Page 63 of The Little Provence Book Shop

‘Bloody hell. And you’re dating André?’

‘I don’t know. No. I mean… We’re meeting for a drink. It’s just… I’m not sure I really want all that…’

‘All that? What – Provence’s most eligible bachelor, you mean?’

‘Provence’s?’

‘Oh OK, St Vianne’s at least.’

They smiled. Then Adeline shook her head. ‘I don’t know, Stacey. It just… I like him, obviously. But the last thing I need – Lili needs – is another man to let us down.’

‘Who says he’d do that?’

‘Bitter experience,’ Adeline said, making a face.

Stacey shook her head. ‘I hear you. But you know, maybe give him a chance. He really seems to like you.’

‘Yeah,’ Adeline agreed. ‘Quite a surprise after everything… I was sure he couldn’t stand me at one point.’

‘VeryPride and Prejudice,isn’t it? All the glowering and simmering tension, then whipping you up in his arms.’

‘I thought it wasCoronation Street.’

‘Coronation Streetmeets Jane Austen.’

They laughed, then gradually this died away as Adeline thought again about her mother, what might happen going forward. Stacey was right. It was A LOT. But having said it all out loud had given her a release. She felt more relaxed, more able to smile at it all.

Stacey shook her head. ‘Well, for what it’s worth, I think you’re pretty amazing.’

‘Really?’

‘Yeah. Course. Coming here by yourself. Doing that test. Writing to your mum – your birth mum, I mean.’

‘Thank you.’

‘Plus bagging our resident hunk in the process.’

Adeline smiled. ‘One kiss,’ she said. ‘That’s all.’

‘So far,’ Stacey said, her eyes twinkling. ‘But seriously, your whole life has been blown apart but you’re… I dunno. You’re kind of working through it, and fixing it. I’d probably still be in the denial phase if it were me.’

‘Denial would definitely be easier.’

‘Wine helps,’ Stacey said with a wink.

They slipped into silence for a moment, both finishing the last of their drinks.

‘Thank you.’

‘Don’t be daft, it’s just an orange juice.’

‘No. For coming. For listening.’

Stacey reached a hand over and gave Adeline’s a squeeze. ‘You’re welcome, my love. And look – if it makes you feel any better, I’ve enjoyed it. It’s nice to feel like I’m helping. My kids are all far too big and self-sufficient for me these days. Nice to feel a bit like a mum again. Well, not a mum – you’ve got enough of those – but…’ she trailed off.

‘I know what you mean.’

‘Plus,’ Stacey added with a wicked grin, ‘I’ve always been a big fan ofCoronation Street.’

---