Page 53 of Love In Provence

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‘Or barbecue! I love to barbecue,’ says Graham.

‘Henri loved a barbecue,’ says Rhi.

‘It’s perfect,’ I say slowly. My heart lifts and soars.

‘We all cook, different dishes from different backgrounds, a mixed bag. Everyone is welcome,’ says Maria.

‘Yes!’

‘Here’s to Henri’s supper club! Now to get the word out!’ says Jen.

While Maria and Ed return to talking menus and Keith talks styling and bunting with Jen, I can see a hole in our plan. ‘Just one thing. How are we going to do all this without a vehicle?’

‘You could use my work van,’ Stephanie suggests. ‘But it is going in for a service at the end of the week and I’ll need it again on Saturday.’

‘You can use the camper!’ Jen says. ‘It won’t take me long to put in the new clutch.’

‘We couldn’t do that!’ I say.

‘It’s fine!’ She waves a hand.

‘I don’t want you to feel pushed out!’

‘I’ve told you I hate living in this van! Can’t wait to get out of it.’

‘Well,’ I smile, ‘there’s a spare room in the house.’

‘Perfect! I’ll take it!’

‘So, we’re on. Friday-night supper club!’ Maria can hardly contain her excitement.

‘Zacharie won’t like it,’ says Rhi.

‘All the more reason to do it!’ I raise my glass.

21

Carine squeals when I tell her the plan on the phone the next morning.

‘We’re on our way to thebrocantenow, to sort things out.’

‘And Fabien?’

I chew my lip. ‘We didn’t have time to talk last night. He was at a noisy festival but I texted and asked if I could use thebrocante. He said, “Anything.” I hope he doesn’t mind. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.’

‘Fabien will think this is a fabulous idea. You can send him photographs when everything is set up.’

We all walk down towards the town, past the riverside clearing, all except Marco. Samuel is there on his own.

‘Bonjour, Samuel.’

‘Bonjour!How are you?’

‘Good,’ I reply. ‘How are things here?’ So much rubbish on the ground, the debris of a lively night.

His mouth pulls downwards. ‘Not so good.’

‘I’m sorry,’ I say.

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