‘Yes,’ chorused Hattie and Solange before Fliss could answer.
A minute later Marie brought over a small plate filled with the delicate biscuits, along with three cafés au lait.
‘These are so pretty,’ said Fliss. ‘They would be gorgeous served at the end of the meal.’
‘Originally they were made in Reims as an accompaniment to champagne,’ explained Marie. ‘You can dip them in your glass. The flavours complement each other well.’
‘I wonder if I could make heart-shaped ones for the wedding,’ said Fliss.
Solange clapped her hands together. ‘What a wonderful idea.’
‘Oh yes, they would be perfect for thevin d’honneur,’ said Marie, beaming at Solange. ‘Yvette will love that.’
‘Yvette?’ Fliss looked confused.
‘Solange’s daughter,’ said Marie. ‘The bride. We’re all looking forward to it. Only three weeks now. It will be so beautiful for her to have her celebration in the vineyard, where she’s grown up. And with the whole village. It’s going to be so much fun.’
Solange seemed to shrink into her seat, her eyes closing.
‘Enjoy,’ said Marie and sailed off back to her kitchen.
‘Yvette’s getting married,’ said Hattie, slowly piecing new jigsaw pieces together.
‘Yes,’ said Solange in a monotone, her fingers plucking nervously at the hem of her skirt.
‘On the same day as Gabby?’
‘Mm.’ Solange looked positively stricken, staring down at her plate.
‘Oh my god, poor Yvette. No wonder she’s so upset,’ said Hattie, immediately stretching out a hand and laying it on Solange’s arm.
‘I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I didn’t know what to do,’ she said rubbing at her eyes, which had dark shadows underneath them. ‘She was furious that I’d had the rooms cleaned. She’s been trying to persuade you to hold it somewhere else. I was worried about what she might do. But you were so nice and I felt so bad that you were making yourself ill.’ Solange covered her face with her hands. ‘She’s determined to hold the party at the vineyard but I’ve told her there are other vineyards.’
‘But it is her home,’ said Hattie.
Solange nodded wretchedly. ‘But your uncle has given you exclusive use of the grounds and the château. What would he say? Yvette is so stubborn. I’ve tried to talk to her but she’s adamant she has the party at St Martin.’
‘You should have said something. I’m sure we can find a solution.’
‘She wouldn’t let me. And if Monsieur Brémont heard he might ban her from using the château grounds altogether. She never asked permission, just assumed it would be all right because the Brémonts never come. But then Luc turned up and then you.
‘She’s determined to go ahead and hold thevin d’honneurand not tell you, but I’ve no idea how I’m supposed to make, store and have the canapés served on the day. I think you’d also spot the food as well as the two young girls we’re hiring to serve them.’
‘How long does thisvin d’honneurlast?’ asked Fliss. ‘And what exactly is it?’
‘It’s a traditional celebration held after the service at the town hall. Usually all the local people come to wish the bride and groom well and a glass of wine is drunk in their honour. A few canapés are served and then after an hour or two the wedding party move on to a restaurant or somewhere for a meal.’
‘Two hours,’ said Fliss glancing meaningfully at Hattie. ‘That’s nothing.’
‘Depending on the two hours,’ she replied, ‘but we don’t have a timetable yet. What time would Yvette want thevin d’honneurto take place?’
‘I… I’m not sure,’ said Solange, her eyes widening with hope.
‘I’m sure we could make it work,’ said Hattie. ‘We could help with canapés. Annnnd maybe you could help us cook for Gabby’s wedding.’ She looked at Fliss to ensure she was in agreement.
‘That would be ace,’ said Fliss. ‘You’re in charge, Hats.’
‘You would do that?’ asked Solange with a shell-shocked expression.
