Chapter 29
A few hours later, Maxine stood in the kitchen at Rose Falaise, a paintbrush in her hand.
The old cabinets had been exchanged for wooden ones and a shiny range cooker was in pride of place.
She and Fliss had been at it for three hours, putting the finishing touches to a bare wall and a doorframe.
Manu and Théo were tiling around the cooker, placing pretty Breton tiles carefully against the wall.
‘I enjoyed the Caribbean night. I wasn’t expecting to dance so much,’ Théo said. ‘The food wasn’t like anything I’ve had before.’
‘It was great,’ Manu agreed. ‘The ackee was a little like the oeufs brouillés Fliss makes.’
‘There’s nothing wrong with my scrambled eggs,’ Fliss laughed. ‘Anyway, I ate far too much salt fish. And because I was so thirsty, the rum punch kept flowing. You missed a great party, Max,’ she said pointedly.
‘I had some food before I left.’
‘Oh?’
‘Shrimp and callaloo.’ Maxine concentrated on her paintbrush, loaded with white. ‘And some Jamaican Sexy Juice, which was refreshing.’
‘I bet it was.’ Fliss gave a mischievous laugh. ‘Just as J-F turned up.’
‘We spent a lot of time talking.’ Maxine decided it was time to put things straight. ‘He’s grieving and vulnerable.’
‘I believe he’s been unwell,’ Manu said.
‘Poor love.’ Fliss was immediately on side. ‘I suppose I was hoping you and he might have— I’m sorry, Max – that was silly of me.’
‘Not at all. He needs a friend. I know how he feels.’ Maxine wondered if she’d said too much.
‘We should spend more time with him,’ Théo said kindly. ‘I’ll invite him for dinner when the kitchen’s finished.’
‘Right.’ Manu concentrated on fixing a tile for a moment, then he said, ‘By the way, Shirl and Joel want us to be at Le Shack for lunch. It’s almost time to pack up.’
‘Are we going to finish the leftovers?’ Fliss sounded delighted. ‘And the punch?’
‘Gemma and Bastien want to talk about the wedding,’ Manu explained.
‘You must come, Max,’ Fliss said.
‘When are they getting married?’ Maxine asked.
‘At the end of the month. Saturday thirtieth,’ Théo said. ‘So less than two weeks now.’
‘I think Gemma and Bastien want to go through final arrangements,’ Manu said.
‘Oh? Well, maybe I shouldn’t be there.’ Maxine didn’t want to intrude.
‘You won’t be in the way, darling.’ Fliss read her reaction. ‘Shirl will be glad to see you, you know she will. When are you back in England?’ Fliss asked.
‘My ticket’s booked for 31 May.’ Maxine wasn’t looking forward to being back in London. ‘A friend’s flat-sitting – which reminds me, I need to send a few texts.’
‘It’s almost one o’clock,’ Fliss said. ‘We’ll get off to Le Shack when you’ve finished on your phone, shall we?’
‘Right.’ Maxine took her phone to the doorstep and sat down, looking towards the beach.
Firstly, she messaged Jo, just to say that she hoped everything was going well. Then she messaged Terry with warm wishes, telling him not to worry that he’d given Russell her address – it wasn’t his fault.
A text to Gráinne wished her and Dylan and Cian a lovely weekend. Finally, she messaged J-F.
Je te souhaite une bonne journée.
A simple message, have a nice day, was enough to show him that he was in her thoughts.
She was about to message a few other people when a reply came back from Jo.
Hope you’re having a nice time. France sounds wonderful. Catch up soon. xx
Maxine was glad that Jo was feeling more positive. Hopefully she and Terry would make up. Then all would be well.
Fliss appeared at the door. ‘Shall we go?’
‘I’m ready when you are,’ Maxine said.
Manu and Théo stood behind her. Théo locked the door and they walked down the path. Fliss said, ‘I’m going to try some of the Jamaican Sexy Juice today.’
‘Then God help us all.’ Théo teased. ‘Fliss, you’re already a terrible woman. Imagine how unstoppable you’ll be on Sexy Juice.’
