‘No, indeed,’ agreed Jack. ‘This is going to be a very grand celebration!’
Stéphie was jumping up and down. ‘I didn’t know old people got married. It’s very exciting.’
‘It’s very rude to refer to people as old,’ said Véronique.
‘Why?’ asked Stéphie. ‘Is it bad to be old?’
‘It’s better than the alternative,’ said Jack.
Penelope’s laugh in response was very like a giggle. She seemed to have turned from the strict grandmother to a woman in love in an instant.
‘The sooner these children go to school, the better,’ muttered Véronique.
‘What do you mean?’ asked Henri
‘I think you need to be at school, chéri,’ said Véronique. ‘I know your mother thinks you – I actually mean Félicité and Henri – should go in January.’
‘We’re not going to that school,’ said Félicité firmly.
‘No,’ Henri agreed, ‘we want to go to the school our friends go to.’
‘Children!’ said Antoine, quiet but firm. ‘This is not the time to talk about schools. We are talking about Penelope and Jack’s wedding.’
‘She started it,’ said Stéphie quietly, looking accusingly at Véronique.
Her father gave her a look which spoke volumes.
‘Maybe Stéphie and I should—’ Alexandra was on her feet, frantically thinking of some urgent activity that she and Stéphie could instantly embark on.
‘Don’t go,’ said Jack. ‘We want to talk to you about our wedding.’
‘Yes,’ said Penelope, looking at Antoine. ‘We want to have it in the old orangery.’
‘Of course,’ said Antoine, looking extremely surprised. ‘But it is not in a state for celebrations. Is there any particular reason?’
Penelope and Jack looked at each other and Penelope definitely blushed.
‘Erm – well …’ said Jack. ‘We met in Saint-Jean-du-Roc before the war. We were both on holiday here. The chateau was empty at the time and we got into the grounds where a wall had broken down.’
‘It started to pour with rain,’ said Penelope. ‘And we decided to take shelter in the orangery.’
‘I see,’ said Antoine. ‘But still, it’s not fit for anything like a wedding.’
‘Far better to have a nice lunch in the local auberge,’ said Véronique.
‘It will be fit for a wedding by the time Lexi and I have finished with it,’ said David, having shot a glance at Véronique, which, had she been looking, would have put her in her place. ‘We might ask Félicité to do a mural.’
Félicité looked pleased. She had been somewhat abashed by the mixed reception her mural in Véronique’s room had received.
‘That will be up to Antoine,’ said Véronique icily. ‘Everyone seems to have forgotten that the chateau is his. He may not wish to have the wedding here.’
Jack looked embarrassed. ‘I’m so sorry. It’s just—’
Antoine raised a hand. ‘I have already said, the chateau and its occupants would be delighted to host your wedding, Penelope and Jack,’ he said, having sent Véronique a look that Alexandra wished she could read. ‘Now, more champagne. Let us toast the orangerie, in the hope that it will be beautified in time. And, Félicité, I think a mural would be a very good place to start!’
Like a conjurer, David produced another bottle of champagne and filled the glasses.
‘To the orangerie,’ said Antoine raising his, ‘and to my dear mother-in-law Penelope and her lucky fiancé, Jack!’
