‘We’re going to have a couple of extras for dinner tomorrow,’ he tells Mum as she wanders in.
So they come, and of course Dad rouses himself and is actually enthralled by the young people around our table as we all tuck in. Minnie meanders around, lookingfor scraps, and I think how lucky I am to be here, on this beautiful island with the people I love the most, with Bob being looked after at home by Kim and Lorenzo. The oldest collie in London may no longer be in London, but he’s still going strong, and when we come home he bounds towards me, ears flapping, delighted to see us all.
If I had a gratitude journal it would be filled to the brim, and as the months go by, I find myself missing Charlie but also glad he’s living his own life on the island. It was time for him to spread his wings.
Then one weekend in October, when the garden has turned golden, he comes home on a visit on the same day a parcel arrives for me. James and Charlie watch as I tear it open, and lift out a glossy hardback book.
I open it, and focus on the words on the opening page:
A Corsican Kitchen by Lauren Summer
‘This looks great, Mum,’ Charlie says as James hugs me and Bob settles at my side.
Together we turn the page to Chapter One.
