Page 36 of You Had Me at Chateau
‘Yes, please,’ Caleb tells the cashier, flashing a grin. ‘Or should I say “oui”?’
The cashier – who I’ve just noticed from his name badge is called Pascal – laughs. ‘Don’t worry, sir, all our staff speak perfect English,’ Pascal reassures him. ‘Many of our guests are from the UK and the USA.’
‘Good to know,’ Caleb replies, chuckling. ‘My French isn’t great. I was one of the kids in my school who chose to study German, instead of French.’
‘Oh,sprichst du Deutsch?’ Pascal replies.
‘I studied it, but I don’t remember a word of it,’ Caleb admits with a laugh.
‘That’s quite all right,’ Pascal says with a smile. ‘One moment, please.’
Pascal calls over another employee and says something to him in French.
I wonder if Caleb is well known here, in France, or if the staff have been told to expect him, because they know he’s a big deal in the UK. I guess a place like this could really benefit from his endorsement, especially if they have lots of guests from the UK.
‘Have you checked in yet?’ Pascal asks Caleb.
‘Nah, not yet, my bags are over there, in the lobby,’ he replies. ‘I thought I’d grab the essentials I forgot first.’
‘I’ll have someone come to check you in, and show you to your room,’ Pascal insists.
‘I’m in a chalet, I think it’s called Mon Chou?’ Caleb replies.
Pascal nods knowingly.
‘Ah, the honeymoon suite,’ he replies. ‘Here for a romantic getaway?’
‘Something like that,’ Caleb replies with a dorky chuckle.
The other employee returns with the toothpaste, only for Pascal to give him more instructions, again in French, before turning back to Caleb.
‘There’s no charge for these essentials,’ Pascal insists, handing the bag to Caleb.
Caleb just smiles sweetly.
‘Are you sure?’ he checks.
‘Absolutely,’ Pascal replies, before another thought seems to strike him. ‘Ah, one more thing…’
The other employee reappears, this time with two small hampers.
‘Your welcome baskets, for a romantic stay,’ Pascal explains, handing them over to Caleb. ‘On the house.’
‘Oh, thanks,’ Caleb says, looking genuinely pleased. ‘They look great.’
‘Just wait by your baggage, and we’ll send someone right over,’ Pascal instructs him.
Caleb looks at me and nods in the direction of his bags, indicating for me to follow him, so I do. And now it’s just the two of us again. Just me, him, and enough suitcases for a family of five. Wow, he does not pack light.
Caleb takes out one of the toothbrushes and shoves it in his pocket before handing the paper bag to me.
‘Here you go,’ he says. ‘You can have the toothpaste. And it looks like there is a his and hers basket, so you can take the hers, if you like.’
I can’t help but laugh.
‘Do people always just throw free stuff at you?’ I ask curiously.
‘Sometimes they just hand it to me instead,’ Caleb jokes, before turning serious. ‘Look, I think we might have got our wires crossed, and maybe me being here is a surprise. Why don’t you come and see me later when you’ve had time to think about it? I’m here, you’re here, I’ve got cases full of crap, and a big chunk of change that could be headed your way…’
