Page 6 of A French Inheritance

With a vague memory that the path to and around the lake had often been muddy in the past, Briony pulled on a pair of her old wellingtons that she’d left at the cottage years ago before setting off on her walk.

The gate in the hedge at the bottom of the garden was stiff from non-use, but after the second or third try, Briony managed to push it open.

She made sure the gate closed firmly behind her, hoping it would be easier to open on her way back.

Walking carefully along the track that stretched the length of the field, thirty-year-old memories of running along here with the grandchildren of the old couple in the big house surfaced in her mind.

She didn’t remember the vineyard that surrounded the field on three sides being so big and well tended, though.

Approaching the lake, she could see where Adam had cleared saplings and shrubs from around the edge of the water and also taken down some trees to open up the surrounding area.

There was a small rowing boat tied to a jetty sticking out into the lake that Briony didn’t remember ever being there.

Imagine the fun she could have had as a child, learning to row and rowing the boat out to the middle of the lake and staying there, drifting in the silence.

If she’d ever learnt to row she’d do that right now, but sadly she’d never learnt.

She did remember swimming in the lake one hot summer, though.

The water would definitely be too cold for that on this visit.

Besides, she hadn’t brought a swimming costume.

Adam, the new owner, had clearly thought about the wildlife – the trees had been cut up and left in a couple of piles, providing shelter for hedgehogs and other creatures.

Bird boxes had been fixed to a few of the beech and oak trees and Briony smiled as she saw a blue tit flying back and forth with nest-building material.

The whole area was a mini nature reserve.

A bench had been placed near a weeping willow tree and Briony happily sat down and surveyed the scene before her. Her mum was going to adore this when she saw it.

Jeannie had been really happy on the flight over, driving the car here super excited, but after that short conversation about keeping the cottage for holidays or even living in permanently, she’d been uptight, less joyful.

Now they were here, was she worried about emptying the cottage of Granny Giselle’s things?

There had clearly been so much she’d been unable to take to England with her.

It wasn’t going to be easy, Briony knew that, these things never were.

But doing it together would hopefully make it less painful for her mum.

Perhaps she’d try to get her to talk about it before they started. Get her to open up a bit.

Briony jumped with shock as a large silvery grey dog suddenly appeared from nowhere and headbutted her legs.

‘Luna?’ she gasped, stroking the dog’s head. ‘Where have you sprung from?’ Briony looked up just as the man reached the bench.

‘I’m so sorry. Glad you were sitting down, she might have had you over otherwise. She doesn’t normally rush at strangers like that. Luna, come here.’

The dog reluctantly left Briony and stood at the man’s side, her eyes watching Briony’s every move.

‘Maybe she recognised me? You must be Adam,’ Briony said, standing up and holding out her hand. ‘It’s lovely to meet you. I’m Briony, Giselle’s granddaughter. Thank you for keeping an eye on the cottage and big thanks for looking after Luna. She’s clearly very happy with you.’ Briony smiled.

‘I’m Elliot, Adam’s brother,’ Elliot said, shaking her hand and letting it go quickly.

‘Oh, sorry, my mistake. I knew Adam had taken Luna in and assumed you were he as I have yet to meet him…’ Her voice trailed away. ‘But Luna obviously likes you too.’

‘She’s my dog now, not Adam’s,’ Elliot said slowly and deliberately. ‘For some reason, when I arrived she became my shadow. We’re inseparable these days,’ he added with a self-conscious half shrug. ‘She comes everywhere with me.’

‘A case of love me, love my dog?’ Briony joked, her smile fading as she saw the look on Elliot’s face.

‘That’s good. Um, I hope Adam won’t mind me being here – technically, I suppose I’m trespassing.

It’s a lovely spot he’s created. Totally different to when I played here thirty years ago.

The new jetty is a lovely addition.’ Embarrassed, she could feel herself jabbering away in an effort to change the subject.

‘I’m pretty certain Adam will expect you and your mother to enjoy the lake whilst you are here,’ Elliot said. ‘I’d better get back. Nice to meet you, Briony. We’ll probably bump into each other again whilst you’re here – I’ll make sure Luna behaves next time.’

Briony watched as Elliot turned and strolled away, Luna trotting at his side.

Once they were out of sight, she began to walk back the way she’d come.

The dog clearly adored him and Elliot had definitely been making sure that she realised he was now the owner of Luna.

Was he worried that she or her mother would want to have the dog after all this time?

He’d certainly taken off quickly once he’d got his message over.

Didn’t hang around to make small talk with her.

Maybe her ‘love me, love my dog’ comment had upset him?

Next time she saw him, she would attempt to reassure him that they wouldn’t dream of trying to claim Luna as theirs.

Their lives in England were incompatible with having a dog.

Hopefully putting that into words would be enough to banish any lasting doubts he might be harbouring and even bring a smile to his face.

Back at the cottage, she found Jeannie on the terrace reading a paperback, a glass of rosé on the table in front of her. ‘Sorry, I couldn’t resist opening the bottle. It’s lovely, cold and delicious. How was your walk?’

‘I’ll just get a glass of rosé and tell you,’ Briony said. ‘Shall I organise some food as well?’

‘Pour your wine and come and sit down. We’ll get supper together in a bit. It’s still early.’

‘ Santé ,’ Briony said, returning with a glass of rosé a few moments later. ‘It’s lovely being back here but so strange without Granny here. It’s hard.’

‘Yes, it is hard. But don’t you feel that her very essence, her spirit if you will, still lingers here?

She loved this cottage so much. I keep expecting to see her in the kitchen every time I walk in,’ Jeannie said quietly.

‘I have so many memories of her teaching me how to prepare and cook meals like a true French wife.’

‘She was a brilliant hostess too. Loved having friends come for lunch – and stay for supper.’ Briony smiled.

‘You must walk down to the lake soon. It’s been turned into a beautiful oasis.

There’s a rowing boat tied to a small jetty too – wish I could row.

There’s a bench there in a perfect position to sit and watch the birds.

The next time I walk down, I must remember to take my phone and take some photos. ’

‘Have you brought your Nikon as well?’ Jeannie asked.

Briony shook her head. ‘I’ve got out of the habit of using the camera.

My iPhone takes such good pictures.’ Briony took a drink of her wine.

‘Guess who came bounding up to me down there? Luna. I think she actually remembered me, even though she hasn’t seen me for a few years. She’s grown into a lovely dog.’

‘You’ve met Adam then?’

‘No. His brother Elliot was walking her. He made it quite clear that Luna is his dog now; apparently they are inseparable.’ She glanced at her mother.

‘Did you meet him when you came to see Granny before she moved over to be with us? He seemed nice enough but a bit…’ she hesitated. ‘Not unfriendly but reserved.’

Jeannie shook her head. ‘Adam did mention a brother on one occasion, but our visits never coincided. Maybe we’ll see him tomorrow morning when we go up for coffee.’

Later, as the two of them ate their ham and cheese salad supper before having an early night, Briony found her thoughts returning to Elliot.

There had been a certain uneasy air about him when they were talking.

Her unexpected presence down by the lake had made him uncomfortable for some reason.

Was he shy? Or was it just Luna’s reaction to her that had unsettled him?

Either way, Briony hoped that the next time they met it wouldn’t feel so awkward.