by Lucy Coleman
She looks at me, putting on a brave face, but I can see she isn’t convinced. ‘I hope you are right, Lexie. I can’t thank you enough for your support; it means so much to me.’
‘Just in time,’ I call out, as Ronan steps in through the gates.
He hurries over, leaning in for a kiss as he gives me one of his wicked smiles. The look we exchange is an intimate one, as his hands slide around my waist. I kiss him back, closing my eyes for one brief moment and remembering last night.
‘Hmm. Right. What can I do to help?’
‘We have to clear this mountain of flowers. They weren’t due to be delivered until tomorrow morning, but at least they’re here. These big branches of cherry blossom need to be trimmed into stems of about ten inches. The jars are in that box and the bucket of water is under this table. If you can give a hand with that, I can start cutting the burlap into narrow strips to tie in bows to pretty them up.’
Ronan rolls up the sleeves of his pale blue cotton shirt. He looks rather smart today, but then he did have that trip to Paris.
‘Is the camera good to go?’
‘Yep. The bank transfer went through immediately, thanks, and I didn’t have to wait around. So, I’m just using these and cutting about here?’ He checks, picking up the secateurs and a three-foot-long branch, moving them down one of the stems covered in glorious blossom.
‘That’s fine. No longer than that though, or the jam jars could topple over as they’ll be top heavy with the weight of the blossoms. Two or three stems per jar. You are my hero!’
‘Hi, Ronan, thanks for helping out.’ Solange appears with a pile of bunting, a hammer and some tacks and he stops to kiss her on each cheek. ‘I’ll give you a hand with the burlap, Lexie, as it will need two people to put these up. One to hold the ladder as it’s going to be a bit wobbly on the cobbles.’
We form a production line and, once the jars are done, we put some gorgeous white lilies into tall metal containers and fill them with water.
‘We’ll put these out tomorrow, but for now they can be placed under the tables. We don’t want anything blowing over if the wind picks up during the night,’ Solange says. But looking up at the red-streaked sky as the sun begins to dip, I think it bodes well.
‘Red sky at night, shepherd’s delight is what they say, so fingers crossed. And there’s hardly a breeze at the moment, too. But doesn’t everything smell wonderful? Fresh, clean and sparkly,’ I remark, gazing around. The timing of the rain couldn’t have been better.
Just then, a handsome guy with dark hair and a bushy beard appears and hurries towards Solange, wrapping her in his arms. He kisses her on the mouth, and she squeals. Pulling back, I notice that she has no intention of letting him go and she turns towards me, her face beaming.
‘Lexie, this is my Philippe.’
He eases himself away from her, then steps forward to kiss me on alternate cheeks.
‘I ’ave heard so much about you, Lexie. Thank you for ’elping with the water leak and now… our party!’
‘My pleasure, Philippe, and it’s lovely to finally meet you.’
He immediately turns to Ronan and they shake hands.
‘What can I do to ’elp?’ Philippe asks enthusiastically.
Solange takes him off to sort out the bunting, leaving Ronan and I to finish off, then begin assembling the small tables and chairs ready to set them out.
‘How was your day? It all went smoothly?’ I turn to look at Ronan, who breaks out into a sardonic smile.
‘Yes. But it wasn’t any fun hanging around on my own. I did get some work done this afternoon, though.’
‘Oh, that reminds me. How many of the notebooks do you have? I thought there were fifteen, but I can only find twelve.’
He wrinkles his brow. ‘I’ll check. I must admit I haven’t had much spare time, but I know I’m still only part way through September. Sorry I’ve been so slow.’
Obviously, Ronan is now intent on wrapping up his own work so he can begin making plans. It’s time-consuming reading Grandma’s notes and maybe it’s something I’m best doing on my own anyway. But it did achieve one thing and that’s to bring Ronan and me together. Funny how things work out, isn’t it?
