Chapter 29
29
Once back from the village with the wine in the fridge and the large pizza ready to go in the oven, a green salad quickly made, Sasha played with Mimi and Mitzi before jumping under her new power shower and revelling once again in the force of the water.
Freddie appeared in his garden as Sasha was tidying up the terrace and putting some cushions on two of the chairs. ‘Penny’s coming round later. Are you home for the evening?’
‘No, I’m off to see Maddie and Jade. I can’t believe that I’ve finally met someone who’s becoming more special to me every time I see her.’
‘Jade still keen to come and see the pups?’
Freddie nodded. ‘Yes.’
‘How about one day next week? After-school tea?’
‘Thanks, sis. I’ll ask Maddie which day would be best.’ Freddie flashed her a smile, went to say something and changed his mind.
‘What?’ Sasha said.
‘We need to have a talk – nothing’s wrong. Just that I need some sisterly advice.’
‘Okay. Whenever you’re ready.’
Sasha switched the oven on, ready to pop the pizza in, before putting plates, serviettes and glasses out on the table.
Penny appeared shortly after eight o’clock and the two of them enjoyed a glass of crémant sitting out on the terrace with the puppies playing around their feet, as they waited for the pizza to cook.
‘You’ve done a brilliant job with the trompe l’?ils ,’ Penny said. ‘The wall looks beautiful. Mum and Dad are so thrilled with it – especially the middle one with Merlin looking out over his stable door towards the chateau.’
‘I loved doing it. I was actually thinking of doing something on this wall,’ Sasha said, pointing to the cottage. ‘But we’ll see. How is Ingrid? She seems to have stopped using her crutch these days, but I notice she’s very careful.’
‘She’s still determined to work in the kitchen the evening of the wedding. Not sure how that’s going to work out,’ Penny said. ‘It’s going to be a bit of a madhouse getting the courses out quickly. So I’ve roped Jean-Paul in to help out in case Mum falls by the wayside – not literally of course, but you know what I mean. You are still happy to do waitressing duties with Alice and Lucas?’ Penny looked relieved when Sasha nodded. ‘If you and Alice take two tables each and Lucas does the head table, it shouldn’t be too much to cope with. Dad is going to be in charge of the drinks.’
‘What do you want Alice and me to wear? Don’t think I’ve got anything formal.’
‘A pretty summer dress will be fine. Stella insists she wants everything as informal as possible.’
‘I can manage that,’ Sasha said as the timer in the kitchen pinged. ‘I’ll fetch the pizza.’
As the two of them ate their slices of pizza and salads, Penny glanced at Sasha.
‘Lucas asked me to have dinner with him.’
‘I hope you said yes. Lucas is lovely,’ Sasha said.
‘I’m not sure I’m ready for another relationship yet,’ Penny said quietly. ‘I said no, but I did say he should ask me again after Stella’s wedding.’
‘Good. Go for dinner and tell him you’d like to be friends for a bit. That you’re just out of a painful break-up and want to take things slowly,’ Sasha said. ‘I’m sure Lucas will understand.’
‘Once this wedding is over, I’ll definitely say yes,’ Penny said. ‘Did I hear Freddie has met someone?’
‘Yes, Maddie lives in the next village and has a young daughter. He wants to bring them here for me to meet them properly. They’re coming one day next week. I just wish I didn’t have this funny feeling that it’s all going to end in tears.’
Penny looked at her. ‘Why would it?’
‘My brother hasn’t had much luck with women and I think he does really like Maddie. He said earlier that we needed to talk, he wants some sisterly advice. Which is worrying. But sorting his love life out is going to have to wait,’ and Sasha and Penny looked at each other as they chorused together, ‘until after the wedding, ’ before they both burst out laughing.
Just before ten o’clock, Penny stood up and pulled an envelope out of her jeans. ‘I’d better get back. But I almost forgot to give you this. Mum said to say a big thank you for the trompe l’?ils . They are truly special. She’ll thank you in person the next time she sees you, but she wanted you to have this straight away.’
‘I loved doing them,’ Sasha said, taking the envelope and slipping it into her own jean pocket. ‘Thank your mum for me.’
After Penny had left, Sasha cleared the table and had a quick tidy-up of the kitchen before taking the envelope out of her pocket and opening it. It was full of hundred-euro notes. Twenty of them. Sasha stared at them in disbelief. Had Ingrid really intended to pay her two thousand euros for her paintings? The note that was with the money confirmed it wasn’t a mistake.
We can’t thank you enough for your amazing trompe l’?ils that have completely transformed the orangery. We hope that the enclosed 2K is enough to cover paint costs and also your time. L. Ingrid and Peter.