‘Solid. Don’t worry, the team won’t let you down.’
‘I should hope not!’ she cries. ‘I didn’t spend a fortune on sending you all those outlandish pirate costumes for nothing.’
‘Oh yeah, thanks for that,’ I say drily. ‘The boys were all very excited about them. The feathered plumes in the hats are particularly preposterous.’
‘Unpardonably large,’ she says, winking at me.
I laugh, shaking my head. ‘All right, I’d better go. Enjoy your adventures and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.’
‘Believe me, I’m doingplentyof things you wouldn’t do. All in the name of research, of course. I don’t think I’ve ever had more wild fun in my entire life.Romantically, I mean. Do you know what I mean?’
‘Yes, god, Mum, gross!’ I make a face. ‘You really don’t need to spell it out for me. Just. . . make good choices.’
‘Never!’
I roll my eyes. ‘Okay, bye then.’
‘Goodbye, darling, love you!’
We hang up and I jump to my feet, messaging Nico to let him know that I’ll be with him soon before I get ready to leave the house and head to the chateau. As I climb into my little car that I bought second-hand from one of Mathieu’s friends a couple of months ago, I put my liked songs playlist on shuffle and turn up the volume. Sunglasses on, I set off, driving beneath clear blue skies and dazzling sunshine, admiring the colourful decorations adorning the streets of this charming town that hail the start of the festival. As I turn from the main road onto the long driveway, I smile to myself as one of Dad’s favourite songs comes on, filling the car with its stirring melody and lyrics. My heart lifts. Even without him here, he still finds a way to make my world better. My grin widens as I drive through the vineyards towards the chateau, knowing Nico will be waiting there for me, like always.