Renée appears with a tray of cold drinks and some little apricot tarts. We quickly assemble two of the tables and five chairs, then sit around for a while enjoying the ambience of a fine evening. Life couldn’t be more thrilling than it is right now, with so much to look forward to, and Ronan isn’t the only one desperate for everything to fall into place as quickly as possible.
24
Let the Party Begin!
When I awaken, Ronan isn’t lying next to me, but I can hear the sound of china chinking downstairs and several minutes later he appears with a breakfast tray.
‘Croissant and coffee for the love of my life.’
I push back the thin cotton sheet and pull myself up into a sitting position so he can place the tray on my lap. As he does so he stoops to steal a kiss, hovering for a few seconds and making me laugh.
‘Stop – we’re going to tip the tray over! What have I done to deserve breakfast in bed?’
‘Well, you’ve turned my life upside down, for one. I’ve been mulling over what to do about the house and I don’t think it’s the right decision to sell it. Not because I have any doubts at all about moving back to the UK, but—’
‘I’m relieved to hear you say that, Ronan. The house isn’t just bricks and mortar to you – it holds so many memories. It’s been in your family for too long to cut all ties with it just like that.’
He gingerly slides onto the bed next to me, resting one hand against my thigh. Leaning over to grab a croissant, he bites off the end, thinking as he chews.
‘The problem is that I need the money to tide me over when I move back to the UK. I don’t know how long it will take me to get a job. I suppose I could get an agent to list the house as a holiday let, but I don’t want you to feel that I’m not ready to make a firm commitment. I want us to be in a position to start afresh in a new place, together.’
I raise my hand to run it down the side of his stubbly cheek and he leans in to kiss me, this time more passionately. Sitting back, I don’t take my eyes off him.
‘I’m actually relieved you’re really taking time to think this through. What’s important is that you don’t make rash decisions you’ll regret at a later stage. Your dilemma, like mine, doesn’t change how we feel for each other. But we’re a couple now so you’ll move in with me, obviously, and we’ll manage until you’re settled workwise. Two can live as cheaply as one. Then we can look at getting a place together that we can afford maybe, so that you can keep the house here, too. That works for me, how about you?’
‘If you’re happy with that, then great. But I want us to have the best start, Lexie, and it’s important to me that you understand that I need you, more than I need the house.’
He replaces the croissant on the tray, and I grab his hand before he can retract it.
‘If you let it out, then it’s a place we can return to as a couple for holidays ourselves and where better? Who knows what the future might bring, anyway? For now, take the only decision you can that makes any sense at all.’
He closes his eyes for a moment, moved by my words.
‘Let’s do this. I know the moment you’re gone I’m going to be desperate to join you, so I’ll start the ball rolling straight away. I know it’s quick, but I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life than I am about you.’ He leans in to seal the deal with a lingering kiss and before pulling away trails his fingers down over my shoulder. My skin tingles at his touch, as I imagine what it will be like waking up next to him every single day of my life.
‘Me, neither. Now get into party mode. Everyone is arriving at noon and it’s going to be a full-on day.’
There are going to be some surprised faces on my return, when I break the news. If only we were flying back together it wouldn’t feel quite so daunting
. I know that once they get to know him, they’ll see what a wonderful man Ronan is and why he captured my heart. But the parting isn’t going to be easy and that weighs heavily upon us both.
There are few clouds in the sky today, and it’s a brilliant blue – the sort of colour that is mesmerising and when it catches your attention you can’t help but gaze upwards. It’s one of those days when your heart soars because you feel so happy to be alive and spring is a reminder that summer is coming.
With two hours to go, Philippe and a group of guys are all still working on the fountain. It’s a clever, romantic and slightly crazy idea, but who doesn’t love the sound of water in the background? Although so far, it’s more of a dribble than a cascade.
Philippe has set it up in the middle of the courtyard and an electrical wire runs into Renée’s house. It’s all been taped securely to the cobbled floor and we rearranged the tables so there’s no fear of anyone tripping over it.
