Page 54 of Love In Provence
‘There’s people here who’d come to rely on Henri’s for their evening meal. It’s hard for them, especially now this place isn’t what it was. They don’t know where to go.’
‘I’m sorry,’ I say again. It wasn’t just me who was relying on the bistro.
‘I wish I could help. I feel useless here,’ he says.
‘Actually, Samuel, I have the lavender harvest going on. If you or any of the other regulars wanted to help out … I can’t pay, but I can guarantee a home-cooked meal at the end of the day. Not made by me, but the other pickers staying. Everyone is pitching in and it’s wonderful.’
He looks at me.
‘Don’t decide now. But if you want to, join us at Le Petit Mas.’
He nods, and I have no idea if that means he will or he won’t. ‘Merci,’ he says.
I leave him to his thoughts.
We walk on towards thebrocante– I pause at the alleyway to the bistro. It’s almost as if your husband has a new younger lover and has moved her into your life. She’s changed everything and it hurts. I think back to when Ollie left me for his lover and went back toour old life, where I used to belong. But the happier I became here, the less I worried about what I’d lost when he’d gone. I have to recreate here what we had at Henri’s to make Zacharie realize we need Henri’s at the heart of the town.
I turn to the big cream gates, rusting in parts. JB is there to meet us with a big grin, his arms folded across his chest.
‘So, Stephanie told you the idea?’
‘She did!’ he says, unusually animated.
‘What do you think?’
‘If it’s okay with Fabien, then it’s fine by me! Sounds like a great idea,’ he says, beckoning us all into thebrocante’s courtyard.
‘It’s perfect,’ says Maria, who has been quiet since Marco refused to join us on our reconnaissance mission to thebrocanteand was suggesting they move on. Now, though, it’s a joy to see her face lit up as she glances around the courtyard and the warehouse, piled high with second-hand treasures. It’s hard to see what anything is, unless you know what you’re looking for. Fabien found all the essentials I needed for Le Petit Mas when I first discovered this place. He collected them together, made me coffee and gave me an excellent price. Even delivered them as I was still contemplating my next move and showing some second-home owners around the property with Carine. It was there and then I made the decision to stay, to make Le Petit Mas myhome. And I don’t intend to leave. I’m not going to let Zacharie push me out by taking away my business. Thebrocanteis helping to save me all over again and I intend to do it justice.
‘Okay, let’s get started, shall we?’ I say, studying the crammed warehouse and trying to work out where everything should go.
‘Look at that lovely candlestick,’ says Keith, who is straight into the dark recesses of the space. ‘And this rug! We could go vintage, mix and match plates. Oooh, my auntie used to have doilies like these.’
I see Graham smile. ‘He’s happiest creating a home,’ he says quietly. ‘Hang on, my love, let me help,’ he says, as Keith inspects the piles of tables and chairs, clearly planning to unpack them.
‘I’m thinking we could go for a front-room feeling. Like when you visit family. Rugs, lamps, teacups … and look at all these glasses. They’ll polish up beautifully,’ Keith calls.
‘And some bunting,’ says Jen. ‘Bunting makes everything better,’ she cries, as she joins in the scavenger hunt. JB is helping to reach higher-up tables and chairs, and Keith has moved on to tennis racquets to create the feel of an afternoon turned evening by the river. He finds boules sets and a box of board games.
‘What should I do?’ asks Ed.
‘Work out where to serve the food from? Create a serving area? There’s a small kitchenette in the office,’I say. ‘Or we could barbecue in the open air. We can bring the one from Le Petit Mas. See what would be best for you.’
He nods. ‘Maria? Coming?’
I swear I see a touch of pink in her cheeks.
And there in the courtyard, as we rummage through boxes of cutlery, unwrap glasses from newspaper, and Jen irons napkins among the tables and chairs that Keith and Graham are setting out, our first supper party starts to come together. And I need it to happen quickly if I’m to get money in to cover our costs.
As the sun starts to set, thebrocantehas become a festive outdoor dining room, comfortable and cosy. Carine turns up to check on progress. ‘This looks great!’
Keith places a mirror against the stone wall, which adds warmth, like a fireplace, as the sun bounces off it, giving a focal point to that end of the courtyard. It stands next to the chestnut tree, which now has bunting hanging from it.
‘I have something for you,’ Carine says. ‘Come with me.’ She walks towards her car, parked by the gates, and opens the boot. ‘I found it in the skip at the bistro as they were clearing out the upstairs to make more seating there. I didn’t know if you’d want it or not. As you know, I’m not one for clutter.’
She reaches into her car and from the back seat pulls out the sign that once swung from outside Henri’s living-room window.
‘Of course I want it!’ I shout. The blood rushes to my head and I don’t know which to hug first, her or the sign.
