Aiguèze is apicturesque medieval village that’s perched right at the top of a rocky peak. It has fortress ruins and is surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, and it’s unbelievably pretty.
It’s a bit of a walk from the car park, but all the same, Jackson wants to make a detour to look at the view from the top of the hill.
“Come on, Gracie,” he urges in the voice he uses to get me to do something that requires more energy than I want to muster.
It has the effect he wants though.
Sandrine, Mellie, and Albert decline his invitation to spend another minute in full sunshine and carry on toward the shaded streets of the village.
Cream sand from the dusty track slides into my sandals as I diligently trail after him, climbing steps carved into the hillside and dodging the occasional overgrown bush. Eventually we reach the top of the hill and are rewarded with a panoramic view of the wide green river far below.
“I reckon that if I could dive down from here and know for sure that I’d survive, I’d do it,” I say.
He laughs. “I definitely would.”
“Oh, I know you would. You’re up for anything.”
He throws me a smile.
“Hey, I forgot to say, I’m sorry I didn’t know that your dad had remarried.” I feel really bad about this. Mellie mentioned it this morning off the back of something Albert told her, but I had no idea. Jackson’s dad has had very little involvement in his life, which has always been painful. “When did that happen?”
“Couple of years ago. I did text you at the time.”
“You didn’t tell me about your dad in a text,” I state with confusion. I’d definitely remember that.
“No, I just asked you to give me a call when you could. You replied to say that you were really busy at work.”
It’s how I responded to most of his texts after he got married. I was brutal at deflecting his attempts to reach out to me. I hate that the situation made it hard for me to be there for him.
“I’m sorry,” I say with regret.
“Don’t sweat it.”
“What’s she like? Your dad’s new wife?”
“Half Mom’s age.”
“Oh dear.”
“Yeah, she’s incensed.”
“I bet.”
We share a knowing smile.
He shrugs. “I try not to think about him too much these days. He made his choice.”
“Are you any closer to changing your surname to Osier like your mum has always wanted?”
He laughs and shakes his head. “No, although she has turned the dial right up on that one.”
Sandrine reverted to her maiden name after the divorce. She wanted Jackson to do the same so that once he inherits his great-grandfather’s legacy, the family business will still be run by an Osier. But over the years he’s steadfastly remained a Cole. He feels loyal to his dad, even though his dad has shown next to no loyalty to him.
He blows out a breath. “Man, is it hot. I could so do with a swim right now.”
He leans forward and peers over the edge.
“Don’t even think about it.Come on, Gracie, dive off a cliff with me!”
