Chapter 24
24
PRESENT DAY
The sound of a single bell toll from the clocktower woke Maggie from her sleep. She looked at her phone, surprised to see it was already quarter past seven in the morning. Realising she hadn’t woken once in the night, she laid her head back onto her pillow and sighed. No wonder she felt so rested. Then she remembered. Tomorrow she’d be returning home. Her heart dropped. She really, really didn’t want to leave just yet.
Deciding to make the most of the time she had left, Maggie got out of bed and put her swimming costume on under her T-shirt and shorts, scribbled Allegra a note telling her she’d gone to the beach and that she’d be back with croissants by eight o’clock. Less than ten minutes later Maggie was in the sea, the beach almost empty bar a couple of other swimmers a little further down from her. As she lay on her towel on the sand drying off, she thought about what they’d talked about the day before. Living in the now. As thoughts of returning to work started to flood her mind, Maggie filed them away one by one. ‘I will deal with you tomorrow,’ she said out loud. A shadow crossed over her.
‘Deal with who?’ said a voice.
‘Jesus!’ Maggie shouted, opening her eyes. It was Nico.
‘I’m not following you, I promise,’ he said, then rolled his eyes. ‘ Merde , that sounds worse.’
Maggie sat up. ‘You gave me such a fright.’
‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to. Can I sit?’
‘Go ahead.’ Maggie hugged her knees to her chest. ‘Are you sure you’re not following me?’ She glanced at him, trying not to smile.
He paused. ‘Not this time.’
Maggie narrowed her eyes. ‘What do you mean not this time?’
‘I really needed to jump in the sea this morning. We finished picking about an hour ago and I don’t have to be back until ten this morning. I had no idea you’d be here.’
‘Right.’ Her eyes swept down across his tanned, toned body. She could feel herself blushing and quickly looked away. ‘So which time did you follow me?’
‘I didn’t follow you, just to be clear. But yesterday, when I said I was getting something for the tractor? That wasn’t entirely true. Well, it was but I didn’t have to do it. It’s not my job but I offered because I wanted to come back to the café and see if you were there. Which sounds ridiculous, I know. We met for, like, two minutes before.’ He shrugged his shoulders.
Maggie couldn’t help but notice the sea water glistening on his skin.
‘I wanted to see you again.’
‘I don’t know whether to be flattered or freaked out, to be honest.’ She shielded her eyes from the glare of the sun.
‘I’m really hoping you go for the first choice,’ he said, holding her gaze.
They looked at one another for a moment. Despite the oddness of the situation, Maggie thought it strangely familiar too. Truthfully, far from being freaked out, she felt calm. Before she could change her mind, Maggie opened her mouth to speak. ‘Have you got time for a coffee? I need to pick up some bread.’
They walked back along the beach towards the old harbour, then made their way through the streets behind to the café. As they took their seats at a table against the wall, the waiter gave Maggie a knowing look. They ordered their coffees and for the first time since they’d met, neither quite knew what to say.
‘So, are you…’ said Maggie.
‘Tell me…’ said Nico, speaking at the same time.
‘You first,’ said Maggie.
‘Sorry, you go…’
‘Please,’ she laughed.
Nico smiled at her. ‘I wanted to ask how your trip was yesterday. Did you find the vineyard?’
‘We did, but sadly it wasn’t the visit I’d hoped. My friend who I’m staying with stayed there years ago, I think I told you, but when we found it, it looked pretty deserted. The gates were locked and the vineyards obviously hadn’t been looked after for a while. Still, we had a really lovely picnic looking at the view. It’s really beautiful.’
‘Where was it exactly?’ Nico put his coffee cup down.
‘Just off the road to Fréjus, not the main one, the other one. I took a few photos. Hang on, I can show you.’ Maggie reached for her phone and tapped on the screen a few times. ‘That’s the entrance gate, you can just see the house behind the trees there.’
Nico leant in towards her and looked at the screen. ‘Have you got any more photos?’
Maggie swiped through them. ‘There’s the view down to the bay and this is the other vineyard.’
Nico stared at the photo. ‘Was there a stone hut?’
‘Yes, here.’ Maggie swiped the screen again. ‘It’s not got much of a roof or a door any more.’
She waited for him to say something. ‘Do you know it?’
Nico shook his head. ‘I don’t believe it. I think that’s my mother’s old family home.’
Maggie gasped. ‘Wait, is your mother called…’
‘Camille.’ Nico looked at Maggie, his dark eyes wide. ‘What is the name of the lady you are staying with?’
‘Allegra Morgon. She’s American but she’s been living here for about twenty years. She lives just up there in the Old Town.’
