unbelievably wonderful if falling in love was as simple as two people connecting as they watch the sun go down. My head was telling me one thing and my heart another. Now it’s saying “you did it, Anna, you found the one”, so it’s yes, Sam, you know it’s yes!’

  As Sam moves in for a sweet, gentle kiss on the lips I close my eyes and savour the moment. When I open them he’s looking at me expectantly and I lift the lid of the box.

  It’s white gold, with a square diamond held beautifully in place by a four claw setting, in a twisted split band. ‘It’s beautiful, Sam, but it’s too expensive and I don’t need—’

  ‘They told me it’s a princess cut diamond. I sold the bike to pay for it and I know Granddad would be delighted to know that.’

  Aww… his granddad’s bike. ‘But you loved that bike. It meant so much to you. I don’t even need a ring!’

  He looks at me, taking it from my hand to slip it onto my ring finger.

  ‘But I love you more and I want you to know just how much.’

  We sit hand in hand for a while, watching as the clouds roll away to reveal a beautiful blue sky as the sun begins to dip down towards the horizon. Life is what you make it and together we are going to make it a memorable one full of happy memories.

  As the saying goes: all good things come to those who wait… and it was truly worth the wait to find my hero. One beautiful, heart stopping night has changed everything forever and I know that fate has smiled down upon us. We have each other and that’s all that truly matters.

  THE END

  Epilogue

  One Year Later

  Anna sold her house to her tenant and the equity has allowed her and Sam to start work on the barn.

  It will take two years to complete and they look forward to having a small and intimate wedding on the lawn in front of the barn, just as soon as they can move in. In the meantime, the caravan has been replaced with a luxury model, which Sam intends to use as his man cave once it’s been vacated. He has already informed Anna that there will be regular Karaoke evenings. Ziggy has also taken up residence in the caravan and has settled into her new home well. She has thoroughly acquainted herself with the local mouse population, which continues to decline as each day passes.

  Anna currently has a healthy waiting list of clients. Her day is split between her business activities and working alongside Sam on the renovation.

  At the end of February Jack and Bella welcomed their twin boys. Bella’s recent stomach flu turned out to be a little sister to complete their brood and they await her arrival, sometime in January.

  Karl has recently married a high profile young model named Ariana. They are currently in the process of moving
to a six bedroom house set in the middle of the rolling Wiltshire countryside. They can often be seen at A-list events and he’s currently under caution for a fracas with a photographer, which is being investigated by the police.

  Tom returned to St-Julien-de-Vouvantes to spend a weekend at Le Manoir, as a guest of Geoff and Viv’s. After a memorable garden party, he spent the day with Honorine Allard, who passed away peacefully in her sleep just one month later.

  Lizzie and Daniel are progressing their plans to move to France and a modest wedding will take place in the UK prior to the big move. Lizzie is going to work at Le Manoir to assist Geoff and Viv with the running of the B&B. Daniel will be taking Sam’s place, working for Neil Callaghan and will be looking to widen his range of skills.

  Le Manoir d’Orsenne is becoming an increasingly popular hub within the community, with regular party evenings welcoming everyone. And business, as they say, is booming.

  We hope you enjoyed this book.

  Lucy Coleman’s next book is coming in summer 2018

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  Acknowledgements

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  Make your own espresso martini

  You will need:

  One cocktail shaker

  One chilled (20 mins in the freezer) cocktail glass

  Ice chips

  40ml of Tia Maria

  20ml of vodka

  40ml freshly made, robust espresso coffee

  Three coffee beans

  1. Add an egg cup full of ice chips to the freshly made espresso.