‘Actually, Laurent, would you like a drink? A glass of wine or a beer? I think we’ve earned one today.’
‘That would be very nice, thank you,’ he says, smiling. He comes back into the cellar and goes to shut the door.
‘Leave it open for a bit,’ I say. ‘Help it dry out.’ I make my way stiffly up the wooden steps.
In the kitchen, I pour a large glass of wine for myself and open a bottle of beer for Laurent, then head outside to the front lawn where the rain has finally stopped. We wave at Geneviève, who is packing up for the night, then stare out at the lake and listen to the wheel turning as the sun sets. ‘It’s a lovely sound,’ I say.
‘It is,’ he replies. ‘It reminds me …’
‘Go on,’ I say.
‘It reminds me of the good things in my life. Like the beating heart of it.’
I wonder if he’s going to say anything more when I hear a shuffle behind us. I am just about to invite Geneviève to join us when I hear, ‘Well, this looks very pleasant. Room for one more?’
And my heart lurches into my mouth.
Chapter 27
It’s Claude, popping the atmosphere like a malicious child stamping on a birthday balloon. I feel angry and sick. He must have come in through the open cellar door and out through the front door, cutting off the corner of the house. He probably wanted to see what’s been going on in the place without having to ask!
For a moment, Laurent doesn’t say anything.
‘Laurent, bonsoir,’ says Claude.
‘Claude,’ Laurent says, taking a swig from his beer.
‘I didn’t know you two were friends,’ says Claude, with an interested smile.
‘Actually, I was just leaving,’ says Laurent, his softness gone and his guard fully up. He swallows some beer and goes to stand.
‘Oh, no, stay,’ I say, looking up at him. ‘Finish your drink.’ I lift my chin. ‘We have things to discuss,’ I tell Claude.
‘As do we.’ He looks at me pointedly. Laurent narrows his eyes. ‘I heard you were planning to open theboulangeriein the village?’
I say nothing.
‘Just a reminder, the village already has a baker providing bread for them.’
‘Not a good one,’ says Laurent.
‘The locals seem quite happy with how things are, and wouldn’t want to change for a person who is here today and will be gone tomorrow. If I take away my vending machine, they willbe left with nothing. And that will be down to you. You won’t be welcome after that.’
He’s threatening me.
‘Allez vous en!’ growls Laurent, telling Claude to go away.
And there’s a pause, unpleasantness filling the air.
‘I’ll leave you to your evening. Laurent.’ He nods again, bidding us goodbye. This time Laurent doesn’t bother to reply, just takes a long sip of his beer.
‘Claude,’ I call.
He turns back, surprised.
‘Use the path around the house, like everyone else,’ I say firmly. ‘This is my property now.’ And he’s not going to intimidate me in it.
He turns back and marches off to the path by the side of the mill.
