Chapter 35
The morning jog didn’t happen until half past twelve. Jo dragged herself out of bed at noon claiming that she looked like Shrek, but a steaming shower and a pint of water improved her no end. Suddenly, she was determined to run on the beach.
Once they reached the sand, Maxine knew it was a bad idea. Her legs felt like rubber. She ran several steps just to prove to herself that she could still move and turned back to see Jo, bending over, staring at her feet.
‘Are you going to be sick?’ Maxine shouted.
‘No, but my head’s exploding. I’m going back.’ With that, Jo turned round and plodded towards the cottage.
Maxine made a weak effort to run another ten yards, then admitted defeat. Her head had cleared; the sea breeze had blown some of the cobwebs away, so the ‘jog’ had probably been worthwhile.
Back at the cottage, Jo was making strong coffee. ‘I can’t eat.’
‘Everyone drank more than they should.’
Jo grinned. ‘It was a great crones’ circle though, Max. Fliss is a hoot – and Shirl too. And Béa’s hilarious, the way she talks about her husband.’
‘I’m not sure she’s OK. She was in tears when it was time to go home,’ Maxine said anxiously.
‘She was just drunk,’ Jo said. ‘Wasn’t she?’
‘I’ll text Fliss. I don’t understand the thing between Béa and Louis.’
‘I do.’ Jo took a bite of a stale croissant and thought better of it. ‘It’s passion.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Some people fight, then they make up. It keeps the relationship exciting.’
‘It sounds horrendous.’ Maxine pulled a face. ‘I’ve no idea what keeps a relationship exciting.’
‘But you slept with J-F.’ Jo looked a little shocked. ‘When were you going to tell me?’
‘Never,’ Maxine said honestly. ‘It was a mistake. I was plastered.’
‘Do you remember anything about it?’ Jo asked.
‘No,’ Maxine said, although she wished she could recollect more.
She wondered if it had been romantic. Special.
Something in her emotions suggested that it might have been.
‘I just like him – but it won’t happen again.
’ Jo was still staring at her, grinning, an eyebrow raised. ‘What? It won’t. Pour the coffee.’
By the time they reached Rose Falaise that evening, the air was cool, but the sky was still bright and packed with fluffy clouds.
Maxine was clutching a bottle of Crémant de Loire, but she didn’t feel like drinking.
Sparkling water would be her preferred drink tonight.
Jo seemed to have recovered fully and was looking forward to the evening.
‘I so love being with you and Fliss. And Manu and Théo. I love their house. And I love Shirl. Oh, Max – I can’t wait to meet J-F.’
Maxine had to admit to feeling slightly nervous.
She hated being under the spotlight, but she was certainly looking forward to seeing him.
She’d wondered whether to tell him their one-night stand was common knowledge now, but she thought better of it.
Earlier she’d called and he’d said he was looking forward to dinner, but there had been something odd in his tone.
Strained. She wasn’t sure why, but it had started alarm bells ringing a little.
So being cold sober was the only wise option tonight.
She’d take care of him, make sure he was OK.
Jo was talking. ‘If I was her, I’d be out of my mind with stress.’
‘Who?’ Maxine shook her thoughts away from J-F.
‘Shirl. Gemma’s getting married. I’d be having kittens, being mother of the bride. Mind you, Joel’s very laid-back. And Shirl’s down to earth.’
‘They’ve taken on extra staff at Le Shack,’ Maxine said. ‘That’ll get them through the summer.’
‘Shirl’s a gem,’ Jo murmured. ‘I heard Fliss call her Shirl the Pearl. Do you know what she said to me last night?’
‘Tell me.’
Jo laughed. ‘Mi old, but mi nuh cold.’
‘What does that mean?’
‘It means I’m not past it yet.’
‘That’s a good motto,’ Maxine agreed. They walked up the steps to Rose Falaise and into the car park. Théo, Manu and Fliss’s cars stood in a line, but there was no sign of J-F’s Harley.
‘The table’s set outside with drinks. Look at the beach – the tide’s in. It’ll be glorious.’
‘It will.’ Maxine noticed Théo waving from the doorway.
He called, ‘Joel and Shirl are here – they’ve brought some amuse-bouches. They’re getting a tour of the kitchen with Manu. Come on in.’
In the house, the new kitchen gleamed. The cream-coloured range shone; the Breton tiles sparkled.
