The villa was proving to be a better location for the retreat than she’d expected. Hidden away but virtually on the bord de mer, with its easy access into Antibes, was perfect. It would make a wonderful permanent replacement venue for the retreats, but she knew it was a one-off deal and there was very little point in even raising the rest of the year’s retreats with Guy. They hadn’t even told him about the sale of the other villa. Guy had helped them out because he was a friend, but Sandy was sure that as soon as the hurt over losing Jacqueline had healed a little more, he would start thinking about the future. Even go travelling for a few months like he’d mentioned. Afterwards there was always the possibility he would re-open Villa Celestia as a ‘restaurant with rooms’, but somehow Sandy doubted it. Guy’s heart wasn’t in the business any more. The last nine months had changed him. What he would do in the future was anyone’s guess.
* * *
They were all enjoying a delicious dessert course of profiteroles on Friday evening when Becky broke the news to Sandy and everyone that she planned to spend the weekend with Xavier.
‘He knows someone with Hollywood connections whom he wants me to meet. They’re only in Antibes for forty-eight hours before going on to Cannes for the Film Festival.’
‘Oooh, sounds exciting,’ Mandy said.
‘If nothing else, I should be able to get some decent social media content for a couple of days. Haven’t managed to find any exciting content apart from the evening aperitif walks this week. Besides, I’ve written twenty-five thousand words since Monday, so I feel I deserve some fun time.’ Becky glanced at Sandy. ‘I’ve sent you the file to read ready for our one-to-one next week.’
‘I look forward to reading it,’ Sandy said. ‘And talking it through with you.’
‘I can’t guarantee being back by midnight on Sunday, so I’ll be back early on Monday morning.’ Becky pushed her chair back and stood up. ‘Going to throw a few things into my weekend bag and leave you all to it. Enjoy the weekend, I know I will. Ciao.’
It was Isobel who broke the silence that followed Becky’s departure. ‘I don’t understand why you’d spend money on a retreat and then leave for two days? Not to mention how disrespectful it is to you, Sandy. I have to say, I’m loving every minute of being here and I’m sure the others all agree with me.’
The other four gave a loud united, ‘Definitely.’
‘I am a little disappointed that Becky has decided to have the weekend off,’ Sandy said slowly. ‘But as I told you on the first day, you are all free to use the fortnight for writing, networking or treat it as a holiday. Becky has obviously decided to go for the networking option.’ She smiled at them.
‘I’ll tell you what, though,’ Mandy said. ‘Becky has convinced me to up my profile on Instagram when I get home. I’d quite like some of the action she’s getting. Mind you, her action is based in the South of France – don’t think videos of night life in my Somerset village are going to have quite the same vibe.’
22
Sandy was on edge Saturday morning as she went downstairs for breakfast and to prepare for the usual daily informal session. Romain’s ten o’clock appointment with the bank was weighing heavily on her mind and she struggled to push it to one side as everyone drifted down.
It was mid-morning, as she was helping herself to yet another coffee after everyone had wandered away to do their own thing, when Romain rang.
‘So, good news or bad news?’ she said as she answered the call.
‘He’s said he’d be happy to consider giving us a business mortgage based on a good deposit, our four-year figures and our business plan, when we find a property. He thought the business plan was really well worked out and diversifying into different things, like photography, art and yoga with qualified instructors, was the way to go,’ Romain said. ‘He’s going to send us a letter next week, basically outlining how big a mortgage the bank would be prepared to offer us. He’s also going to get the property agency linked to the bank to send us details of properties in our price range.’
‘Well, that’s something positive, I suppose,’ Sandy said. ‘Did his idea of the price range coincide with ours?’
‘Sort of. He’s going to put details in the letter.’
Sandy sighed. ‘Well, I’m just not going to think about it at all until this retreat has finished and I’m back home. I’ll write and cancel the June retreat and offer refunds then.’
Finishing the call with Romain, Sandy picked up her laptop and went out into the garden, where the other five were all beavering away.
* * *
Liz wore one of her new dresses for the aperitif walk into town and for dinner that evening, telling herself she wasn’t dressing up for her ‘date’ later but acknowledging inwardly to that she was probably lying to herself.
‘Pretty dress, new?’ Isobel asked as Liz joined her in the hall.
‘Yes. It’s one of the two I bought with the swimming costume,’ Liz said. ‘No point in leaving them in the bag,’ she added defensively.
‘True,’ Isobel said. ‘Nice eyeshadow. You sure you haven’t got a date later?’
Liz sighed. Should she tell Isobel about Guy’s invitation? Get some reassurance she was doing the right thing? She hadn’t told Isobel about the drink in the secret garden cafe. So that would have to be told too.
‘I think it’s being down here – something about the Riviera air makes me want to look my best, and I haven’t felt like that in a long time,’ Liz added quietly.
‘I agree. The Riviera is so vibrant and alive, it definitely makes one feel good,’ Isobel said, smiling. ‘Maybe it’s all the vitamin D from the sunshine.’
Liz knew that Isobel was about to say something else when a mobile began to ring.
