Page 103 of The Missing Sister

‘Actually, little rich girl, it’s definitely mine,’ Jack said, slapping his euros down equally hard.

Having agreed to go dutch, they walked to theimmobilier, where Ally registered and, given the fact she was feeling uncomfortable about Jack thinking she was a spoilt princess, made a point of looking for properties under two hundred thousand euros.

‘That one’s nice,’ said Jack, peering over her shoulder at the listings.

‘It’s an old wreck and the last thing I want is to have to employ a team of builders to renovate something. What about this one?’

As they debated about the imaginary properties she might buy, Ally felt like a complete charlatan.

‘Come on, let’s go back to thecave. I’m feeling too depressed now I’ve seen what’s available for the money I’ve got to spend. And no, I can’t go any higher,’ she said pointedly as they walked outside and along the narrow street towards their car. ‘So, are you actually managing to learn anything at all whilst you’re here, considering the language barrier?’

‘Yeah, I’ve learnt a sackload of stuff,’ he said as they climbed into the car and he started up the engine. ‘A lot of it is watching the practical process, so you don’t need words to explain what they’re doing. The problem is, the soil here is more alkaline than it is back at home, but I’m definitely gonna try growing a few different vines and test out the mix of grapes they use here for the Châteauneuf-du-Pape.’

‘How much longer are you staying?’

‘Technically, until after the harvest. In reality, I could stay in Europe longer if I wanted, because it’s the quiet period for me at the vineyard back home. So I just might go visit some other countries whilst I’ve got the chance. Y’never know, I might pitch up in Norway.’

‘Feel free to do so,’ Ally said as they arrived back at thecave, and she got out of the car to help Jack take the shopping inside.

‘Good afternoon,’ Ginette said as she stood in the courtyard. ‘I wondered where you two had got to. Can you take that shopping into the kitchen? I have to collect the children from school.’

‘O’course,’ Jack agreed.

‘Oh, and Ally? You are very welcome to eat with us again tonight.’

‘Thanks, Ginette,’ Ally said as she followed Jack into the kitchen. The room – in fact, the whole farmhouse – was in need of renovation, she thought, as she unpacked the bags and stowed perishables into the fridge.

‘Does François make any money from his wine?’ she asked Jack.

‘Not a lot, because any spare profit he makes is just poured back into expanding the vineyard or updating the machinery. The oak barrels down in the cellar are over a hundred years old. Last winter, they got a shedload of rain, so he’s had to spend a lot of money making it watertight. That’s climate change for you,’ Jack shrugged. ‘All right, I need a cuppa.’

‘A cuppa?’

‘A cuppa tea,’ Jack explained as he took the kettle and filled it from the tap. ‘They don’t go big on tea here in Provence. I had to go and buy this myself,’ he added as he switched it on. ‘And the teabags. Want one?’

‘Oh, I’m fine, actually. I’m going to walk back to mygîte. I have a few phone calls to make.’

‘Okay. You coming over tonight?’

‘I... does Ginette invite all her guests to eat with the family?’

‘Only the ones she likes. So she obviously likes you.’

‘I don’t want to impose.’

‘Let me promise you that if Ginette didn’t want you, she wouldn’t have asked. It’s her that rules the roost around here, not François. Like all women, I suppose,’ Jack smiled. ‘See you later?’

‘Okay, yes. Bye, Jack.’

Ally walked back through the vines with her own bag of shopping, which would now be redundant as she was having supper at the farmhouse. Pouring herself a large glass of water to try and ward off the headache she always got if she drank at lunchtime, she went to sit outside and dug in her handbag to check her mobile, which had been on silent ever since she’d left for Gigondas with Jack this morning. As she’d expected, there were a number of missed calls. None of them were from Atlantis, thank God, just from Star. Ally dialled her number.

‘Hi, Star, it’s me. I haven’t listened to any messages you’ve left, so tell me, what’s happened?’

‘I’m afraid we’ve lost her, Ally. Even though Orlando sat in the hotel lobby all day, he nipped to the loo and came back to find she’d gone. I’m back in Kent, just about to go and collect Rory, and Orlando is following on by train. We’ve no idea where she’s gone, Ally. The trail is cold.’

‘Oh dear.’ Ally bit her lip. ‘I’m sorry, Star. I know you tried really hard to get her to talk.’

‘We did. Orlando’s furious with himself for missing her. The doorman on duty was told to watch out for her, but apparently, a big party of guests had just arrived. She somehow managed to slip out. Are you still at thecave?’