‘In the house left to her by…’
‘Etienne. Oh my God, are you…?’
‘Camille’s son.’ Nico nodded.
‘But… how come you know this place? I thought they sold it years ago.’
‘They did. I think it changed hands a few times but I had no idea it was empty. That’s so sad.’ Nico looked at the screen again. ‘My mother loved it there.’
‘So, you know Allegra?’
‘No, I mean I’ve heard about her from my mother – they keep in touch I think – but my parents are winemakers in Burgundy. I’ve lived there all my life. Like my uncle did, I work all over the place but I wanted to do a vintage down here this year, so I got a job at the vineyard I told you about. The one just outside Cannes towards Mougins.’ He looked back at the screen. ‘Go back to those vines a minute.’
Maggie put her fingers on the screen and zoomed in on the photo. ‘These ones?’
‘Exactly.’ Nico studied the image. ‘Those old bush vines must be at least eighty years old, probably planted by my grandfather.’
‘That’s insane!’ said Maggie, laughing. ‘I can’t wait to tell Allegra. In fact, you’ve got to meet her. I know she’d love to meet you.’
Nico was still looking at the screen. ‘I still can’t believe it.’
‘You should send the photos to your mother. I can AirDrop them to you.’
‘I think she might find it too sad seeing it like that. I wonder who owns it now. There wasn’t a for-sale sign or anything like that?’
‘Not that I noticed. It was just locked up.’
‘I’ll ask the team where I’m working, I’m sure someone will know.’
‘So, will you come and meet Allegra? We could have a drink later maybe?’
‘Definitely, I have to work tonight but I can come before then. Let me take your number… if that’s okay?’
Maggie tried not to look too pleased. ‘Sure,’ she said. She put it into his phone and called hers before handing it back to him. ‘I’ll check with Allegra and let you know. I’d better get back.’
‘Of course, I’ll wait to hear from you,’ said Nico. He drained his coffee. ‘ à bient?t .’
Maggie walked back up the hill, fresh croissants in a paper bag and a baguette under her arm. The bells in the clocktower struck nine times as she opened the front door. The last hour had flown by without her noticing.
Allegra was already up and pottering in the kitchen upstairs. ‘Did you swim?’
‘I did,’ said Maggie. ‘And I have to tell you, I met someone at the beach. Actually, we’d bumped into each other before but just by chance. Apart from one time, when he’d planned it. But that’s not the point…’
‘Maggie, you’re not making any sense at all. Sit down and start from the beginning.’
‘Sorry, you’re right, I’ll start again.’ Maggie sat down at the table. ‘So, I met someone called Nico.’
Allegra joined her at the table. ‘And…?’
Maggie took a deep breath. ‘And you won’t believe this but he’s Camille’s son.’
‘Did you just say Camille’s son, as in Etienne’s Camille?’
‘That’s exactly who I mean,’ said Maggie.
Allegra looked completely taken aback.
‘I know, it’s a lot,’ said Maggie.
‘But… how did you make the connection?’
‘That’s the thing, we’d bumped into each other a few times but had no idea obviously. Then this morning he was at the beach swimming and we went for a coffee. I’d told him I wanted to see a vineyard and he’s working at one nearby but I’d said I wanted to go to another one that you knew. He didn’t know it was you when I told him that. Anyway long story short, I described the house and the vineyard from yesterday and showed him some pictures and he knew pretty much straight away where I was talking about. He’s never been but obviously his mother had told him about it.’
Allegra sat back in her chair. ‘What’s he like?’
Maggie pointed at the box of photographs on the table. ‘He looks a bit like Etienne but with curly dark hair.’
‘His grandfather Nicolas had curly dark hair.’ Allegra thought for a moment. ‘Can I see him?’
‘I was hoping you’d say that! I do have his number; perhaps we could meet him for a drink later?’
Allegra looked at Maggie. ‘I’d love him to come here.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Absolutely. And I think by the look of you, you’d like that too.’
Maggie blushed. ‘Is it that obvious?’
‘Literally written all over your face, darling.’ Allegra laughed. ‘Tell him to come at six if that suits him.’
* * *
After breakfast, they walked down to the harbour, then on to the food market to pick up something for lunch. As it was to be Maggie’s last night, Allegra insisted on booking a table for dinner at one of her favourite restaurants as they passed it on their way back up to the house. Maggie was on a flight the following morning, and as much as she tried to not think about it, the knot in her stomach was impossible to ignore.
Later that afternoon, Maggie lay on the sofa on the terrace trying to read her book when Allegra appeared at the top of the stairs, a straw hat in one hand.