With my car parked out on the street first thing this morning, Ronan and I had a tidy up and were able to set the long trestle table up inside the opening to the garage, creating a little more space in the courtyard. Moving the ladders to the rear, we stacked the boxes of beer, wine and water to obscure the general garage muddles. There was even some bunting left over and Ronan managed to hang it from the wooden beam above the opening.
There’s a huge half-barrel of ice now, too, after a delivery van turned up and several of the guys helped to carry in the heavy plastic bags. I’m buffing glasses, as Ronan finishes off lining everything up. He’s waiting for Philippe to come and instruct him on how to make up the cocktails and we have two of the largest silver punch bowls I’ve ever seen, ready and waiting.
There’s a loud gasp and finally the little drizzle from the fountain has turned into an enormous shower, raining down on the guys who have been trying to figure out what was blocking the flow of water. There’s a little raucous laughter and I guess that whatever was causing the problem has now been flushed through.
Well, a party in Versailles wouldn’t be quite the same without a fountain, now would it? After a little adjustment to the flow, there’s a big round of applause and Solange appears, the rowdy celebration having filtered through into Renée’s kitchen.
‘Magnifique!’ she declares, her hands flying up to her face, which sports a look of pure joy. Behind her Renée’s face is a picture, too.
I stop buffing for a moment and gaze around. This is the embodiment of quintessentially French chic, and it couldn’t be more romantic because of that. The tables and chairs are weathered and charming; the floral displays add a glorious profusion of colour in alternating pink and white. The bunting is delightful, fluttering in the breeze like gossamer wings, and frames the courtyard as it hangs from the trees. The long buffet table is covered in beautiful white antique lace tablecloths, ready and waiting to display a homemade feast.
The front of number six now has its own pop-up garden, with an array of silver pots full of gorgeous white lilies and tall, leafy stems of various types of greenery. Two of Solange’s friends arrived with their arms full, first thing this morning. Already I can breathe in and capture the pungent eucalyptus, sweet bay, vibrant rosemary and wisps of ivy.
‘You’re loving this, aren’t you?’ Ronan sidles up to me, interrupting my little moment of sheer bliss.
‘This is idyllic.’
And it really is. My time here in France may be limited, but I’ll always have my memories of this most perfect springtime at Versailles. And when I do have to leave, Ronan will join me as soon as he can. To have both of our families around us will be a blessing and the best start we could have asked for.
He leans in to kiss me and whispers, ‘I promise you one thing – I’m going to make sure you get the party of your dreams when it’s our turn, my darling.’
I grin, shaking my head and laughing. ‘Flowers, French delicacies and fountains… hmm. I think maybe Prosecco, pizza and posh raincoats – it is the UK we’re talking about, after all.’
He leans back. ‘There’s a true romantic in here, you know, and I’m going to embrace it,’ he says, tapping his chest with his hand. ‘Who says we can’t bring a little Versailles magic to wherever we end up living together?’
At this moment the sky couldn’t be any bluer and the birds couldn’t sing any louder. As I stare deep into Ronan’s eyes my heart soars. He loves me every bit as I’ve come to love him. What more could any woman ask for to make her life complete?
When Solange started to panic about the numbers yesterday, she was right. On the stroke of noon, a steady stream of partygoers makes its way into the courtyard. The guys have only just finished stringing lights in the trees, as this party promises to stretch way into the evening.
Solange is visibly nervous awaiting the arrival of her parents, but I’m caught up helping Ronan behind the bar and it’s probably an hour later before I catch sight of her talking to her father.
‘Ronan, do you think Solange is okay?’ I nod in her direction and he cranes his neck to see what’s going on.
‘I can’t tell from here. Should I wander across?’
‘Would you mind? He doesn’t have a drink. Maybe use that as an excuse and bring him over here to distract him?’
I watch as Ronan interrupts them, and he boldly offers Solange’s father his hand. They shake and all seems well, but Solange turns to glance in my direction. I can tell from her expression that she needs rescuing. Thankfully, the two men turn and walk towards me, engaged in conversation.
