Page 45 of A French Inheritance

May began to go by in a whirl for Briony.

As the days lengthened and the sun shone, the temperature started to rise and her life settled into a routine of being Lucy’s Girl Friday two days every week and organising everything she needed to get done for the brocante on the other five days.

Amongst other things, she did remember to find a suitable piece of wood and prepared it for Holly to signwrite the brocante name across it.

One Tuesday morning when she went up to do some g?te admin, she took the wood with her and left it with Holly.

She’d been working in the office for sometime before a quieter-than-normal Lucy joined her.

‘Are you okay?’ Briony asked.

‘The summer season is about to kick off and there is so much to do. Menopausal brain fog seems to have taken me over. And for some reason I’m also missing the girls more than usual.

Easter seems such a long time ago and I’m not sure when they’ll be home again.

I should be used to them living away by now, we’ve been empty nesters for so long, but… ’ Lucy shrugged.

‘Maybe it’s something to do with being in a different country to your children? Rather than just empty nest syndrome?’ Briony said.

Lucy looked at her. ‘You could be right. I hadn’t thought of that. I can’t just pop into town to see them, meet up for a coffee. It all has to be booked, put in the diary.’

‘Would you like me to do more of the admin? Take some of the pressure off you, maybe even give you time to fly over and surprise them?’ Briony asked. ‘Or maybe I could give you a hand in the house on another day?’

‘That’s sweet of you, but no. You’ve got enough on your Girl Friday plate, plus setting up the brocante.

I’ll do some baking; that always cheers me up.

’ Lucy smiled at Briony. ‘How are you? Looking happier than when I first met you, that’s for sure.

I wonder if that’s down to the French air or someone in particular?

My brother-in-law is a changed man too, which I suspect is down to you.

’ She looked at Briony with a questioning look.

Briony felt herself blush. ‘I am much happier than when I first arrived, it has to be said. I confess Elliot has a lot to do with that.’

‘Good. Right, I’ll leave you to the spreadsheets and go bake a cake. Tea and a slice before you leave later, okay?’

* * *

It was another two hours before Briony went down to the kitchen for the promised cup of tea. Adam was there enjoying a mug of tea and a large slice of lemon drizzle cake. He looked up at her with a smile.

‘Has your mum told you that she has made me a very happy man? No? I helped her and Yann unpack the car after their garden-visit spree. Jeannie took the opportunity to tell me I’m losing money by not having the pépinière open at regular times and not having someone there to help customers. Gave me a proper telling-off.’

‘That’s Mum,’ Briony said, waiting to hear what else Jeannie had said.

‘But if I like the idea and want them to, both she and Yann are happy to man the pépinière on the days the brocante is open. It’s so close to the artisan units, they can do the two between them.’ Adam paused. ‘I accepted immediately of course. I couldn’t possibly say no, thank you.’

Briony laughed. ‘She’s a force to be reckoned with is my mum.’

‘She’s cleaned the pépinière out of agapanthus too. Said they needed more attention than they were getting and they were perfect for Owls Nest as well as the brocante’.

‘Agapanthus are one of Mum’s favourite flowers, after roses and daffodils and sunflowers. She can never decide which is her absolute favourite,’ Briony said, laughing.

* * *

When Jeannie learnt that Yann hadn’t been down to the lake for years, she determined he had to see the changes down there.

The perfect opportunity arose when he came for supper one evening.

Briony and Elliot were sorting out more boxes up at the brocante prior to opening day, before having supper together at Elliot’s.

‘Come on, let’s walk Meg down to the lake before we have a glass of wine with supper,’ Jeannie said. ‘You have to see how Adam has improved the area. So many birds now and the trees have space to breathe and grow. The yellow irises on the edge of the water have been so beautiful this spring.’

Walking along the track with Yann holding her hand and Meg running ahead, Jeannie took deep breaths of the summery evening air that was punctuated with the noise of cicadas.

She sent up a silent prayer of thanks to the universe for bringing her back to live in her favourite place in the world and for reuniting her with the love of her life.

Reaching the bench by the lake the two of them sat down.

Yann caught his breath as he looked around.

‘Adam, he makes an already lovely place into a beautiful paradise.’ The pair of them sat contentedly both deep in their own thoughts for several moments before Yann stood up.

‘I would like to walk the jetty.’ And gently he pulled Jeannie to her feet.

Together they walked along the wooden jetty and stood watching as Meg took the opportunity to jump into the water for a swim.

Yann shook his head as he looked out over the lake.

‘Jeromé and me, we spent so many vacances down here as young boys, teenagers, before life took over.’ He sighed.

‘It is a good job we have no knowledge when we are young of what lies before us.’ He turned and took Jeannie in his arms. ‘I cannot deny my life has been good, I adore my daughter Pauline, and Evette and I, we were happy in our own way but my biggest regret has always been you weren’t in my life.

But now you are and life has never looked better. I love you, Jeannie Aubert.’

As he bent his head to kiss her, Jeannie whispered, ‘I love you too. Always have. Always will.’