Page 61 of The Village Cafe in the Loire

His face darkened. ‘Oui. You would think when I told her that I have this amazing publishing deal she would finally be happy for me.’

‘And she wasn’t?’

He shook his head. ‘Well, perhaps a little. Perhaps if you had heard her, you would think she was ecstatic. She makes the right noises. But I can feel the heart of it. She is still disappointed that I don’t work in a bank.’

‘But she must be pleased you’ll be living closer soon?’ she prompted.

‘Oui. I think so.’ So he really, really was going.

‘Well. Good,’ she said.

‘Perhaps after the nurse has called you could serve for a little? I can make invitations for the party. Then this afternoon we will close – it is often quiet in early afternoon – and go to buy things. It is very exciting!’

‘Sure.’

Before she could say anything else, her phone rang loudly, making her jump. Fishing it out of her pocket, she saw it was Amber’s number rather than her mother’s. At last. Feeling a surge of happiness, she answered immediately. ‘Amber?’ she said. ‘Oh my God, I’m so glad you called. I…’

But the voice on the other end wasn’t Amber.

As Pascal watched her, he saw her face fall, then turn pale. And in the end, her arm simply fell to her side, the phone still clutched in her hand.

‘What is it?’ he said. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘It’s Amber,’ she said, before collapsing into tears.

23

Pascal was at her side instantly.

‘Amber’s in hospital!’ Becky said. ‘Someone heard her phone and saw all my missed calls and…’

‘Merde!’ Pascal exclaimed loudly.

Becky turned away from him, scrolling through her contacts until she found an old landline number. Hopefully Amber’s mother would still have the same one she’d had back in the day. Sure enough, it rang twice before it was picked up by a rather hesitant voice saying, ‘Hello?’

‘Mrs… I mean, Hannah, it’s Becky.’

‘Oh. Becky.’ Hannah’s voice was rather flat. ‘I take it you’ve heard about Amber.’

‘Yes. Oh my God. How is she?’

‘Well, she’s not in any danger. So you needn’t worry.’

‘What? Of course I’m worried. She had a heart attack?’

‘No. Not a heart attack exactly. Look, Becky, I understand you’re busy. Perhaps it would be better to leave this to Amber’s close friends and family.’ The remark was pointed.

Becky had gone to Amber’s house regularly when growing up, had always liked her mother. She’d make them sandwichesor cups of tea or ask about their homework. Even now, she probably saw her once or twice a year when she came to London to visit her daughter. But in all the times she’d seen her, in all circumstances, she’d never been anything but polite and friendly.

‘Look, Hannah,’ she said. It felt odd to use her first name, even now. ‘I understand that this must be a very stressful time. But you know that I’m Amber’s close friend. Her closest. Can you please just tell me what’s happening? How did she… What happened? When?’ Her voice cracked on the last word.

There was a silence, then, and when Hannah spoke, her voice trembled. ‘Well, you know all about Rufus at work, I suppose?’

‘Rufus? Hannah’s manager?’

‘Yes. Nasty business.’

‘What business?’

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