Chapter 26
26
ONE YEAR LATER
‘Do you think we’ll have blue skies today?’ said Maggie, looking out of the window. She stretched and yawned. ‘Oh, hello you.’
A cat jumped onto the end of the bed and made himself comfortable.
Her mother turned from where she was standing at Maggie’s bedroom window. ‘I think it’s going to be a beautiful day.’
‘How’s Dad?’
‘He just can’t cope with too much change. Today might be a bit confusing for him but he’ll be fine. I’ll make sure he gets some rest before this afternoon.’
‘Okay, as long as you’re happy. I’d better get up.’
‘Darling, whilst I’ve got you to myself can I just say something?’
‘As long as you don’t make me cry, go ahead.’ Maggie looked at her mother, a small smile on her lips.
Her mother sat on the edge of the bed. ‘We are so, so proud of you, especially given everything you’ve been through.’
‘Mum, I said you are not to make me cry,’ said Maggie, tears welling in her eyes.
‘I know, I’m sorry. I lied,’ she said. ‘We know there were times when you felt completely lost, as did we watching you go through everything you’ve been through. It was awful not being able to just make it all better. But this past year, you really have found the happiness you deserve.’
Maggie wiped her cheeks, laughing gently. ‘Mum, stop.’
‘Seriously, Maggie. You have made some big decisions, ones not everyone would be brave enough to make.’
‘You know, when I first came here Allegra said something to me that didn’t make sense, but now I get it. A friend of hers once told her that if it weren’t for second chances, we’d all be alone. I remember thinking what’s wrong with being on your own? And of course, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it if that’s what you want. After Jack, I was better off that way.’
‘But then Nico turned up…’
Maggie smiled. ‘Then Nico turned up. It’s funny, looking back I think Allegra knew I loved him before I did. I’d got used to staying on my own, keeping busy to avoid pain, but that wasn’t the answer.’
‘Do you think that’s why she wrote the letter?’
‘Exactly. She gave me a choice. I could say no, or I could give it a go.’
‘Well, I’m so happy for you. This place is beautiful.’
‘Mum, it’s still a building site,’ said Maggie. ‘But we’re getting there. To be honest, we’re happy living in chaos for a while if the vines are in good shape.’ She looked at her watch. ‘Nico is out there already.’
‘What time is everyone coming?’
‘Five o’clock so we have plenty of time. I’m so pleased you’re here for your first proper French harvest supper.’
Her mother nudged her daughter’s arm.
Maggie grinned. ‘And my wedding.’
‘Talking of which, may I?’ Her mother pointed at the large wooden cupboard in the corner.
‘Of course, it’s on the right.’
Her mother went over to the cupboard and carefully pulled out a long, pale gold sleeveless satin dress, hanging it on the door. She stood back and looked at it. ‘Oh Maggie, it’s beautiful.’
‘Thank you, one of my friends in the next-door village made it. You’ll meet her later. She’s coming with her husband and kids.’
Suddenly, they heard Nico’s voice calling for Maggie up the stairs.
‘Nico, you can’t come in, it’s bad luck,’ shouted Maggie, crossing the room to close the door.
‘Wouldn’t dream of it,’ he said, from the other side. ‘But I had to come and tell you, Maggie. The grapes on those old vines? They are unbelievable. We got the last of them in this morning.’
‘I wish you’d let me come with you,’ said Maggie, her face pressed to the closed door.
Nico laughed. ‘I wanted you to have a night off. Did you have a nice dinner with your parents?’
‘We did, thank you. There are some leftovers in the fridge if you’re hungry?’
‘I already found them,’ he said. ‘Thank you.’
‘Okay, you have to go now. I’ll see you down there at five.’
‘Don’t be late,’ said Nico.
‘I promise.’ She turned and looked at her mother sitting on the bed, the cat on her lap, wiping a tear from her face. ‘Oh God, don’t you start, or we’ll never get through today.’
* * *
At quarter to five there was a knock at the kitchen door. Maggie was standing barefoot in her dress, her hair tied up with strips of fabric in an attempt to get a wave in it and her face completely bare of make-up. ‘Come on in, unless you’re Nico,’ said Maggie. She’d spent the day getting food ready at the house with her parents and a collection of friends coming and going, leaving Nico, at his insistence, in charge of setting up for the feast to follow in the vineyard.
Allegra appeared round the door, an enormous smile on her face.
‘You’re here!’ cried Maggie, throwing her arms around her.
‘Of course I am, I’m your chauffeur.’ Allegra laughed. ‘I asked your mother if I could drive you all down there, you and your parents, so you don’t have to walk. They’re in the car already.’
‘You did?’ Maggie looked out of the window to see Allegra’s blue Mercedes in the drive, her father and mother tying cream ribbons on the front. ‘I don’t believe it! Thank you. Can you stay here tonight?’
‘Camille and her husband are staying with me, so he’ll drive us back. They’ve already gone down.’ Allegra looked at the old clock on the wall, the same one that had been there when she’d sat round that same table. ‘We’d better get going.’
‘Okay, give me a second,’ said Maggie, unwrapping her hair. ‘I’ve just got to put on a bit of make-up.’
‘Sit down, let me sort out your hair whilst you do it.’
Maggie did as she was told and hastily applied some blusher to her cheeks, a smudge of gold eyeshadow, mascara and a touch of pale pink lipstick. ‘How’s that?’ she said, turning to Allegra.
‘Beautiful,’ she said, kissing the top of Maggie’s head. ‘Let’s go.’
By the time they got to the far vineyard, it was drenched in the light of golden hour. The stone hut, now with a roof thanks to Nico’s handiwork, was festooned with paper lanterns and huge bunches of lavender ran the length of the tables set for the feast. Everyone had gathered around and the car pulled up to spontaneous applause.
Maggie got out and looked up to see Nico waiting for her in front of the door, so smartly dressed she barely recognised him at first. When he turned and saw her, his face lit up. And as she walked towards him, she knew with all her heart she was where she was supposed to be.