Fliss took his arm. ‘You’ll never find out, darling.’ Then she took Manu’s. ‘Although I know Manu has a pretty good idea already.’
‘That’s all in the past,’ Manu said with a smile. ‘Now all I want is lunch.’
Maxine knew Fliss and Manu had been lovers. But now everyone was friends. There was no pressure, no tension, just light-heartedness and warmth.
Simple friendship.
As they strolled down towards the path, Maxine decided that was probably the safest, nicest relationship she could have with anyone.
The long table was spread with dishes of food beneath a canopy, facing the beach.
The sea breeze was light and salty as everyone helped themselves, filling their plates.
Gemma and Bastien sat together, Gisele on his side, Shirl on hers, feeding Macey, who was in her highchair, her chubby hand stretched out for more food.
Opposite, Joel sat next to Maxine, Théo, Fliss, then Manu.
True to her word, Fliss was guzzling Jamaican Sexy Juice.
‘So – will this make me appear sexier to other people, or will it make me feel sexy?’ Fliss wanted to know.
‘I asked my mother that years ago, when I was a teenager,’ Shirl said.
‘And what did she say?’ Fliss asked.
‘She said both. Then she told me not to worry about the name because the taste is so good.’
‘Everything’s glorious.’ Maxine was digging into the shrimps again.
‘I grew up on it,’ Gemma explained.
‘I’ll make some for your wedding buffet,’ Joel said. ‘There’ll be plenty of French dishes. And English ones too.’
Gemma turned to Maxine. ‘You’ll come, won’t you? It’s just a short civil ceremony in the town hall and then back here.’
‘Thank you – I’d love to,’ Maxine said.
‘We want our celebration to include all the people who make us happy.’ Bastien took Gemma’s hand. ‘We’d be glad if you could be there.’
‘Indeed, we would.’ Shirl spooned stew into Macey’s mouth, then she handed her a piece of bread, which Macey gnawed hungrily.
‘So – we wanted to talk.’ Bastien poured water into glasses. ‘About something Gemma and I were discussing. It’s been on our minds a lot and yesterday we spoke to the mayor, who’ll do our wedding, and he agreed that it was fine.’
‘So we just need to ask you now,’ Gemma said. ‘To see if you’ll agree, Mum.’
‘Agree to what?’ Shirl looked worried.
‘So – it’s traditional for the bride’s father to lead her in the procession,’ Bastien said.
‘But obviously, we haven’t seen my father for a long time.’ Gemma didn’t seem to care much. ‘And anyway, I want this to be about family so – Mum and Joel, I want you to walk with me.’
‘At the front?’ Shirl put her hands to her face. ‘Oh, I’d love that so much. And – can I carry Macey Roux?’
‘Yes, I’ve got her this lovely, embroidered flower-girl dress in tulle.’ Gemma clasped her hands. ‘And, Gisele, as Bastien’s mum, you’ll be walking behind with him but…’ She turned to Bastien. ‘You ask.’
‘We wondered, Manu and Théo, if you’d both walk alongside Maman.’ Bastien’s eyes shone. ‘It would mean a lot to me to have you both there.’
Manu and Théo exchanged glances. ‘We’d be honoured,’ Manu said.
Théo nodded, swallowing hard as if he was too emotional to speak, then he said, ‘Thank you.’
Gisele looked at her fingers. ‘I’d like that too.’
Fliss gave Maxine a small nudge and raised an eyebrow, a signal that she’d explain later. Joel poured rum punch into glasses.
Théo raised his glass. ‘Tous nos v?ux de bonheur.’
‘To the happy couple,’ Shirl agreed.
And everyone chorused, ‘Yec’hed mat!’
Later that afternoon, Maxine, Fliss and Shirl were lying on the beach, bare legs stretched in the sun.
Macey was dozing in her buggy, a parasol keeping the sun’s rays from her face.
A bottle of water had slipped from her hands, and Shirl moved it to the safety of a basket.
Gemma, Bastien, Manu and Théo were playing with a Frisbee, throwing it from one to the other.
Gisele had gone home for a nap and Joel was busy at Le Shack making food for the evening meal.
He was expecting a full house and was determined to perfect his recipes.
