‘It hadn’t occurred to me the chateau and the farm could be a proper business. It’s always been a passion; I never thought it could be a way of making money.’
‘You have several small outbuildings. You could turn them into accommodation for visitors. David had lots of thoughts about it.’
‘I’ll have to think about this.’
‘You would need someone to run the bookings for you. And you’d need someone to organise everything, to arrange cleaners, to see about the bedding. A housekeeper.’
‘And we need one here. I’ve just learnt that Mme Carrier isn’t coming back.’
‘If you did all this so that renting the buildings earned money, would you be able to stay at home more in future, do you think?’
He nodded. ‘Possibly. I haven’t thought about renting the buildings to holidaymakers before. My plan is for the children to go to boarding school, but not like the ones Lucinda has brought prospectuses for. One that could provide a cello teacher for Henri, for a start.’
‘I do agree; the right school would be the best for them all, if you can find it.’
Stéphie was the first one down, rubbing her eyes and holding her book, which was Snowball the Pony by Enid Blyton. ‘You weren’t there, Lexi. I wanted to finish the book.’
‘I know, I’m sorry. I got up early. I had to cut my hair. Look!’
Stéphie frowned. ‘It looks the same to me. Good morning, Papa.’
‘Good morning, ma petite. Would you like a croissant? I’ve just brought them from the boulangerie.’ Antoine held out the paper bag. Stéphie reached in and took one.
‘Here,’ said Alexandra to Stéphie. ‘Have a plate for your croissant. Do you want butter or anything on it?’
‘No, thank you,’ said Stéphie.
‘I’ll make some hot chocolate,’ said Alexandra. ‘Ah, here’s Henri.’
‘Félicité is still asleep,’ said Henri, taking a croissant from the bag.
‘I’ll need her to get up,’ said Antoine. ‘We’re going out for the day.’
‘Great,’ said Henri. ‘Or is it culture? I’m not keen on culture.’
‘Dear boy, how can you say that?’ asked David, coming in, Jack following him. ‘Culture is all that matters in life.’
‘You only think that if it includes food,’ said Jack. ‘Morning, everyone. What’s the plan for the day?’
‘I’m taking the family to visit an old friend of mine. He has young people around the same age and he’s invited us to spend the day with them all.’ He paused. ‘I have to go back to Paris the day after tomorrow and I thought it would be nice to have a day out.’
Stéphie took a very deep breath. ‘The day after tomorrow?’ she said. ‘The day after tomorrow? You are going away then?’
‘Yes,’ said Antoine gently, obviously trying to make it easier for Stéphie.
Stéphie threw down her croissant. ‘It’s my birthday the day after tomorrow!’ she announced, and burst into furious tears.
Henri, who was nearest, gave her an awkward hug and patted her.
A few horrified moments ticked by.
‘OK, I have an idea,’ said Alexandra more calmly than she felt. ‘In England the Queen has two birthdays. She has her own, ordinary birthday and an official birthday. Why don’t we make your official birthday tomorrow? And then you can have another birthday on the actual day?’
‘Ooh,’ said Henri. ‘Two cakes! How about that, Stéphie? There will be two cakes, won’t there?’
‘Of course,’ said David.
‘Does the Queen have two cakes?’ asked Stéphie, whose tears had turned to outraged sniffing.