‘I thought you were going to have a nap,’ said Maggie.
‘I couldn’t sleep,’ said Allegra. ‘I can’t stop thinking about the farmhouse we visited yesterday. It really was so very sad seeing it like that. I just don’t understand how anyone can leave a place like that to go to ruin. It’s such a waste.’ Allegra looked devastated.
Maggie changed the subject, hoping it would take Allegra’s mind off the house. ‘I’ve been meaning to ask, what’s the story behind the Picasso downstairs? I’m sure you said he gave it to you.’
Allegra sat down at the other end of the sofa, stretched her legs out and put on her hat. ‘Yes, he did. The Museum of Modern Art in New York had a show in 1962 to mark his eightieth birthday. Val knew the directors of the show, so we went to the opening. It had everything from his drawings and paintings to sculptures and ceramics. Think what you like of the man but his art is extraordinary. Impossible to label, really. I remember one particular painting, a woman by a window, painted in Cannes. Anyway, I got talking to someone at the party and said I was sorry not to see his painting called The Pigeons as I wanted to see it because it reminded me of the first time I laid eyes on the Mediterranean. It was like a door opening to a whole new world. When I eventually bought the gallery from Val, she gave me the signed limited edition print of the painting, the one downstairs. They got it from Picasso via an art dealer, a friend of theirs who’d had a gallery in New York about ten blocks down from Val’s. Turns out the person I’d been talking to was the art dealer, not that I realised at the time.’
‘Is it worth a fortune?’ said Maggie. ‘Sorry, that’s really crass of me.’
Allegra lowered her voice. ‘Not compared with the Rodin. That one really is worth quite a bit. It’s been lent to various museums over the years but when I moved here, I decided I wanted it on my wall, so I could look at it whenever I wanted to. It reminds me of falling in love for the first time.’
‘I love that,’ said Maggie, sighing. ‘You know, this trip has been like a door opening for me. Thank you so much for having me.’
‘We’re not done yet.’ Allegra laughed.
The doorbell rang, making Maggie jump.
‘Well, are you going to let him in?’ said Allegra, raising that arched eyebrow of hers.
Maggie looked down over the side of the balcony to see Nico standing there, running his hands through his hair. ‘I’ll come down,’ she called.
He looked up at her and waved.
Maggie sat back down, then stood up. ‘I was going to change.’
‘Too late,’ said Allegra.
‘Shall I get drinks? What shall I offer him?’
‘Maggie, relax.’ Allegra held out her hand with her good arm and took Maggie’s in hers.
Maggie nodded. She walked down the stairs, checking her appearance in the bathroom mirror on her way past, wishing she’d at least had time to put on mascara. She inspected her teeth in the mirror to make sure she didn’t have anything stuck in them then went downstairs. She opened the door to find Nico standing with two small bunches of flowers in his hand.
‘I got you these,’ he said, holding the bunch out to her. ‘And one for Allegra.’
‘Thank you. Come in,’ said Maggie, taking the flowers. She was ridiculously pleased to see him.
Nico followed her up to the kitchen. ‘What can I get you to drink?’
‘Whatever you’re having.’
‘We were going to have a glass of this,’ she said, holding up the opened bottle of rosé from the fridge door.
‘Perfect.’
She poured out three glasses of wine and she offered him one. As he took it, their fingers touched briefly.
‘Follow me,’ said Maggie. ‘We’re on the roof.’
As soon as Allegra saw Nico, tears sprang to her eyes.
‘Hello, I’m Nico. It’s so good to finally meet you.’ He held out the flowers. ‘I bought you these.’
‘You look so like your uncle,’ whispered Allegra, as much to herself as to him. She held out her hand. ‘I’m Allegra, it’s lovely to meet you too. Please, come and sit down.’
‘I told my mother I was coming; she said to send you her love and she hopes you are well. She says you were the one that got away and it was all my uncle’s fault.’ Nico smiled.
‘I am quite well, apart from this damn thing,’ said Allegra, nodding at her arm in the sling. ‘The only good thing to come out of it is that it meant Maggie had to stay for a few more days. And as for the one that got away, that’s a whole other story.’ She laughed. ‘So, tell me what you know about your parents’ old house?’
‘It is so sad, really.’ Nico shrugged his shoulders. ‘My mother, along with my uncle and aunt…’
‘Isabelle, wasn’t that her name? I never met her,’ said Allegra.