‘Should we join in?’ Maxine watched Gemma skilfully hurl the Frisbee high and Manu leap athletically to catch it.
‘We’ll let them have a few minutes – then we’ll show them how it’s done,’ Fliss said.
‘I’m still full of salt fish.’ Shirl closed her eyes.
‘I danced until my feet ached last night,’ Fliss said.
Shirl glanced at Maxine. ‘You left early.’
Fliss explained. ‘Max was talking to J-F Kastell. He was feeling low.’
‘He should have come in,’ Shirl protested. ‘I never knew anyone who didn’t feel better after salt fish and ackee.’
Maxine murmured, ‘He’s finding it tough.’
‘Who wouldn’t?’ Shirl said. ‘His wife wasn’t very old.’
Fliss pushed her sunglasses back on her head, allowing the sunlight to filter through her lashes. ‘It makes you think.’
‘But if you can make him feel better about himself, that’s wonderful,’ Shirl told Maxine. ‘Some people have bad luck.’
‘They do,’ Maxine said quietly.
Shirl sighed. ‘I want this wedding to be a big celebration for us all. My Gemma’s getting married.’
‘How nice for Bastien to ask Théo and Manu to walk with Gisele in the procession.’ Fliss seemed to notice Maxine’s quizzical expression. ‘The Barron brothers have always been there for Bastien. Like family.’
‘That’s such a sweet gesture,’ Maxine said.
‘Bastien’s a sweet man.’ Fliss was watching him leap into the air. ‘And so good to look at.’
‘Fliss, will you never learn?’ Shirl laughed. ‘Maxine – yuh cyaan teach ole dawg new trick.’
‘One of Shirl’s mum’s sayings, I’m guessing,’ Fliss said. ‘Mind you – did you see Béa and Louis dancing together last night? He was all over her like a rash.’
‘That’s the magic of Caribbean music.’ Shirl stretched her limbs in the sunlight.
‘I hope so, for her sake,’ Maxine said.
‘What do you mean?’ Shirl asked.
‘She’s an emotional roller coaster,’ Fliss said. ‘One minute she’s in love with Louis and next thing, she wants to leave him.’ Fliss frowned. ‘What do you think’s going on?’
‘Some couples like a tempestuous relationship,’ Shirl said. ‘My second husband was like that. My mother called it Chakka-chakka. Unstable.…’
‘I’m worried.’ Maxine was thoughtful. ‘Béa cooks his dinner and changes her hair to please him, then she wants to throw him out.’
‘Maybe it’s the menopause,’ Fliss said grimly. ‘I remember it well.’
‘Maybe she should get a job?’ Shirl suggested. ‘Being by herself all day is no good.’
‘Louis won’t let her work.’ Fliss rolled onto her front and pushed her hair from her eyes. ‘He wants her to stay at home and keep house. I mean – that idea went out with the ark.’
‘What about the bruises she has? Last time I saw her there was a huge one on her hand,’ Maxine said.
‘What?’ Shirl rolled her eyes. ‘You think he beats her?’
‘I don’t know but…’ Fliss looked anxious. ‘We should all look out for her. She’s clearly not happy. Maybe we should form a crones’ circle?’
‘Whatever’s that?’ Shirl sounded appalled.
Fliss laughed. ‘You’ve heard of a knitting circle, or a red tent? Well, maybe we older ladies should form our own tight-knit group to keep an eye on her?’
‘You mean we watch Béa like hawks?’ Shirl said.
‘And then if there’s a real problem, we offer to help?’ Maxine asked.
‘Exactly. If Louis is hurting her, we’ll find out. But…’ an indentation appeared between Fliss’s eyes ‘…last night they were dancing together, all loved up. We can’t jump to wrong conclusions. But then again, we can’t let her suffer.’
‘Crones’ circle,’ Shirl whispered conspiratorially. ‘We’ll watch her, then we’ll come together to help.’
‘Definitely.’ Fliss stood up, shaking sand from her clothes. ‘But right now I’m going to play Frisbee.’ She rushed towards the group who were flinging the Frisbee high and yelled, ‘Come on, Théo, you big stud muffin. Let’s see what you’ve got.’