On the newly painted wall was a photo of Maurice and Josette, arm in arm on their wedding day.
Fliss was handing out glasses of the local BZH Apéritif, made from oranges and cherries.
Jo took one and gulped a mouthful. ‘Oh, that’s so sweet and delicious. ’
‘And not very strong. We all need a night off.’ Fliss winked. ‘Shall we sit in the garden?’
‘Oh, yes.’ Maxine sipped her iced water. She wanted to be outside, listening for the thrum of J-F’s Harley.
Théo was back; he and Joel piled food on more plates and took them out. Shirl was organising wine and stirring soup. Manu, an apron over his shorts and vest, checked the steamed vegetables. ‘The meal is ready.’
‘Great,’ Maxine said. Everyone else was making their way outdoors. She checked her phone quickly for texts. Gráinne had sent an update on her love life. There were two more messages from people she knew in London, but nothing from J-F.
He was probably on the road, between Chapellin and Plouvannec. She’d try not to worry. But for some reason, her stomach was full of butterflies.
Seven diners sat outside, listening to the soothing shush of the waves below. The eighth chair was empty. Maxine nibbled a radish and gazed towards the ocean. The sun was low, the clouds tinged with pink. She turned to Théo. ‘I hope J-F’s here soon.’
‘Has anyone heard from him?’ Théo asked.
‘I visited him yesterday,’ Joel said. ‘He was working on the canoes.’
‘Did he seem OK?’ Maxine asked.
Joel shrugged his wide shoulders. ‘Maybe he was a bit quiet.’
‘I’ll ring him.’ Manu pulled out his phone and pressed a button.
‘You’re all coming on Thursday, I hope,’ Shirl said. ‘Joel and Gemma and I are throwing a pre-wedding get-together.’ She turned to Maxine. ‘You’ll come? And you, Jo?’
‘Another party? Definitely. I don’t ever want to go back to London,’ Jo said.
Manu put his phone away. ‘No answer. He must be on the way here.’
‘I hope so,’ Maxine said anxiously.
‘Shall we make a start?’ Fliss suggested, ‘The soupe à l’ail’s ready – I just have to top it with Gruyère. There’ll be loads for when J-F gets here.’
Two hours passed. They had eaten plenty, although there was food left over.
Maxine toyed with her fork, lifting a mouthful of Basque cheesecake.
She wasn’t really hungry. The empty chair was worrying her.
She wondered if J-F had been involved in a collision: it was part of her DNA now, expecting someone she cared for to have an accident.
She felt even more apprehensive. The butterflies were fluttering fast now.
Théo refilled their glasses as Jo said, ‘No, thanks, to wine. Sparkling water for me too, please. I’m turning over a new leaf after last night.’
Manu laughed. ‘Once in a while, it’s good for the soul, to drink late with friends.’
‘Good for the soul, maybe.’ Shirl glanced at Fliss. ‘But not the liver.’
Joel said something in French, then he translated a bit. ‘Last night it didn’t go well. Everyone was worried about Béa. But when we dropped her at her home, Louis was there to take care of her.’
‘She fell into his arms,’ Shirl said.
‘It troubles me,’ Fliss said. ‘One minute she loves him and the next minute she wants to leave.’
‘Do you think Louis is a control freak? Remember the burn and the bruises?’ Maxine murmured. ‘We should keep a close eye on her.’
‘We should,’ Shirl agreed. ‘They blow very hot and cold, those two.’
‘Isn’t that just how some people are when they’re in love?’ Jo asked thoughtfully.
‘Not in my experience.’ Théo raised an eyebrow. ‘My wives were more interested in my money. I picked the wrong type.’
‘I picked the right type – I just didn’t realise it.’ Jo sighed. ‘And then I messed up.’
‘Where’s your husband now?’ Manu asked.
‘In Max’s flat – he doesn’t want to come home.’ Jo reached for the wine bottle and thought the better of it.
‘Have you told him how you feel?’ Shirl asked.
‘I’ve apologised,’ Jo said.
‘No – how you feel,’ Joel repeated. ‘Perhaps if you message him now and…’
‘Pour out your heart…’ Shirl helped him.
‘Then he might realise how much you love him.’ Joel shrugged. ‘Why not try?’
Jo had her phone ready. ‘What should I put?’
‘Dearest Terry,’ Shirl suggested.
