Page 97 of The Missing Sister

Ally could hear that his accent sounded vaguely Australian, but softer.

‘Thanks for the warning. I’m actually really hungry. It was a long drive down here today.’

‘How far?’

‘Oh, it’s almost four hundred kilometres from Geneva, but there’s a pretty goodautoroute.’

‘So, why are you down here?’

‘I’m... house-hunting.’

‘I don’t blame you. If I didn’t have a vineyard to run in New Zealand and the language wasn’t so hard, I’d be here like a shot.’

‘How come you’re such a long way from home?’ Ally asked as she took a forkful of the salad – a mix of crisp green beans, tomatoes, egg and tuna, with a sharp creamy dressing.

‘I’m here to learn the whys and wherefores of French wine-making to see if I can apply some of their old traditions and new ideas to our own wines. And maybe try some new combos of grapes too. I mean,’ he said, taking a swig of his wine, ‘if I could make something that comes even close to this, I’d die happy.’

‘So you’re passionate about wine?’

‘Totally. I grew up on the vineyard that my father founded. He was one of the first to set up in New Zealand, and he and Mum went through blood, sweat and a load of sacrifices to get the vineyard to where it is today. It’s the family legacy, so to speak. My father died a few months ago, so now it’s all down to me. I miss the old boy. He might have been a pain at times, but not having him there with me has been tough.’

As he reached for the bottle to pour himself another glass, Ally could hardly believe how the conversation was flowing between them. Jack seemed so open, so natural... no airs and graces whatsoever.

She helped clear the plates with Ginette, and then brought out dishes of tiny roasted potatoes and broad beans, while Ginette delivered afilet de boeufto her husband to be portioned out between the diners.

‘Mon Dieu!’ Ally said as she tasted the tender steak – pink in the middle, just how she liked it. ‘This is delicious.’

‘Everything here is, and this steak is a real treat, as the meat in New Zealand is more lamb than beef,’ Jack smiled. ‘Mind you, we are getting more head of cattle around the place these days. So, Ally, you said earlier that you have sisters?’

‘Yes, I do,’ Ally said, suddenly realising she must tread carefully. ‘Five in all.’

‘Wow! I’ve got one sister, and she’s quite enough, thanks.’

‘Are you two close?’ she asked, steering the conversation back to him.

‘These days, yeah, we are. She’s adopted, actually. I was ten when she arrived so we never really grew up together, but we’ve got closer as we’ve got older. She was very cut up about Dad dying. She’s only twenty-two, y’see. She feels a bit cheated, I suppose, because she didn’t have him around for long. And of course, my mum misses him like crazy.’

‘I’ll bet she does. I managed to lose both my father and my fiancé last year, so it sounds like we’ve both had a bit of a time.’

‘Did you? I’m so sorry, Ally. The most I can say about the past year is that it’s hopefully produced a pretty good pinot noir. It’ll be my first batch,’ said Jack. ‘Is that why you’re here?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Well, my mum’s off somewhere at the moment on a world tour. Maybe women need to get away when something bad happens... not that I mean you have, or anything. Sorry, I know nothing about your circumstances at all.’

Ally saw Jack’s face reddening in embarrassment. ‘Don’t apologise. You might be right. I think everyone reacts in their different ways to grief – all my sisters definitely did. On the other hand...’ Ally turned to Jack and smiled in the dimming light. ‘You’re a long way from home, too.’

‘Touché!’ he said, clinking his glass against hers. ‘Although my trip was actually planned before my dad died, so I have an excuse. Whatever gets you through, that’s what I say.’

There was another pause as both of them helped collect the used dishes and then bring the cheese to the table. Someone had lit the lanterns, which cast a soft glow under the loggia.

‘So, Miss... Christ, I’ve forgotten your surname.’

‘D’Aplièse.’

‘So, Miss D’Aplièse,’ Jack continued as the dessert wine was being passed around, ‘I seem to have, as usual, blurted out everything about myself. What about you? I mean, what’s your passion?’

‘I trained as a flautist, but then I got sidetracked and ended up sailing in some pretty big races. This time last year I was down in Greece in the Aegean Sea. Then I did the Fastnet and—’