Page 72 of The Little Provence Book Shop

‘She looks exhausted,’ Adeline said, smiling at Monique. ‘I bet you are too?’

‘A little,’ Monique shrugged. ‘But I am excited to hear what you discovered from Sophia. If you wish to share.’

‘Of course, of course I do.’ Adeline inclined her head and they moved to the two small chairs set against a table at the edge of the room. With Lili engaged, they could probably talk without her eavesdropping if they kept their voices low, the tone even.

‘She never wanted to give me up!’ Adeline said, triumphantly. ‘She was a little like you. Her mother thought it would be best. She got pregnant at sixteen, and had her education, her life to think of.’

‘Ah, so she was forced into the adoption?’

‘No, not quite. I found out something else too,’ Adeline said, barely able to form coherent sentences. ‘Monique, Sophia was adopted too. And she had a wonderful childhood – like mine, I suppose. One of the reasons she agreed with her mother that having me adopted would be best was because her mum had always said how much happiness she’d brought to her parents’ lives when they’d adoptedher, and how she could pass a wonderful gift to a family. And her mum said, too, that I would be better off being raised by a couple who were ready for the responsibility than by a sixteen-year-old who might have regrets down the line and was in no place to raise me properly.’

Monique’s eyes were glistening a little. ‘And was she right?’

‘Yes. Yes, she was.’ Adeline replied. ‘I mean, I felt a connection to her instantly. Something I’ve rarely felt before. But I had a wonderful mum and dad. A great childhood. I can’t say I’d necessarily change things now. Obviously, I wish I’d known the truth about myself growing up, but I would have wanted to stay with my parents, I think.’ She felt something lurch inside her at the thought of Mum and Dad; she wished she’d had a chance to talk to them about all this. They were out of her life now, and there was no way to reach them, but even though she knew it was irrational, she couldn’t help feeling guilty at seeing Sophia.

Monique was quiet for a moment. ‘That is good. And she said her childhood was good too? Even though she was adopted?’

Adeline nodded.

‘Has she ever tried to find her mother, did she say?’

‘She tried a few times over the years. But there was no information available. Then a couple of years ago a cousin of hers who’s really into family trees suggested she try the DNA site. She thought she might find me or her mother, or at least some relative. All she knew was that I was in England; that my birth father came from there. But she wasn’t in touch with him any more and didn’t know where else to start with me. Then suddenly she got a notification, then my email, and it all joined up!’

Monique smiled. ‘That’s wonderful. That she found you, and that she forgives her mother too.’

‘Yes,’ said Adeline. ‘But then she’s so nice. She’s kind. She works as a teacher in a high school, like Michel. And she’s got children too. Much younger than me. One in his teens, another in his early twenties. But I’m her only daughter – and I think it made her more desperate to find me somehow.’

‘So you have this enormous family now!’ Monique said, her jollity sounding a little false.

‘Yes. Well, one day at a time, but yes, I’ve suddenly got all these people. People I might get to know and who might become, well, really important. And did I tell you I also have a niece? About Lili’s age?’ She shook her head, unable to contain her excitement at how much her life had changed in a single morning.

‘And she is coming here again later?’

‘Yes. I hope that’s OK. She’s actually still here. Well, nearby. I just wanted to come and see if you guys were OK. And talk to Lili. Sophia, my… my mum has gone for a walk to give me time to talk to Lili.’ Adeline could sense that she was babbling, but didn’t feel able to stop.

‘Mon dieu,’ said Monique softly, almost to herself. ‘She is still here.’

‘And you’ll join us?’

‘Oh!’ Monique seemed shocked at being asked. ‘Non. It is not my place. This is your special time.’

‘Honestly, she’d love to meet you. I’ve told her about my job, about you. About what brought me to France.’

Monique shook her head, just once. ‘Non. Perhaps another time. Perhaps when I have had time to… it is hard to explain.’

‘OK,’ Adeline said, knowing when she was beaten and – if she was honest – too excited about it all to stay in one emotional state too long. ‘So! This afternoon then!’ She hugged Monique. ‘Thanks for not minding!’ she said, and felt Monique’s arms squeeze her almost too tightly.

It was easier than Adeline had thought it would be trying to explain to her five-year-old that she was going to meet her grandmother. Lili had only known one grandmother in her life and didn’t know much about biology, but was quite happy to accept who Sophia was. ‘So I have two grandmothers?’ she asked.

Technically, she had another blood grandmother too, and possibly a grandpa, on her father’s side. Colin’s parents. One day, perhaps, they’d find that other woman – a woman who had a granddaughter and perhaps wasn’t even aware of her. But for today, it was simply important to help Lili understand Sophia’s place in her complicated family tree.

‘Yes,’ Adeline said, feeling a little guilty for the half-truth. ‘Yes. She’s another grandmother.’

This, it seemed, was enough for Lili, who bounced with excitement on the bed.

Eventually she was coaxed down; they ordered a room service snack for all of them, changed Lili’s clothes, brushed her hair and wiped her sticky face and hands.

The time passed in a flash and soon Adeline was grippingLili’s hand, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness – it had been wonderful meeting Sophia, but already she was starting to lose that feeling of ease she’d developed in this new mother’s presence.

---