Page 68 of The Village Cafe in the Loire

She took a deep breath, sat on the bed and rang her mother, putting the phone on speaker and leaning back against her feather pillows, her body aching from the stress of rushing and flying and running down hospital corridors in a state.

‘Rebecca!’ her mother said immediately, answering within two rings.

‘Hi, Mum.’

‘So, how’s your friend? How’s Amber?’

‘Oh. She’s OK, I think. They’re running a few tests. They think that it was stress-induced.’

Her mother let out a breath. ‘Well, thank heavens. Such a lovely girl.’

‘Yes. Yes, she is.’

‘And you?’

‘Sorry?’

‘Do you have… plans?’

Her mother was nothing if not transparent, but for once she had an answer that she knew would please her. ‘Yes. I’m going into the office tomorrow. Meeting HR. Start the wheels turning.’

‘For…?’

‘For going back to work, of course.’

Her mother’s sigh exploded breathily over the speaker. ‘Well, butter my biscuits! Darling, I am so very proud of you.’

The ‘p’ word was more surprising than the odd expression of relief that had preceded it. ‘You are?’

There was a pause.

‘As long as you’re definitely well enough.’

This was fresh ground. ‘What makes you say that?’ Becky asked.

‘Well, this whole thing with Amber. I know her circumstances are different, but I suppose it did make me realise how dangerous stress can be.’ Her mother paused, took a deep breath. ‘I want what’s best for you. But not at any price. You know that, don’t you?’

‘Of course.’

‘Daddy always said I pushed you too hard. But it’s my way. I push myself.’ There was a slight wobble of vulnerability in Mum’s voice.

‘I know, Mum. And it’s fine. Honestly. I’m well. I’m ready to go back.’

There was a deep sigh, then her mother seemed to step right back into her usual role. ‘Well, that’s wonderful news. I must admit I was a little worried that Maud’s ridiculous philosophy might have started to rub off on you.’

‘Mum! Maud’s lovely, she…’

‘Fiddlesticks! That woman gave up a career at Archway. Top law firm in the city at that time. Amazing for her generation. Almost unheard of. And then she went on holiday and never came back! It was outrageous! Threw it all away.’

Becky pictured the café, the quiet but friendly town. Maud’s photography career that had taken her around the world. ‘I don’t think she sees it that way.’

‘Well, of course not. She’s going to double down now.’

‘It’s OK, you know, Mum. It’s OK that Maud chose a different life to you, to us. She hasn’t hurt anyone.’

A silence. ‘Well, you’re wrong on that count.’

‘What do you mean?’

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