‘Okay. I might have another word with her, but then let it go, as you say. Looking on the bright side, when you re-open, she might help with publicity,’ Sandy said.
Guy looked at her silently for several seconds before giving a small shrug and shaking his head. ‘Not going down that road just yet. If ever.’
17
After the next morning’s informal session with Sandy, Liz decided to walk into Antibes for a wander around the shops and to buy a swimming costume. She briefly thought about asking Isobel if she would like to accompany her but decided some time alone would be good. The story in her head was starting to come together and she’d made copious notes, but did she have enough to begin writing?
There was a gentle on-shore breeze as Liz walked along the coast road, but the sun was already high in the sky and she was glad of both her sunglasses and her hat. As she strolled along, she thought about her story and the various directions it could possibly go in. She’d written brief backstories for the two main characters and she knew a couple of the scenes that were going to propel the action forward. After lunch today she decided she would write the opening scene.
Leaving the ramparts, Liz soon found herself at the bustling Marché Provençal and stood for a moment to take in the atmosphere. It was everything she’d ever thought a Provençal market would be. Vegetables piled high on tables, a rainbow of brightly coloured tomatoes, aubergines, peppers, lettuces, artichokes, mushrooms, carrots, all nestling together. Cheeses filled the air with their pungent aroma as the lid was lifted on the cool storage unit. Olives, tapenade, oil were on another stall. Liz quickly took a few photographs, hoping she could capture the atmosphere of the place to remind her of the different smells when she was back home.
At the top of the market, she watched intrigued as a man stoked his domed wood-burning oven, before placing a huge flat round metal dish over the heat. The sign on his trailer offered slices of Socca for €3. Liz determined to return another time and try a slice, but today she wanted to find and buy a swimming costume.
After leaving the market, Liz walked down one of the main streets and found herself on the edge of Place Nationale. Wandering past the bandstand, she made a mental note of a poster announcing a concert of some description for that evening. She was beginning to despair of finding what she was looking for, when she was drawn down a narrow lane to a small boutique with a rail standing on the pavement outside the shop, full of floaty summer dresses and kaftans and to her delight several swimming costumes.
Half an hour later, she left the boutique clutching three carrier bags, having not only bought a swimming costume but also a kaftan and two pretty sundresses. Strolling through Place des Martyrs de la Résistance, Liz wondered about stopping for a coffee, but all the pavement cafe tables were busy with couples and families. She decided instead to make her way in what she hoped was the direction of the sea and find a road that would take her down to the bord de mer and back to the villa.
‘Liz?’ a man’s voice called. Liz hesitated, there was a vague familiar lilt to the voice but she didn’t know anyone here in Antibes, so it must be another Liz. But the call came again. Stronger this time. ‘Liz.’ This time she did stop, turning to see who was calling. Her face broke into a smile when she saw Guy a few yards behind her.
‘Hi. Fancy seeing you here.’
‘I recognised your hat and I was wondering whether I could buy you a coffee,’ Guy said. ‘If you’re not in a rush to get back to the villa and write?’
‘That would be lovely, but the cafes are busy, I’m not sure there are any seats anywhere.’
‘I know a place not five minutes away where there are always seats,’ Guy said. ‘It’s this way,’ and he pointed towards one of the narrow streets. ‘Can I take your bags for you?’
‘Thank you,’ Liz said, handing them over. ‘I only came out to buy a swimming costume and couldn’t resist buying a couple of dresses as well.’
‘You’re joining the early-morning swimmers?’
Liz nodded. ‘I haven’t been swimming for years, but I can’t resist a swim in the Mediterranean. Anyway, what are you doing in town? I thought you spent the mornings slaving away in the kitchen.’
‘I had to bring some paperwork into my accountant. Zoe is in charge of lunch today. Rest assured, I shall be slaving away this afternoon for your dinner this evening.’
‘Glad to hear it.’ Liz laughed.
Thirty metres along the street, Guy guided her through the open doorway of a tall narrow building and Liz found herself in a secret garden. People were sitting at tables and chairs scattered around the cobblestone courtyard with its tubs of blue plumbago, flowering lemon trees, red oleander bushes and tall agapanthus about to burst into flower.
‘What a delightful, unexpected place,’ Liz said, looking around as they settled themselves at a vacant table for two set back under the shade of a linden tree. ‘I’m guessing locals use it more than visitors.’
‘Yes, so no telling anyone – it’s our secret, okay?’ Guy smiled at her. ‘Now, I know I offered you coffee but they also serve wine – would you like a glass of rosé? An aperitif for lunch.’
‘Why not, that would be lovely. Thank you.’
Liz was surprised when Guy stood up as a woman came over to take their order. The woman gave a start of surprise as she saw who it was.
‘Guy. How lovely to see you. It’s been a long time since you’ve been here.’ And she leant in, kissed him on the cheek and hugged him before turning to look at Liz. ‘I don’t know who you are, but well done on getting this man socialising again.’
‘Thank you, Marie,’ Guy said. ‘Can we have a demi-carafe of rosé please.’
As Marie left, Guy sank back down onto his chair.
‘She was a good friend of my wife,’ he said by way of explanation, before falling silent.
‘You’ve shut yourself away since your wife died?’ Liz asked quietly, breaking the silence.
Guy nodded. ‘I closed the villa down the day Jacqueline died. The retreat is there as a favour to help out Sandy and once you all leave, I shall shut it down again.’
