‘Voilà!That proves it. He came here because he loves you. You must go homeimmédiatement!’
Meg stayed at work long enough for Justin to arrive at the chateau and settle in, and then did what Pierre told her and went home. She had not known before what a romantic soul he was.
But she drove back with trepidation. Justin didn’t like to be kept waiting and he might demand a decision before she was ready to make one. That said, the Justin who had arrived at the restaurant had a very different demeanour to the man who had roared up to the hotel on his motorbike when she’d first arrived at Nightingale Woods.
Alexandra met her at the front door of the chateau. ‘You’re early! How nice! Antoine is showing Justin round the farm and the buildings we rent out. Come in and let’s take some wine into the garden. I need to know everything.’
‘Just let me wash my hands and I’ll tell you all I know,’ said Meg.
‘I’ll have a glass of rosé poured for you,’ said Alexandra, obviously hoping for some exciting news.
As Meg splashed water and dried her hands she realised she didn’t feel as if she knew or understood anything.
There was a jug of rosé and a plate of charcuterie waiting on the big wooden table when Meg joined her friend. Alexandra knew that Meg didn’t usually eat much at the restaurant.
‘So?’ said Alexandra when Meg had taken a few sips of wine and eaten some salami.
Meg didn’t instantly reply so Alexandra pressed on. ‘Justin told us that he was trying to talk you into going back to the hotel. But it can’t be just that, can it? Did he tell you he loved you?’
‘No! Of course not! I mean, Pierre is convinced that’s what he meant, but he only said how the hotel isn’t the same without me. Laura – his girlfriend – has left Nightingale Woods. I gather she’s left him as well as the hotel. And now the hotel wants me back.’ She ate an olive. ‘I mean, the hotel is functioning – Justin is cooking, my mother and Andrew are doing the front of house – but apparently it needs me as well.’
Alexandra nodded wisely. ‘There’s definitely more to it than just that. It would be crazy to travel all this way to ask you to come back when he could have just rung you up.’ She paused. ‘So do you know what you want to do?’
‘Not yet. I’m doing well at the restaurant. Pierre trusts me now; he’s teaching me things.’
‘So? If you didn’t care about Justin that would be your decision. You’d stay, continue to learn.’
Meg sighed. ‘I’ve got to go back for Mum’s wedding in September. That would be the logical time to go back.’
‘Can you wait that long? Do you want to?’
‘I don’t know, Lexi,’ whispered Meg as they heard Antoine, Justin and Stéphie approaching.
Soon they were all sitting outside under the pergola, drinking rosé and picking at bits of salami.
‘Thank you so much for the tour, Antoine,’ said Justin. ‘Seeing how many buildings you’ve managed to turn into accommodation is really useful. Obviously, we’re not doing quite the same thing at Nightingale Woods, so people cater for themselves, but would come to the hotel for some of their meals, we hope. But in order to make a proper profit we need more rooms.’ He looked at Meg. ‘The hotel’s fortunes were really turned around by Meg here.’
Meg blushed. ‘It was just luck,’ she protested. ‘David knew Russell who wanted to put on a play in the grounds. And – and Nessa’s mother, Lady Lennox-Stanley – or Lady Fussy-Knickers as we called her – met Basil Knott-Dean, the restaurant critic, and brought him to the hotel.’ She paused, remembering. ‘I can’t believe that terrifying woman is Lizzie’s mother-in-law.’
Everyone laughed at her horrified expression.
‘But didn’t you make the guests feel welcome and comfortable and cook them lovely meals that they enjoyed?’ asked Alexandra, one eyebrow raised, obviously determined not to let Meg throw off the praise that Justin had given her.
‘Well …’
‘Of course she did,’ said Justin firmly.
‘Talking of which, is this supper? Or just a snack?’ asked Antoine.
‘A snack. David and Maxime are coming to dinner,’ said Alexandra. ‘And I think the older children are bringing friends.’
‘Oh, good!’ said Stéphie.
‘You must let me help you—’ Meg began.
‘No,’ said Alexandra very firmly. ‘Certainly not. You must rest. You’ve been working.’
‘Then you must let me help,’ said Justin. ‘I haven’t been working in a kitchen all day, like Meg.’
