Page 37 of The Little Provence Book Shop

The moment was broken by this little display of defiance and they both laughed. ‘We’re not fighting, love,’ said Adeline. ‘Just talking about boring grown-up stuff.’

He waited until they’d eaten dessert, paid the bill and exited into the sunny street before raising it again. Lili was running ahead now, skipping and singing to herself, when Kevin cleared his throat. ‘Look, I don’t want to fight. But I do know that I want to say this before I go. I wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t.’

‘I get it. I understand what you’re saying about France and Lili and London. And I do appreciate it. It’s nice you care enough to be a pain in the arse about it,’ she said, raising an eyebrow.

‘Hey, I’m your brother. It’s my job.’

She laughed.

‘And I guess I wanted to say you’re not the only one who feels lonely.’ He shrugged as if it didn’t matter. ‘Not the only one who wants a connection.’

‘Oh, Kevin.’ She put her arm around him. ‘Come on. It’s not like we’re so far away.’

‘You’re in a different world.’

She snorted. ‘Kevin, you live in London. There’s a different world around every corner. We’re just trying something. It’ll be OK.’

‘Just make sure you think about it,’ he said, firmly. ‘That you’re not being…’ He trailed off.

‘Not being what?’ She took her arm away and stood to face him.

‘Selfish.’

She felt heat rise inside her and before she knew what she was doing she shoved him in the chest. ‘Selfish! Oh, that’s rich.’

He stumbled back slightly, surprised, then stepped towards her again, mouth open as if he wanted to say something. But before he could reach her, there was the sound of running feet and a tall man rushed up and grabbed Kevin’s arms, pinning them behind his back.

‘What the…?’ Kevin turned slightly to see his assailant.

It was André.

‘André!’ Adeline said, then in French, ‘What are you doing?’

‘He’s hurting you.’

‘No. No, he’s not.’

He nodded. ‘In the cafe. I saw how he spoke to you. And now, you are shoving him away. Your boyfriend, he is not a nice man.’

Adeline felt her cheeks get hot, she gave a little laugh. Kevin looked on, confused and not understanding a word. ‘André, he’s my brother. Not my boyfriend. And yes, we’ve argued. But honestly, he’d never hurt me.’

Slowly André released Kevin’s arms. Her brother rubbed his wrists, like a prisoner on TV being removed from handcuffs, and glowered at André.

‘It’s OK,’ Adeline said to him. Then to André, ‘Thank you,’ she found herself saying. ‘It was… well, kind of you to try to help.’

André nodded. His face was flushed, and his eyes shining. ‘And you are sure you’re OK?’ He lifted his hand and touched her shoulder lightly, his eyes not wavering.

‘Yes,’ she said. ‘I’m fine.’ She felt herself locked for a momentin his gaze. And just for a second she felt as if she knew him, as if André’s soul was speaking to hers.

She shook herself. It was the wine talking. Yes, André had deep, beautiful eyes but she was deluding herself by reading anything into the look. He barely liked her.

Ahead of them in the street, Lili had turned and was watching. André nodded, said a gruffPardon, Monsieurto Kevin, then turned and began to walk back to the cafe.

‘What the hell was that about?’ said Kevin, once André was safely out of earshot.

‘I’m not entirely sure.’ She watched André as he reached the cafe, looked up briefly then disappeared inside. ‘I think he was trying to protect me. He thought you were my boyfriend.’

‘Well, you’re right about one thing,’ Kevin said, regaining his equilibrium.

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