‘“Terry, you big hunk,”’ Fliss said. ‘“You’re sex on legs. Be undressed and revving up in the bedroom – I’m coming home.”’
‘No, you mustn’t write that.’ Théo hid a smile. ‘Write this. “Terry, I apologise. You’re the love of my life. There will never be anyone else for me. Please give me another chance.”’
‘I agree. That’s good,’ Manu said.
Théo was on a roll. ‘And you should write, “When I come home, let’s talk. The decision is yours. But I’ll never love another.” Write that.’
‘I’ve got it.’ Jo’s thumbs were working overtime.
‘Then tell him to be revving up in the bedroom,’ Fliss snorted.
Shirl said, ‘You never change, Fliss.’
‘Fliss is wonderful,’ Manu replied. ‘You too, Shirl.’
‘There – I’ve sent it.’ Jo took a nervous breath. ‘Do you think he’ll reply, Max?’
‘I hope so. Oh—’ Maxine got to her feet and walked away. ‘Sorry – I have a call. I’d better take it.’ She took a few more paces. ‘J-F? Where are you?’
J-F said something in French. His voice was husky.
‘I didn’t get that. What’s happened?’
‘I was going to come to supper, but something happened. I stood at the door in my jacket and I couldn’t…’ J-F sounded tired. ‘The thought of being with friends, sharing dinner. It’s so normal. But I thought to myself, I can’t do it.’
‘I could’ve come to you.’
‘Why?’
‘If you’d texted me, we could’ve had dinner somewhere else, just us two.’
There was a pause then J-F said, ‘It’s no matter. Tomorrow will be different. It’s just un mauvais moment.’
‘A blip,’ Maxine said. ‘How are you feeling now?’
‘You mean am I drunk?’ J-F laughed. ‘No, I ate a sandwich and now I’ll go to bed. I’ll be fine.’
‘Shall I come over tomorrow?’
‘I’ve promised to visit Noémie’s family in Vannes. I’m going to have dinner with them.’
‘Will you be all right?’
Maxine heard J-F take a deep breath. ‘It’ll be good to see them. Noémie’s mother will cry and show me all the photos I’ve seen before, then I’ll cry too but – yes, it’s fine.’
‘Will you call me? Oh and, J-F, there’s a party on Thursday evening at Le Shack. It’s a pre-wedding party.’
‘You’ll be there?’
‘Definitely.’
‘Will you promise to dance with me, Max?’
‘Of course I will.’
‘Then I’ll come.’ J-F sounded sad. ‘But I wanted to phone, to apologise. I’ve let you down tonight.’
‘Not at all.’
J-F managed a light laugh. ‘Before you came to Brittany, I drank too much all the time. Now it was just a – a blip, as you say. Please apologise to Manu and Théo. I’ll phone them.’
‘Sleep well – do you want me to ring you tomorrow?’
‘No. I’ll phone you.’ J-F’s voice was a whisper.
‘Do you promise?’
‘I promise. Goodnight, my friend.’
‘Goodnight.’ Maxine heard the silence at the other end. She pushed the phone into her pocket and wandered back to the table. Fliss stopped talking immediately.
‘Was that J-F?’
‘Yes.’
‘Is he all right?’ Fliss asked anxiously.
Maxine took a deep breath. ‘He sounded depressed.’
‘I could have driven over,’ Joel said.
‘But sometimes people want to be alone,’ Théo suggested.
‘Company’s always the best when you’re feeling down,’ Shirl said. ‘Or you get all those sad thoughts swirling around.’
Maxine agreed. ‘Tomorrow he’s going to Vannes to see his wife’s family.’
‘Perhaps it’ll bring him comfort,’ Manu said.
Fliss shook her head. ‘Or perhaps it’ll make him feel worse.’
‘A broken heart doesn’t mend easily.’ Jo glanced at her phone. ‘Terry’s seen my message, but he hasn’t replied.’ She looked miserable. ‘Perhaps he never will.’
‘Healing takes time.’ Maxine gazed out over the ocean thinking of J-F. The sun dipped behind the horizon. Vermillion light seeped into the sea, spattering a red path through rippling indigo.
‘My mother used to say that when things seem at their worst, that’s when they start to get better.’ Shirl was staring at the sunset too. Her voice was a low whisper. ‘Di darkes’ part a di night a when day soon light.’