Page 95 of The Missing Sister

While she waited, Ally went outside into the courtyard and sat down on an ancient wrought-iron bench. The courtyard was full of wooden wine pallets, but also children’s scooters, bikes and a rusty climbing frame. The sun was lower now in the azure-blue sky and Ally tilted her head back to enjoy its warmth on her face. The rosé tasted wonderful and she closed her eyes, breathing in deeply and trying to relax.

‘Bonjour, mademoiselle, I am Ginette Valmer, and I will take you down to thegîte,’ came a bright voice. Ally opened her eyes to see a dark-haired woman of around forty, wearing jeans, a T-shirt and a stained apron. She was carrying a small basket of food.

‘I am pleased to meet you too. I am Ally D’Aplièse,’ Ally said in formal French as she shook the woman’s hand. She collected her holdall from the car and they walked along the chalky path towards thegîte, which was to the left of the farmhouse, nestled in an idyllic spot amongst the vines. She made polite conversation in response to Madame Valmer’s questions.

‘Yes, I live in Geneva, and I’m down here visiting for a few days.’

‘To taste the wines?’

‘Yes, and to also... look for a house round here.’ The words fell out of Ally’s mouth before she could stop them.

‘Well, there areimmobiliersin both Gigondas and Vacqueyras and also another in Beaumes-de-Venise. I can give you their telephone numbers or you can visit if you wish,’ Madame Valmer replied as they reached the front door of thegîte. ‘Now, here we are. It is very small, but okay for one person or a couple,’ she said as they walked inside. Ally saw a basic but clean space with a small kitchenette along one side, a heavy French mahogany bed, and a sofa and two chairs placed in front of a tiny corner fireplace.

‘The shower and toilet are through there,’ Madame Valmer added, pointing to a wooden door at the back. She placed the basket on the small counter. ‘Here is a fresh baguette, some butter, cheese and milk and there is already some rosé in the fridge.’

‘Thank you, but really, I can go shopping.’

‘Everything will be closed by now around here. You know how it is in France,’ Madame Valmer smiled, her dark eyes dancing. ‘Nothing is ever open when you need it.’

‘Then maybe you could tell me of a restaurant or a café close by where I could get something to eat? It’s been a long journey from Geneva.’

‘Ah, there are a few, but...’

There was a pause as Madame Valmer eyed her. ‘Come for dinner with us.’

‘Are you sure? I can easily find something in Gigondas,’ said Ally.

‘Another mouth will make no difference. I have three children and four hungry men who work in thecave, so’ – Madame Valmer waved her hands at Ally expressively – ‘one more is no problem. And it will be a change to have another female at the table!’

‘I’d like that very much, if you don’t mind.’

‘It is simple food; we will eat at seven thirty. See you then.’

‘Merci, Madame Valmer, à ce soir.’

‘Call me Ginette!’ she said as she left thegîte.

Ally went to the fridge and opened the ice-cold bottle of rosé. Walking outside, she saw an old worn table and two iron chairs placed just to the side of thegîte. She sat down to enjoy the sun on her face and to call Atlantis. The home number was engaged, so she rang Maia instead.

‘Hi, just calling to say I’ve arrived safely. How is Bear?’

‘In the bath with Ma clucking over him. He’s fine, and I think Ma is really enjoying being in charge. So, have you met Jack yet?’

‘No, just a son of the family and a woman who I presume is one of the owners of thecave. For some reason, when she asked me why I was here, I said I was house-hunting!’ Ally chuckled. ‘Anyway, the good news is, I’ve been invited to dinner with them all tonight. Hopefully this Jack will be at the table, and I can start a conversation with him.’

‘Wonderful! Whatever happens, staying in agîtein Provence and eating a home-cooked French supper sounds delightful to me.’

‘Well, it’s so beautiful here, I might be serious about buying a house. The thought of another freezing and rainy Bergen winter isn’t appealing just now.’

‘There’s no harm in looking, is there?’

‘I was only joking, Maia. I have Thom and my father there. Actually, I must give Felix a call too and make sure he isn’t lying in a pool of whisky somewhere. Tell Ma to give Bear a big goodnight kiss from hismaman, won’t you?’

‘Of course I will. And Ally?’

‘Yes?’

‘Forget Jack for now and just enjoy your time there.À bientôt.’