Matt pulled up outside and got out of the car, going around to open the door for Darcie, who hadn’t summoned up the courage to get out. She wasn’t sure why she felt nervous, but she did. Matt took her hand and led her up to the door. He didn’t let go as he rang the doorbell.
After a few moments, the door opened and a woman who looked to be in her late fifties appeared. ‘Oui?’
‘Bonjour, madame,’ began Matt, giving the woman a deferent nod. Darcie listened as he went on to introduce himself and her, and then explain the reason for their visit. It was easier to follow what he was saying, when she already knew the story, but as the conversation expanded and the woman began replying with what sounded like questions, Darcie was lost. Matt had long since let go of her hand and she studied their expressions and looked for clues in the tone of their voices and their body language to gauge how the conversation was going. It would appear Matt was gradually winning her over, and why Darcie thought he would do anything less was beyond her– Matt was amiable and charming. Now the woman was smiling. Not just at Matt, but at Darcie too.
Darcie smiled back, hoping it was the right thing to do. She watched on as Matt finished his conversation and said goodbye to the woman, handing her his business card.
‘So, what’s the news?’ asked Darcie. ‘You’re grinning like the proverbial Cheshire cat.’
‘Let’s get down the road and I’ll tell you,’ said Matt. He waved at the lady, and turning the car around, drove out of the farm and back down the lane.
‘You’re such a tease,’ said Darcie. ‘Tell me. Please.’
‘Patience, patience.’ Matt refused to say any more until they had reached the lake at Ploërmel and had parked the car. As they walked towards the water, he took Darcie’s hand again before coming to a stop at the edge of the sandy man-made beach.
‘You have to tell me now,’ said Darcie.
Matt turned to face her. ‘So, that was Elaine Vachon. She’s lived at the farm all her life. She lives there with her husband and family, also her mother and until recently, her great-aunt.’
‘Matt! You’re really dragging this out on purpose.’ She couldn’t help laughing at her own frustrations and his teasing.
‘I love it when you get animated,’ he said with a grin.
‘Oh my God, if you don’t tell me right now, I swear I’ll …’ she looked around ‘… I’ll take you out in that boat and tie you to the buoy out there until you break.’
‘OK. OK.’ He held up his hands in surrender. ‘Elaine’s great-aunt is called Odile Grandis. Her father Philippe Grandis owned the farm during the war.’
‘Does Odile still live at the farm?’
‘No. She’s in a nursing home.’
‘OK,’ said Darcie slowly.
‘Odile is ninety-five, almost ninety-six, and her memory isn’t great. She’s hasn’t got dementia or anything but, as far as Elaine knows, Odile hasn’t spoken about the war for a long time.’
‘So, is visiting her a possibility or not really?’ asked Darcie.
‘Elaine is going to speak to her mother and, if she’s agreeable, she’s going to arrange for us to visit Odile.’
‘Wow! That’s so generous. I don’t know what you said, but you obviously charmed her.’
Matt looked very pleased with himself. ‘I’m hoping Elaine isn’t the only one my charm is working on.’ His expression changed to one less sure of itself.
‘Don’t look so worried,’ said Darcie. ‘I think your charm offensive is going just fine.’
He placed a hand on her cheek and then dropped a kiss on her forehead. ‘Good. That’s what I like to hear. Now, how about we get a coffee and something to eat? I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty hungry.’
‘You mean you don’t have another picnic stashed away? I’m disappointed,’ said Darcie, this time taking the initiative and slipping her hand into the crook of his arm.
‘Sorry to disappoint.’
‘I’m not sure disappoint is the right word.’
‘Looks like there’s a café further around the lake. We can get some food there.’
They walked along the shoreline to the café and Darcie felt totally comfortable with Matt. Her phone broke the silence that had settled between them.
‘I’d better get it, in case it’s Chloe,’ said Darcie, opening her handbag and quickly locating her phone. She stopped and looked at the screen. ‘Unknown caller,’ she said.
