Page 56 of Sisters Making Mischief
‘I didn’t know Simon had a twin,’ Bill said, looking worried.
‘But he could have if you wrote one,’ I said.
‘Hmm.’
Bill disappeared into hisgîteand slammed the front door behind him.
‘He’s either furiously angry or inspired,’ Isabel said. ‘Come on, we have two customers at the barn. Let’s go and encourage them.’
There was a middle-aged couple in there, poking about and admiring the watering cans. They also seemed to like the vintage farm implements and the milk bottles, but as the woman said, they didn’t have room for much in their car. In the end they bought two tea towels with pictures of the iconic stripey beach tents of Dinard on them.
‘Well, it’s a start,’ Isabel said, ‘I always think it’s lucky to have a sale on the first day we open.’
‘Even luckier to have two,’ I said as another car pulled up outside.
Two women got out and went towards the barn with a determined tread. One turned as she got to the door.
‘Have you got any Beanie Babies? We are looking for a Princess Diana. Or Star Wars figurines?’
‘No, I’m afraid not. But we do have some lovely vintage?—’
They turned smartly around and got back into their car and were gone in no time.
‘—pillow cases,’ Isabel called after them. ‘Oh well, can’t win them all. You should go into the bookshop and help Felix out tomorrow; it would give you a change of scenery and I know he can do with the help. And Saturday is always the busiest day of the week, particularly now the holiday season has started. I could give you a lift. Or I suppose you could go in with Felix?’
‘Do you think I would be any use?’ I asked.
‘Of course you would. If you can sell tea towels, you can sell books.’
‘I don’t think it’s quite the same thing,’ I said, ‘particularly as most of the things will be in French.’
‘But you could persuade him to stock those notebooks, I think that’s a great idea.’
I suddenly felt rather unsure about the prospect. What would I know about the notebook-buying habits of the French?
‘Oh, I don’t know, Isabel, old dog, new tricks? I might say the wrong thing and then Felix might lose a lot of money. I’d hate to be responsible for that.’
Isabel looked exasperated. ‘Look, I was reading about something called Kanreki the other day. It’s a thing the Japanese do, a big celebration when people turn sixty. You wear red and get a party and presents, which sounds great to me. I’m annoyed I missed out on that. It’s all about rebirth and new beginnings. And passing on the ghastly, adulting responsibilities to the nextgeneration. Which if you think about it is what you and I have both done with our own children, isn’t it? Although Pierre and Sylvie do live in a flat above Sylvie’s parents’ garage, so perhaps that doesn’t count. Sylveste and Margot are living in a flat in town and are buying their first house soon, so that’s definitely first-rate adulting.’
‘I suppose so, although I’m still not convinced I did the right thing where Sara was concerned. But she does sound quite cheerful and positive in her emails.’
‘Well there you go. But it means we’ve both missed out on a party. But when you get to seventy there’s also a celebration called Koki when you’re supposed to wear purple. And eighty is called Sanju. And you wear gold. So, the Japanese don’t think that people our age are past it, do they? And nor should we.’
‘I don’t know. Sometimes I feel I am, and other times I’m not so sure. My hearing isn’t as good as it used to be. I can’t stay up as late as I used to, and I don’t sleep as well either. I think I need stronger reading glasses too.’
Isabel put an arm around my shoulders.
‘I like to think that although my eyesight might not be as good as I’m getting older, I can certainly see through people much better.’
I shook my head. ‘Getting old is a pig of a thing.’
‘Yes, but the alternative is worse. I used to be able to do handstands against the garage wall when I was younger, now I’ve been known to fall over putting my pants on.’
We both laughed and she hugged me.
‘Okay, with that image seared into my brain, then I’ll do my best. I’d quite like to drive actually,’ I said, ‘otherwise my battery is going to go flat. I haven’t been out in my own car since I got here.’
‘Always the practical one,’ Isabel said. ‘I’ll tell Felix when he gets back, he’ll be so pleased. And tomorrow is market day in thesquare, which is eternally interesting, and you know where you can park already.’
