Page 7 of The Village Cafe in the Loire

‘Yeah.’

‘Probably force me to move back home, sleep in my childhood bedroom and eat hearty soups until she felt I was back to full health. Which, knowing Mum, would take about two years.’

‘That actually sounds quite nice.’

‘That’s because you’ve never tasted one of my mum’s soups!’

‘Anyway, I think I need to take my mind off it all,’ Becky said. ‘Distract me. What were you going to tell me earlier?’

‘It’s just a work?—’

‘That reminds me! I have to write an email to work – promised Mum. Doubt it’ll do any good but worth a shot. Do you want to watch the film after?’

Amber nodded. ‘OK. Well, good luck.’

‘Thanks. Think I’m going to need it.’

3

In the end, after a restless and wakeful night, Becky awoke with a solution.

It was a quarter to six, but Amber was going to be getting up for work in fifteen minutes anyway, and Becky was sure she wouldn’t mind being woken. She walked into her friend’s room and gave her a nudge.

Amber snorted, turned over, her eyes opening slightly and then more widely in alarm. Finally awake, she sat up with a little cry. ‘Becky, what the hell?’

‘I’ve had a brilliant idea,’ Becky said, sitting on the edge of the bed and grinning.

Amber groaned. ‘And this brilliant idea couldn’t have held off for, say, another twenty minutes?’

‘It really couldn’t. Sorry,’ Becky grimaced.

‘You know it’s not Christmas morning, don’t you? And you’re not seven?’

‘I am aware.’ Becky smiled at her friend and, after a moment, the smile was returned.

‘Go on then, you idiot, what did you realise? Have you found that elusive cure for all diseases? Discovered a way to save the planet?’

‘Better. I know what I’m going to do with my month.’ Becky’s eyelid twitched and she held it in place for a second. Luckily it settled down.

‘You do?’ Amber’s eyes widened; clearly she was genuinely interested now.

‘Yeah. I’m going to France!’

‘What, like on a retreat or something?’

‘No! Retreats are for people who actuallyhaveburnout, not those who are misdiagnosed by a vindictive doctor. I’m going to Vaudrelle.’

‘To the café?’

‘To the café. And I’m going to get that tenant to leave, if it’s the last thing I do!’

‘Hang on. Hasn’t he got the legal right to be there? What are you going to do? Smoke him out? Attack him with a laptop?’

Becky laughed. ‘No. Believe it or not, I’m going to go reason with him. Get difficult if I have to. Get him out so the place can finally sell. And you know what that means?’

‘You’ll have thousands in the bank? Buy this dream property you keep going on about?’

‘No! It means I won’t have any more stress! Think about it, Amber. I’ve had this job for years. It’s only since Maud left me the café that I’ve felt… twitchy.’

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