Page 36 of Love In Provence
‘He wants nothing to do with any of us.’ I turn to see red-eyed Rhi behind us.
‘Come and join us,’ I say, budging up on the bench. And Graham stands and pours her wine from the jug, already knowing her well enough to give her rosé.
‘And he wanted the bistro valued,’ says Carine, giving her usual Gallic shrug.
‘But that’s the thing, we don’t know why,’ I say. Then I pause, admiring the full table. ‘Thank you, guys, for this. It’s fantastic.’ I want to make sure they know how much it means to me to be sitting with a table of strangers who are now so much more than that. ‘Tell us what’s on the table.’
We begin to serve the food, everyone explaining what they’ve made and why.
‘I’ve made salads, carrot, then chickpea and, last, tomato. The chickpea one is my favourite,’ says Maria, ‘to go with the samosas.’
‘Bet it’s got spice in it!’ says Marco, and laughs. She doesn’t, I notice.
She shrugs. ‘It’s just one of my favourite go-to recipes. Reminds me of—’
‘Now, come on, they don’t need to hear about your family and your grandmother again,’ Marco says. I want to say, I do. I want to hear whatever you were going to say. ‘This is why we’ve come away. Just to beon our own, without any reminders of home,’ he says, and the mood darkens a little.
‘Ed?’ Jen says kindly.
‘I’ve made cauliflower risotto.’
‘Wow! It looks amazing.’
‘I could have done some things differently, given the time again.’
‘No one’s judging here!’ Jen laughs.
‘I’ve poured the wine. I’m afraid I don’t cook. But I’m really good at clearing up!’ says Graham.
‘And I’ve made nachos and cupcakes,’ says Keith.
‘Keith’s always baking,’ says Graham.
‘Reminds me of when our son was at home.’
‘And where is he now?’ asks the mayor.
‘University,’ says Graham.
‘He doesn’t come home much, these days.’ I hear the dip in Keith’s mood.
Graham jumps in. ‘He’s having the time of his life. Which is why we decided to have this adventure. Our gap year!’
But Keith doesn’t look like he’s enjoying it. I see him wipe what I think may be a tear.
‘But he’ll be home soon,’ says Graham, ‘after this year, so we have to make the most of it.’
Carine fills a small plate for Clémentine with salad and the dish Ed has made. Although she didn’t think she would be, she’s a natural mother, always thinking of Clémentine and putting her first.
I pick up one of Keith’s crisp nachos and bite … Interesting, paprika Pringles, I think, and something else … Maybe peanut.
I contemplate the group around the table. Jen looks like the sort of person who leads from behind. Maria seems tired, confused, and certainly needs to tell her boyfriend, Marco, a thing or two. I get the impression she’s the brains behind their trip and he’s just along for the ride.
Graham and Keith seem an odd couple. Graham seems to be driving this gap year.
And Ed. Clearly he’s unsure where life will take him next.
A small group, none of us having quite what we want at the moment, but with this meal, the company, we all know exactly what we need.
