Meg didn’t relax until they were well on their way to Provence, in David’s enormous Peugeot 403 estate.
‘The last time I was in France, headed south, I was on the train going to Alexandra’s wedding!’ she said. ‘I was a bit nervous about making her wedding cake.’
‘And you did that amazingcroquembouche, which turned out wonderfully, as I recall,’ said David. ‘What a day that was!’
As Meg thought back to that golden day, full of friends, food and French glamour, she felt tears gather in her throat. With her being in love with Justin, and Justin being promised to Laura, if not yet officially engaged, she doubted she would ever have a wedding day like that.
‘Are you all right, chook?’ David asked, shooting her a quick glance.
‘I’m fine! I just got a bit of dust in my eyes. And I’m worried that I haven’t brought enough clothes.’ Too late she remembered the rule that if you are going to lie, it’s better to just stick to one untruth, or it looks suspicious.
David, who obviously saw straight through her attempt to pretend she wasn’t having a moment of sadness, patted her knee.
‘Oh, don’t worry about that. Alexandra will take you to the market and get you all kitted out.’
‘I’ve got my working gear, which is the most important thing,’ said Meg. She looked out of the window. ‘It’s lovely to be back in France. It’s so different from Dorset.’ She gave a shuddering sigh.
‘You’re tired,’ David said. ‘Why don’t you shut your eyes and get some sleep?’
Meg felt she would never sleep but shutting her eyes would mean she didn’t have to make conversation. Although David was a relaxing presence, he did worry about her; hiding her broken heart was an effort. No doubt it would all come out when she got to Alexandra’s, but for now, she wanted to appear as if everything was fine.
She did doze a bit and was ready for lunch when David pulled up in front of a small restaurant in a little market town.
‘This place is always very good,’ said David. ‘Do you feel a bit better now?’
‘I do, actually,’ said Meg. ‘Quite a lot better.’
When they were established at a table with theirplat du jouron its way, she said, ‘I feel bad that you’re doing all the driving, David. I should take a turn.’
He brushed her offer aside. ‘I’ve done the journey many times since moving to France,’ he said. ‘The car knows its way without me. I just switch her on andpoint her in the right direction. There’s a spot where I get an hour’s nap, and on I go.’
Meg laughed. ‘You love living in France, don’t you?’
‘I certainly do!’ He broke off a piece of bread and ate it before going on. ‘Are you thinking you might stay over here, too?’
She shrugged. ‘If I survive mystageand get a job, I could. The world is my oyster, after all.’
‘Such a shame they’re not in season. You’ve put the idea into my head now.’
Meg was genuinely amused. She gave David a playful tap on the wrist. ‘Oh, David!’ she said.
‘I know!’ he said. ‘Now tuck in. This is our last meal until Provence.’
At last, the big old car was headed down the drive towards the chateau. Meg could see Alexandra standing in the open doorway. Next to her was a large dog and two cats as well as a couple of teenagers. Meg remembered them all from Alexandra’s wedding and was thrilled to think she’d be with them in a matter of moments.
‘Welcome!’ Alexandra said when the car had pulled up in front of the chateau and Meg had got out. She swept Meg into her arms. ‘We are all so thrilled to have you here! Stéphie is just decorating the table outside. Let me show you the bathroom and then we’ll go and have a drink in the garden.’
The table in the garden was beautiful. Meg couldn’t imagine that the set designers ofA Midsummer Night’s Dreamcould possibly create anything as lovely. Stéphiehad threaded jasmine, roses and honeysuckle together and woven the garland round the dishes, jugs, glasses and carafes that covered most of the surface. The fragrance was heady.
David was already holding a glass of wine next to a very handsome man whom she recognised as Maxime; she’d met him at Alexandra’s wedding. Meg was inclined to be a bit shy of Antoine and Maxime, both glamorous Frenchmen who seemed very sophisticated to her. But she soon relaxed under the influence of food and wine and kindness.
‘Are you sure you’ve had enough to eat?’ asked Alexandra a little later. ‘You wouldn’t like some cheese?’
‘I can’t wait to try all the cheeses when I’m not so full or so tired,’ she said.
Alexandra got up from the table. ‘Come on, let’s get you up to bed. You’re not starting at the restaurant tomorrow, are you?’
‘No, I certainly hope not. I think I start on Monday?’ Meg looked across at Antoine, who nodded.
