Page 88 of Vianne

‘Guy!’ My cry alerted Stéphane. We both went to embrace him. He smelt of old wool stored in mothballs, and of the chocolaterie. ‘But where have you been? We all wondered if you were ever coming back!’

He grinned. ‘You don’t get rid of me as easily as that,’ he said.

‘But I had business in Toulouse. My father phoned the other day. Made it clear that if I didn’t go to see him immediately, then any financial assistance I hoped to get from the family – including my allowance, plus any inheritance to come – would be cut off without delay.

’ He paused, and his gaze moved beyond me, to where Mahmed had left his place in the preparation area, and was standing, stone-faced, hair in his eyes, round the back of the counter.

‘Turns out somebody sent him a copy of the article.’

Mahmed shrugged, but I sensed his apprehension. ‘And what did you say?’

‘I told him it was nonsense.’

Mahmed stiffened imperceptibly.

‘I said Vianne wasn’t my partner,’ said Guy, ‘but that I’d been living with a man who was much more than just a friend.’

Still Mahmed seemed not to react, but I saw his colours shifting. ‘And what did he say to that?’

Guy shrugged. ‘Cut off my allowance immediately, and told me to get back to Marseille.’ He gave his old familiar smile.

‘I’m done with being someone I’m not,’ he said.

‘I’m done with expectations.’ He looked at Mahmed.

‘And I’m done with living half a life. I want to do this on my own terms— whatever this turns out to be. ’

I looked for distress in his colours, but saw nothing but liberation. ‘So – how will you manage?’ I said at last.

‘We’ll manage,’ said Guy. ‘My grandfather says he’ll invest in our business. Says he believes in what we do. Wanted to meet you, and see for himself. And it wouldn’t be a gift, but a business loan, to be repaid.’ He grinned at Mahmed. ‘What do you say?’

Mahmed shrugged.

‘I mean, we’ll be bankrupt by Easter,’ he said. ‘Probably sooner at this rate.’ Then he smiled, and his face transformed. For the first time in weeks, I could see him again; the warmth, the mischief, the friendship, the love.

‘Magic beans,’ he said. ‘I’m in.’