Escape to the French Riviera

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Marmalade is purring in his cat basket in the kitchen as we take drinks out for the barbecue that Elias is preparing by the pool. He is quite a content little thing and quickly becoming a valued member of our household.

All the young ones hang around the pool in shorts and flip-flops whilst I float around in my strappy summer dress feeling like I belong here. I never thought I’d fit in somewhere like this, but Renee has welcomed me with open arms to the neighbourhood. She says she will introduce me to some of the other neighbours once both sets of offspring leave, and I have found myself quite looking forward to it.

I look across to Danny, who is drinking a bottle of beer. He glances over at me, and I smile. After he caught me sneaking around, I fear I may have damaged all the good that Jasmine did, but he lifts his beer bottle as if to say cheers and nods his head at me. That’s certainly a more positive interaction than I have had so far with him. I decide to try my luck at a conversation and gingerly approach him since he is sitting with Poppy.

‘Hi, you enjoying the place so far?’ A bit of a lame question, but how do you thaw the ice with someone who has taken a dislike to you through no fault of your own and who then caught you eavesdropping?

‘Yeah, great. I didn’t know I’d have so much in common with Poppy here. She plays soccer at uni. I’d no idea.’

I am so relieved that he is finally willing to speak to me civilly.

‘Yeah, she’s very good too, aren’t you? She has a whole language of her own. Like offside and flip flap, what on earth is that? I thought she was playing soccer in her flip-flops when she said that.’

‘Oh, Mam, you’re so embarrassing,’ says Poppy, rolling her eyes.

‘Dad’s the same. Comes out with some right clangers,’ says Danny.

‘That’s old people for you,’ interrupts Poppy.

‘Oi, excuse me,’ I say.

I look across to the barbecue, where Elias has left James in charge for a moment as he heads over to join the three of us.

‘What’s going on here then? Am I missing anything exciting?’

‘No, just talking about the stuff you come out with,’ says Danny.

‘All intellectual, I assume?’ says Elias.

‘Umm, no, quite the opposite, but never mind.’ Poppy and Danny laugh, and Elias pretends to look offended. Then he takes my hand in front of Danny, and I worry he might find it difficult. I watch Danny as he notices, but then he looks at his dad and smiles. Oh, Jasmine! You have worked wonders on him.

‘Did Danny tell you he’s renting a space for artists to display their work, in memory of his mum?’ says Elias.

‘Oh, how fantastic. Well, if we can do anything at all to help, please let us know.’

‘I will. Although Dad said that you’ve been writing a book.’

‘Yeah, it’s finally finished. The scary bit comes next – waiting to see what the publishers and agents think of it.’

‘Well, if you ever fancy doing a reading at the new place, let me know. The venue I’ve rented is suitable for all kinds of creativity, not just paintings. We’re going to hold poetry readings too, although that’s more my girlfriend’s sort of thing,’ says Danny.

‘Gosh, that’s so kind of you. I’d love that. I’m not sure it’ll get published. I mean, I hope it will, but it’s not easy. But if it does and I build up a bit more confidence about public speaking, then that would be a great idea. Thank you.’

Danny smiles at me and this conciliatory gesture feels like an important moment between us all. I have finally been accepted.

As I watch Danny and Poppy chatting, Jasmine helping James with the barbecue and Elias walking into the kitchen to check on Marmalade, my life feels complete. There is nothing more I could possibly wish for.