‘That’s right.’ Nico nodded. ‘They inherited the Domaine when my grandparents died, the house and the vineyards, but by then Isabelle was married to a winemaker in Bordeaux and they weren’t interested in somewhere in Provence, so she wanted to sell. My mother and Etienne couldn’t afford to keep it without her, sadly. They had to sell and I found out from the people I’m working for now that it was eventually bought by a couple from Paris. They promised to do great things with it apparently, but after a few years decided winemaking wasn’t for them and just left it empty. There’s an ongoing divorce case, which makes things complicated.’
‘Did you ever go when you were little?’ asked Allegra, picking up her glass.
‘No, they sold it before I was born so I’ve never seen it. My mother had me when she was in her forties so she’d long since left and was living in Burgundy by the time I was born. But after seeing Maggie’s photos I’m going to drive up there and have a look. The vines look incredible, the vineyard is in such a good location. The terroir up there is fantastic for vines.’
‘Allegra, tell Nico about the harvest party you told me about,’ said Maggie. She turned to Nico. ‘It sounded like something out of a film.’
‘My family love a good party,’ said Nico, laughing. ‘I can just imagine.’
They chatted on as the sun started to set behind them and the bay emptied of boats.
When the bells rang out seven times, Nico got up. ‘I’m so sorry, I’ve got to go. We’re doing a night harvest tonight; we start in about an hour.’ He turned to Maggie. ‘When do you go home?’
‘Tomorrow, sadly.’ Maggie’s eyes dropped to the floor.
‘That is a shame,’ said Nico. ‘I don’t suppose…’ He paused. ‘Obviously only if you want to but why don’t you come with me? It’s the last one tonight.’
‘Oh, you should definitely do that, Maggie. What a wonderful experience!’
Maggie looked at Allegra. ‘I can’t leave you…’
‘Of course you can! I’ve got dinner booked, remember? Don’t you worry about me, I’ll be fine.’
‘There’s a small party in the vineyard afterwards and there’s a harvest moon tonight.’ Nico looked at Maggie hopefully.
‘I’m not sure. My flight is in the morning. I’ve got to be at the airport by eight o’clock,’ said Maggie.
‘Nico, what time do you finish?’ asked Allegra.
‘Usually about five in the morning but you can leave at any time, really. Maybe just come for a bit?’
‘You can sleep on the plane!’ Allegra nudged Maggie with her foot.
‘You’re sure you don’t mind about dinner?’ Maggie felt awful leaving Allegra on her last night but one look at her host’s face told her Allegra wasn’t going to have it any other way.
‘Darling, dinner on my own at that restaurant is one of my greatest joys. Honestly, you must go. I’ll see you in the morning, just promise to come and wake me up before you leave.’
Maggie turned to Nico. ‘What do I need?’
‘A pair of secateurs. I’ve got some you can use.’ He grinned and reached for her hand. ‘Ready?’
By the time they got to the vineyard, barely fifteen minutes from the edge of town in the foothills behind Cannes, Nico had talked Maggie through what to expect from her first night harvest. They turned off the road and made their way up the steep drive to the chateau; in front of the house, people of all ages gathered ready for the last pick of the season. Nico introduced Maggie to a stream of people from the workers to the owners, along with friends and family all roped in for one last push.
Nico had patiently shown her exactly what to do, from selecting the right bunches of grapes to cutting the vine so as not to cause any damage. Maggie set to work, Nico coming back to check on her often as he moved through the vineyard overseeing the pickers. There was a rhythm to the work she found calming, her mind focused on nothing but the task in hand. The only thing that mattered was cutting the bunches from the vine as gently as possible so as not to damage the fruit.
Once the last of the grapes were placed carefully in the waiting crates and onto the waiting trailer to take them to the winery, everyone came together around a long table set up in front of the house for a candlelit feast that went long into the night. The atmosphere was one of celebration and joy, and once seated, Nico barely left her side. He happily translated the conversations around them as the wine flowed. At one point, the owner’s wife joined them, putting herself between Maggie and Nico, telling her she mustn’t let him get away, much to Nico’s obvious embarrassment.
The music started as soon as the last of the plates were cleared and Maggie and Nico danced in the moonlight under a tree festooned with paper lanterns. Nico spun her around, then held her close, their bodies moving to the music as one. For the first time in a very long time, Maggie didn’t want the night to be over. When all but a handful of guests were left, Nico took Maggie’s hand and led her down to the garden beyond the house where they sat on a stone bench overlooking the vineyard, the lights of Cannes in the distance. Nico asked about Allegra and Maggie about Etienne, agreeing what a love story that must have been. They talked about their families, of Nico’s dream of owning a vineyard of his own one day and Maggie’s plan to write. Finally, he took her face in his hands and kissed her under the harvest moon, still visible in the sky above them. By the time dawn broke over the vineyard, their own love story had truly begun.