Chapter 41
41
Ingrid was in the chateau’s entrance hall the next day polishing Merlin and keeping an ear out for Peter’s parents arriving. As soon as she heard their car, she called out to Penny who was in the kitchen, ‘Granny and Grandad are here,’ before she opened the heavy oak front door. She knew Victoria, her mother-in-law, would take delight in walking in through that entrance rather than the back door. Penny quickly joined her and the two of them went down the steps to greet Edward and Victoria Chevalier.
After taking her grandparents’ cases upstairs, Penny joined them and Ingrid in the kitchen where coffee and fresh patisseries were being enjoyed. ‘Where’s Dad?’
‘He’ll be back soon. Just popped into the village for something,’ Ingrid said. ‘Before I forget, will you tell Sasha about postponing the champagne tea, please.’
‘I’ll wander down after coffee and one of these delicious almond slices,’ Penny said. ‘I know the four of you will have a lot of catching up to do.’
Peter was back before Penny made her excuses and left to find Sasha.
Walking down towards the cottage, Penny saw Sasha disappearing in the direction of the old chapel. She called out, ‘Sasha, wait for me,’ as she started to follow her.
Sasha turned at the sound of her voice; she stopped when she saw Penny and waited for her. ‘Hi. Something wrong?’
Penny shook her head. ‘Not really, but my grandparents have arrived and with Eliza refusing outright to come for the champagne tea, Mum thought we’d be better off postponing it for a few more days.’
‘I’m not surprised Eliza said no, to be honest,’ Sasha said. ‘I don’t suppose another few days’ delay will make any difference after all this time.’ She turned to carry on walking. ‘Freddie’s working in the chapel and I thought I’d have a quick look.’
‘Mind if I join you? I’d like another look inside.’
‘I heard all about the trouble with your ex turning up, but how was your actual date with Lucas?’ Sasha asked.
‘Good – no, better than that. It was lovely,’ Penny said, feeling herself starting to blush. ‘I’ve finally admitted to myself how much I like Lucas and he seems to like me too. We’re going to take things slowly, but as we’re both staying in France now, we have time.’
‘What about his job?’
‘He’s looking for a change of direction,’ Penny said, feeling it wasn’t her place to tell anyone about why Lucas had quit his job.
The door of the chapel was ajar when they reached it and Sasha pushed it open. Freddie was on his knees repairing the wooden steps leading to the round granite pulpit and raised his hand in greeting. The rostrum was attached to the wall at the side of the undressed altar table with its cross on the stones behind. An uneven slate floor, several memorial plaques screwed in place on otherwise plain white surfaces and two small beautiful, stained-glass windows across from the pulpit were the only decorative items.
‘It’s strange how these small, empty churches or chapels always give off an air of peace – the feeling that somehow, bygone worshippers’ hymns are still lingering in the air,’ Sasha said quietly. ‘Even when they’ve not been used for years.’
She wandered over to look at the memorial plaques. Names of local men lost in both world wars, buried who knew where, but remembered on the estate. She glanced at the pulpit. There must have been countless weddings and christenings performed here during happier times. She hoped – as Freddie said they were – that Peter and Ingrid were indeed planning to use the renovated chapel to hold marriage blessings for couples after the legal civil ceremony in the mairie . As unadorned as the building was, the peaceful ambiance within its walls would be perfect for such functions.
A fleeting vision of herself standing in front of the altar, her bridegroom at her side as the priest blessed their marriage, brought a smile to her face. She could only hope that perhaps one day the dream would come true.