Page 21 of The Little Provence Book Shop

She made a face. ‘Not exactly. No. André was quite friendlyuntil…’ She told him about knocking into him in the street, rushing away as his food rolled across the pavement. ‘I’m so embarrassed,’ she said.

Michel laughed. ‘I don’t think André would hold a grudge for this. He’s very easy-going. I will talk to him, don’t worry.’

‘Oh, you don’t need to do that!’

‘It is nothing. I am sure he has barely remembered anyway.’

She hoped not. André was one of the people who made the village what it was; someone she encountered almost every day. And someone, if she was honest with herself, she felt drawn to. It would be nice to clear the air at least.

‘And your job,’ he said, returning to their conversation. ‘You did not enjoy teaching the children?’

She thought of her unruly Year 11s and smiled. ‘Oh, I did. They were great. But in England, there isn’t as much interest in foreign languages as you might think. People aren’t always that motivated. I’d love to be able to really share my passion for it all – and I think choosing to teach students who have decided to specialise could be really fulfilling.’

‘I understand this,’ he smiled. ‘Teachingmathématiqueshas taught me that it is certainly not the subject for everyone.’

She laughed. ‘It never was my favourite subject at school.’

He clutched his heart in mock horror. ‘Mon dieu!’ he said. ‘How could you say this! Maths is a beautiful language of its own.’

‘I’ll take your word for it.’ She finally popped the chocolate in her mouth. It was bitter, soft on her tongue and she closed her eyes momentarily.

‘And the job?’ he said.

‘Sorry?’

‘How did you find it? I don’t think many people have even heard of St Vianne.’

She shook her head. ‘It was strange. I was online. And fed up. And it was just by chance, really, that I did a few Internet searches. You know:Jobs in FranceandTeaching in FranceandPositions vacant– that kind of thing. Looking for something in thedépartement– it’s where my family connection is. Most of what came up was a lot of nonsense. And then I found that I can’t teach here without doing a whole new qualification. I was about to give it all up, but suddenly I found this little ad for the job, tucked in the website of a local paper. And it seemed perfect.’

Michel’s eyes studied her face. ‘Yes, it is strange that you should stumble across this. Just by chance.’

‘Very,’ she agreed.

‘I would not be surprised if…’ he began. Then he shook his head. ‘No matter.’

‘No. Go on. What?’

He laughed. ‘No, I am starting to think like my aunt. I do not believe in her charms, her magic. But sometimes things happen around her,’ he shrugged, ‘well, they are hard to explain.’

She nodded in agreement, feeling something stir inside her. ‘Yes, I know what you mean.’

‘And did you come over for an interview and then…’

‘That was the strange thing. I rang the number on the ad, all ready to explain that I’d need a visa, and why I’d be coming, and hoping to convince someone that I could do a good job even if I wasn’t local, and Monique simply said she was glad I’d called and that I could start as soon as I wanted!’ Adeline still remembered the stunned silence she’d sat in after making the call, somehow having secured herself a job when all she’d meant to do was enquire. ‘I thought about changing my mind, but it all seemed so serendipitous…’ she shrugged. ‘So here I am.’

Michel laughed, shaking his head. ‘This is typical of myaunt. She believes in fate, believes that the right things will come to the right people. I can imagine that she simply felt you would be right, and didn’t need any more proof.’

‘Risky strategy.’

‘Perhaps. But it worked this time,non?’

‘Well, yes.’ Adeline drained the last of her coffee; it was almost time to go. To her surprise, she’d really enjoyed speaking to Michel. There was something open, easy about his manner. ‘Can I ask you something?’ she said.

‘Oui, of course.’

‘Is… I mean I’m not even sure if I believe in this stuff. But… is Monique psychic?’

He smiled, shook his head. ‘I am not sure if I believe inthis stuffeither,’ he admitted. ‘But I would say she is intuitive. She senses things. And sometimes things happen for her that I cannot explain.’

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