‘Cute…’
‘It gets cuter. Laura’s youngest sister, Ellie, also has a daughter, called Bonnie, who’s another bridesmaid, along with Isabella, who’s Fiona’s daughter and is a little bit older than Gabriel There’s another couple of boys but I’ve forgotten their names.’
‘I’m not surprised.’ Luc was blinking. ‘I’ve lost count now.’
‘They’re both Bonnie’s brothers. One that’s quite a bit older, from a previous relationship, I think, and a baby who might not be walking yet.’
‘Just as well.’ Luc shook his head as he used his fork to dip a spear of asparagus into the foamy sauce. ‘Have you got someone coming from anl’école maternellewho’s used to controlling so many small children?’
‘I’ve got something much better,’ Sophie said, with a grin. ‘My meeting this afternoon was with someone who specialises in children’s parties. She’s providing all the games and activities for this family-day-at-the-beach wedding. There are water wings and floating animals they can play with in the sea and so many games to play on the beach.’
‘Likeraquettes de plage? With the little wooden paddles and soft balls? I remember playing that when I was little.’
‘Yes. There’s that. And frisbees. And she’s bringing paints so they can paint some big pebbles. Oh… and they’re bringing the family donkeys.’
Luc almost choked on his mouthful of food.
‘You’re kidding…’
Sophie shook her head. ‘Look…’ She opened her phone. ‘Laura sent me a photo a while back.’ She was scrolling through her emails. ‘She said her sisters have persuaded her that they’re part of the family so they need to be there. They’ll be happy to give the children rides. Here they are…’ She turned the screen so Luc could see. ‘This is Marguerite and Coquelicot and that little black one is called Bouton. Pretty cute, huh?’
Luc found his smile widening. ‘Si mignon,’ he agreed. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen such cute donkeys. But, at a wedding? This is certainly going to be different. I think you’re right – I’m going to enjoy taking these photographs but I am not going to be coming asLe Phénix. Unless that is what your clients have asked for?’
Again, Sophie shook her head. ‘There’s something about this family that is just so genuine, and warm. They will welcome you with open arms, just for who you are. I’ve only heard snippets of their stories but these women are amazing. They’re Scottish and they’re gorgeous they’ve all got wonderfully red hair.’
‘What is a bunch of Scottish women doing in France?’
‘The daughters inherited a house in Tourrettes-sur-Loup from an uncle they’d never met. Laura met Noah because he was the estate agent they were going to use to sell the house. Ellie decided to stay and renovate the house and Julien was her next-door neighbour. You’ll have plenty of time to hear all about it during our day on the beach with them all. You’ll probably end up playing with theraquettes. Or swimming with an inflatable unicorn.’
‘Now you’re talking. We certainly didn’t get a chance to go swimming at Natalia and Henri’s wedding, did we?’
The night they’d kissed for the very first time.
Luc hurried past the memory before it could fry his brain and steal any more words he had.
‘Did I tell you I’ve finished the final version of the album they asked me to have made for them? The tooled-leather binding is beautiful. They’re coming to see me in London next week to collect it.’
Sophie’s eyebrows rose. ‘Does the Phoenix have an office? Will you be wearing your hat? And that leather jacket? With your hair all loose…?’
The flicker that darkened her eyes was almost Luc’s undoing. For a wild moment, he wanted to abandon their meal and escape. To run through the narrow streets with Sophie’s hand in his and get back, as quickly as humanly possible, to his apartment. His bed…
Instead, he cleared his throat. ‘They’re coming to see me as Luc. But I’m going to tell them about Phoenix House. Do you remember that photograph I was lucky enough to catch? With them standing on the rocks with the wind blowing and the waves crashing and the lightning behind them as if the world is ending?’
‘Of course. It’s the most extraordinary photograph I’ve ever seen.’
‘I enlarged it and had it framed. It’s a gift for Natalia and Henri but they’re not recognisable in the image – they’re no more than a silhouette of a bride and groom. I’m going to ask them if they might be willing to let me release it as the last image Le Phénix will ever take. Copies of it could raise an enormous amount of money for the trust.’
‘Thelastimage? Are you going to give up being the Phoenix?’
Luc held Sophie’s gaze. ‘It might be the first time in my life that I don’t want to be anyone other than myself.’
A soft flush of colour painted Sophie’s cheeks as she reached for his hand.
‘Me, too…’
Luc had no idea how long they sat there like that, drowning in each other’s gaze. It wasn’t long enough but they had to break the eye contact as their main courses arrived. The plating of the food was as appetizing as the aroma from the pan-seared John Dory with a beurre blanc sauce, an heirloom tomato salad with parmesan crisps, and crushed potatoes drizzled with basil oil. The message in the silent glance that Sophie shared with Luc before she picked up her fork was as clear as if she’d spoken aloud.
Tom would have loved this…