Ronan introduces me as his girlfriend and Monsieur Forand shakes my hand rather formally. There’s an awkward silence and I decide that, rather than struggling to string together some suitable words, I’ll ask Ronan to interpret for me.
‘Ronan, can you tell Monsieur Forand that I am very pleased to meet him? Solange has become a very good friend and I know he and his wife must be very proud of their daughter. She is such a hard worker and her love for the Palace of Versailles is a credit to her. Solange and Philippe have spent hours pulling everything together to make this such a special day to share with their family and friends. It couldn’t be more perfect, and I’m honoured to be a part of it.’
Ronan crooks an eyebrow at me, but he does as I ask. The reaction is the same dour look that Monsieur Forand seems to wear quite naturally. After a rather awkward few seconds, I pour a large glass of red wine and he inclines his head a little, wearing what I assume is his version of a smile. Raising the glass up to me, he takes a sip and nods his head briefly, giving his seal of approval. I may just have made a new friend.
As he walks away, I let out a sigh of relief.
‘Do you think he took the hint?’
‘I hope so. But I’ll keep an eye out in case anything untoward develops. Any other worries?’
I shake my head. ‘It’s all good. And the happy couple are both glowing.’
‘Let me take over here and you can go and grab something to eat from the buffet. Did I tell you how lovely you look in that dress you’re wearing?’ His arm wraps around my waist as he stoops to steal a quick kiss. But I don’t let him off that easily and one kiss turns into two, then three.
‘I’m glad you approve of my outfit,’ I half whisper, pulling away from him with great reluctance.
It’s something I picked up when we were shopping for Ronan’s house and I saw it in the window of a little boutique. An impulse purchase, really, as it’s not a style of dress I’d normally choose. Floaty is a perfect description for it. It’s comprised of several fine layers of silk organza, large roses printed in very soft pinks and mauves making it floral without being overtly so. The result is a shimmer of colour; old-style romantic chic, I’d call it. With long sleeves and a slim navy-blue belt at the waist, it drapes beautifully. It has the sort of skirt you want to swish, and I feel elegant today.
Ronan continues to gaze at me, dropping his arms and grabbing my hands quite intently as if he’s about to say something important.
> I hear my name, but it isn’t Ronan speaking and reluctantly I drag my gaze away from his face.
We both turn and my hands fall from Ronan’s grasp.
‘Jake, what on earth are you doing here?’ I almost hiss at my brother as he approaches, his arms filled with a ridiculously large bouquet of flowers.
I rush up to him and lean in, seeing that several people are already looking our way, having noticed the new, and unexpected, arrival.
‘This is an engagement party. What were you thinking, turning up like this? Our hostess, Solange, is coming this way. Pretend the flowers are for her and say congratulations.’
I pull away from him and decide it will look odd if I don’t kiss his cheek, so reluctantly I play the adoring sister. It’s hard to relax my face as I do so, then turn back around to face the smiling Solange.
‘Surprise,’ I say, trying my best to make it sound genuine. ‘Solange, this is my brother, Jake. I hope you don’t mind him gatecrashing the party.’
She immediately looks across at him as he proffers the flowers, bending to kiss her on both cheeks. It’s so typical of him. There isn’t even a hint of embarrassment or awkwardness in his demeanour.
‘Hearty congratulations on your engagement, Solange, and it’s lovely to meet you. My sister said it was going to be a wonderful party. The decorations are fabulous, by the way – you did a great job.’
What a cheek he has! For starters he wasn’t invited and what the heck is he doing here, anyway?
She lowers her head to sniff the fragrant assortment of very expensive flowers and proceeds to thank Jake profusely, much to my embarrassment.
‘I’m going to whisk him away for a quick chat, but, at some point, we’ll seek out Philippe and I’ll make sure they are introduced. Ronan is running out of lemons and limes, I think – are there any in the kitchen?’