Page 32 of You Had Me at Chateau
‘What about you?’ I ask, shifting the focus back to him.
‘No, nothing for me,’ he replies. Henri’s smile returns, bright and charming. ‘But, still, if I can help you with your book, you know where to find me – just knock.’
He says all of this like he’s joking but, bloody hell, he’s inspired me enough to write another series.
‘I do,’ I say, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.
Henri gives me one last lingering look before he nods.
‘Okay, I’ll let you get ready,’ he tells me. ‘It was nice to meet you, Amber.’
‘It was nice to meet you too,’ I echo, my heart racing as he finally leaves the bathroom.
As I stand there, topless, trying to process what just happened, I can’t help but smile.
I plonk myself down on the toilet seat – just for the seat. Henri was the last thing I was expecting to find behind this door, but Gina was right. He is kind of delicious.
Maybe this retreat won’t be so bad after all.
15
It was worth coming on this trip for the food alone, it turns out.
I’m in the dining room – which weirdly reminds me of the one fromSaltburn, thanks to its grandeur and the fact I watched the movie recently, and otherwise have basically no points of reference for such fancy dining spaces – with Mandy, Bette, and Gina. We’re tucking into a delicious French dish – Coq au Vin – prepared for us by the château chef, served to us by the château waitstaff. Yes, I feel fancy as hell right now.
God, it’s good. The tender chicken, slow-cooked in red wine with mushrooms, onions, and bacon, only seems to get better with each bite. I’m getting to the point where I’m starting to feel full, but it seems like a shame to waste a bite of it – which is probably why I’m wiping my plate clean with the freshly baked bread, smothered in herb butter.
‘Oh, and I’ve really got into pottery,’ Mandy continues – she’s currently listing all of the activities she fills her days with, when she’s between books. ‘There’s something so therapeutic about moulding clay with your hands. I’ve made a few decent vases but that’s not why I do it – crafts are good for the soul.’
Bette nods enthusiastically.
‘I love knitting,’ she adds. ‘There’s nothing like curling up with your needles and a whisky on a chilly evening.’
I stifle a smile, because that sounds funnier than Bette intended, I’m sure.
‘I’ve made scarves, sweaters, and such, but I’m obsessed with knitting dog jumpers at the moment,’ she continues, confirming that it’s definitely knitting needles she’s on about.
‘I’m with you both,’ Gina says, finally retiring her cutlery. ‘I dabble in a bit of everything – painting, cross-stitching, even some jewellery making. It’s nice to take a break from writing and just create something for the love of creating.’
‘The earrings you gave me are just fabulous,’ Mandy tells her. ‘You should sell your jewellery.’
‘I’m happy to give them as gifts,’ Gina insists. ‘But I suppose if the writing thing doesn’t pan out…’
She laughs, as though the idea is ludicrous. I wish I had that confidence in my work.
‘Never going to happen,’ Mandy reassures her. ‘Which is why I treasure my earrings.’
‘How lovely – do you have them with you?’ Bette asks.
Mandy’s face falls.
‘No, not with me,’ Mandy replies. ‘I keep them safely in my jewellery box.’
I get such a phoney, disingenuous vibe from Mandy. It’s almost like she will kiss your arse, if it serves her, but otherwise she doesn’t have time for you. She’s the kind of person who would pretend to love a gift if she wanted to keep you on side, but tell you that it sucked if she wasn’t bothered.
Gina smiles and bats her hand to let Mandy know she isn’t offended.
‘Hobbies are so important,’ she concludes. ‘I’m sure I’ll be obsessing over something else next week.’
