Page 66 of The Christmas Star

Listening to Mum, I knew she was right. I would have planned everything down to the last detail and spent more time worrying about the itinerary than enjoying what we were doing.

‘We didn’t start out with Christmas in mind. But Jackson was going to be on his own because poor Theo had to work and then you brought that blooming brochure round, although the less said about that the better.’ Maeve sighed. ‘We just thought bugger it. Although if I’m honest, a part of me wanted to show you there’s more to me than afternoon bingo and chair exercise.’

I let out a laugh. ‘Oh, I think you’ve proved that.’ I took a deep breath and exhaled. ‘I really am sorry, Mum. It’s just since Dad died…’

‘I know. And I’m sorry too. I haven’t exactly made things easy since he passed. But this trip wasn’t just about meeting Gisèle. I needed to reconnect with the Maeve I used to be. I don’t know how to live without your dad, but she does. I thought she could give me some tips.’

‘And did she?’ I asked.

Mum smiled and nodded. ‘You could learn a thing or two from her as well.’ She patted my leg and chuckled. ‘I still can’t believe you’re here. Next time I go on an adventure, I’ll save you the trouble and leave a note.’

‘You’ll do more than that. You’ll talk to me about it. Give me a heads-up before you tell the world.’

Mum’s eyes lit up. ‘Have you seen how well our TickyToks are doing? That lad’s got his own fan club.’ She looked over at Theo and Jackson who chatted animatedly, her expression at once wistful. ‘He’s been through a lot, you know. He needed this break as much as I did.’

As if sensing us watching them, Theo returned our gaze. ‘Any idea where Hôtel Maison is? he asked.

‘Do we? It’s where we’re staying. Run by a lovely young couple. Élodie and André. The rooms are modern. Almost minimalist. Right up your street, Erin.’

‘Excellent. You can lead the way.’ Theo smiled. ‘I’ve just booked us in for the night.’

‘I thought they only had two single rooms? And we’ve got them, haven’t we, Jackson?’ Maeve shook her head. ‘Then again, my French isn’t brilliant. I could easily have misunderstood.’ She sighed and approaching Jackson, linked arms with him. ‘I suppose this means the end of our trip,’ she said. ‘They’ll no doubt want to drag us back home.’

As they set off walking, Roma tootled alongside.

‘At least you got to meet Gisèle,’ Jackson said. ‘That’s the main thing.’

‘It means we’ll have to find something else to TickyTok about,’ Maeve said. ‘We’re going to have to get our thinking caps on.’

I shook my head and smiled as I watched them.

‘There’ll be no stopping them now, you know.’ Theo placed an arm around my shoulder. ‘Today France, tomorrow I dread to think.’

‘That’s what’s worrying me,’ I said.

CHAPTER 42

The four of us sat in the bar of the hotel, a pet-friendly establishment, so Roma slept on Jackson’s knee.

It was a lovely space with leather sofas and contemporary curved banquette seating in blush pink, both adorned with embroidered scatter cushions that gave them an almost homely feel. There were low round black tables to put drinks on, and the wall shelves behind us displayed small sculptures, framed artwork and lines of old books. What Mum called minimalist, I called cosy.

‘You know what I’ve enjoyed the most about this trip?’ Maeve said. ‘Apart from having the pleasure of this young man’s company.’ She reached over and squeezed Jackson’s hand. ‘The driving. Why I didn’t listen to Derek, I don’t know. He was always on at me to get behind the wheel, but would I do it?’

‘Maeve said Violet’s mine when I’ve passed my test,’ Jackson said. He suddenly flashed me a look as if he’d said something he shouldn’t.

I couldn’t blame him for being nervous about my response. The Erin he was used to hadn’t exactly been kind. She’d been judgemental and assumed he was up to no good and knowing what Jackson had been through, just the thought of that behaviour riddled me with guilt.

‘I don’t know about that,’ Theo said. ‘A car’s one hell of a gift.’

‘It’s not like I’ll be using it,’ Maeve said.

I cocked my head, confused. ‘Why not? You just said you like driving.’

‘I want something new. Like a Honda Jazz. It’s a hatchback, with high seating and wider doors so I can get in and out a bit easier. That’s much more me than a ruddy great Volvo.’

I let out a laugh. ‘You’ve certainly done your research.’ I pictured Mum whizzing around Settledown, but after the roundabout and ramp issues, I couldn’t help but think it was sheer luck rather than skill that had kept her and Jackson safe. The thought of Mum on the road still worried me and I wondered if it might be an idea for her to sign up for a few lessons. A kind of reintroduction to driving course. ‘Maybe you could…’

‘Already booked,’ Maeve replied, quick as a flash. She leaned into Jackson. ‘Didn’t I tell you she’d say that?’