Chapter 40
Saturday was bright and golden as the joyful wedding procession walked to the town hall, Gemma in white, with Shirl and Joel on either side.
Shirl’s face shone with pride as she carried Macey Roux, who gazed around with fascinated eyes.
Bastien was a few steps behind with Gisele, who clung to his arm, flanked by Manu and Théo.
The streets were lined with people who had come out to cheer the happy couple.
Maxine and J-F were further back in the line of guests, with Fliss and Jo.
Maxine had chosen to wear the silver silk dress that Fliss had forced her to buy at Le Phare first thing; Jo was in her yellow one and Fliss in the blue one.
Maxine loved how they looked like a trio, sisters, matrons of honour.
J-F wore a smart suit; he looked handsome but darkly brooding, although Maxine had asked him if he was all right and he’d insisted that he was fine.
He was clearly going to find a wedding difficult.
They stood in rows in the office in the town hall, facing the bespectacled mayor, who was wearing a red, blue and white sash over his suit.
Gemma took her place on Bastien’s left-hand side.
Maxine couldn’t take her eyes from the happy couple.
Bastien wore a dusky pink suit; he stood tall, elegant and confident.
Gemma wore a white silk dress in flouncy tulle, held together as if by magic, although Shirl had told her friends that she was praying the body tape would stay in place.
Macey was in Shirl’s arms, trying to tear off the coronet of flowers on her head, reaching for her mother. Gemma turned round and hugged her daughter. Bastien smoothed the child’s hair and placed a kiss on her brow, then Shirl took Macey back.
The mayor began to speak in French, telling Gemma and Bastien that they were entering into a legally binding union, asking each if they were in agreement. He smiled, offering his congratulations and good wishes for the couple’s future together.
Bastien and Gemma began their declaration of intent, their wish to marry, their commitment to each other, and Maxine was impressed by Gemma’s fluent French – she’d clearly been practising. Bastien spoke quietly: he promised Gemma everlasting loyalty for all of his life.
Maxine felt a hand reach for hers, fingers closing round tightly.
She glanced towards J-F. His face was composed, but there were tears on his cheeks. She squeezed his hand.
The rings were exchanged in silence, Gemma’s finger then Bastien’s, as everyone watched.
The mayor declared them married and as the couple shared a kiss, Maxine saw J-F swallow hard and wipe his eyes.
It was time for Gemma, Bastien and their witnesses to sign the marriage register.
Maxine applauded along with everyone else. She turned to J-F. ‘Are you OK?’
He smiled. ‘We’re here to celebrate love. To remember how precious it is.’
Maxine glanced around. Shirl was crying and smiling at the same time. Gisele was sobbing in Théo’s arms; his face was streaked with tears. Jo was blubbing into her handkerchief, blowing her nose.
‘Bravo, what a lovely ceremony,’ Fliss said, clapping her hands. ‘Both my marriages cost the earth but neither of them had an ounce of romance.’
The mayor made the closing remarks of congratulation, then Manu announced that it was time for the newly-weds and their guests to make their way to Le Shack, where everything was prepared for feasting and celebration. Macey rushed towards Gemma and shouted, ‘Maman, Maman…’
Shirl burst into tears all over again – it was the first time the child had addressed her mother in French.
J-F held out an arm. ‘Shall we go, Max? The champagne’s ready.’
Later that afternoon, the dinner and the delicacies were eaten and Gisele’s croquembouche cake was demolished.
There was laughter and love in the warm Breton air, the breathy blessings of the waves as the tide rolled in.
J-F handed Maxine another tall champagne glass, took one for himself and said, ‘Shall we sit on the sea wall?’
Maxine glanced towards the ocean, glittering diamonds dancing in the sunlight. ‘I’d like that.’
They strolled together arm in arm, past Fliss, who was dancing with Théo, Gisele with Manu, Shirl and Joel locked in each other’s arms. Jo was with Bérnard, who was holding her too tightly, trying to smooch with bent legs so they were an equal height.
Maxine winked as she passed, a signal that she’d rescue her soon.
Jo grinned back and Maxine thought she looked truly happy. She had good reason to be.
Bastien and Gemma were hugging Macey between them, kissing each other, then kissing their daughter. In a corner, Béa was embracing Louis, her arms around his neck. He waved in greeting as they passed and Béa called, ‘I’m not smoking and drinking. I’m taking my medication…’
‘That’s good to hear.’ Maxine waved back and walked onwards, towards the beach.
They sat on the sea wall, her silk dress billowing in the breeze. J-F took her hand. ‘You look beautiful.’
‘You look pretty good yourself.’ She smiled. ‘How was the wedding? Not too hard to take?’
‘You mean did I think about my marriage to Noémie? At first I did. Then I told myself that the occasion wasn’t about me. It was about love – all the brides and grooms in the world, and for me, for you, anyone who has ever felt it.’
‘That’s true.’ Maxine gazed out across the sand. The sea billowed forward and again she was reminded of a lover’s promise. She said, ‘I’m going home tomorrow.’
‘I know.’
‘I rang Terry this morning. He’s moved out of my flat.’
‘Is that good?’
‘Yes. He’s gone back to his house. Jo and he are going to give it another try.’
‘Will they stay together?’
‘I think so,’ Maxine said. ‘She won’t make the same mistake.’
J-F agreed. ‘We must be kind to ourselves.’
‘Jo’s already packed her case – she can’t wait. But she wants to bring Terry here for a holiday soon.’
‘And you?’ J-F asked. ‘Will you come back here, to me?’
‘Of course. But—’ Maxine took his hand. It was time for her to say what had been on her mind for a while. And what was in her heart. ‘I was thinking – why don’t you come to London?’
‘When?’
‘Tomorrow. Get a ticket. Bring the Harley. Stay with me.’
J-F was perplexed. ‘You’re inviting me to London?’
‘That would be our first stop.’
‘First stop? I don’t understand.’
‘Do you remember what we said? You always wanted to go to London. Well, let’s go. Then we can go somewhere else. Wherever you like. We could take off to the USA. Ride along the Historic Route 66.’
J-F was smiling. ‘We talked about it when we were having lunch at that place on the beach.’
‘I know. We imagined how it would be, different food, new people, new places. Let’s not imagine. Let’s do it. We could drive across the USA and eat real jambalaya.’
‘I remember saying that.’ J-F laughed. ‘And clam chowder.’
‘Gumbo.’
‘Grits – whatever they are.’
‘Key lime pie.’
‘Can we?’ J-F asked. ‘Can we go travelling together? Have an adventure?’
‘We can.’ Maxine brought his hand to her lips, feeling his cold fingers against the warmth of her mouth. ‘We’ll go to Bangkok, Kerala, South America. Anywhere. Wherever we like.’
‘My canoe business is in safe hands.’ J-F’s eyes shone. ‘Why not? Let’s go.’
‘Will it make you happy, J-F?’
‘To travel? To be with you?’ He was momentarily lost for words. Then his smile broadened and Maxine thought she’d never seen him look so happy. ‘To live again? That would be the best thing in the world.’
‘Then we’ll do it.’ Maxine lifted her glass. The sunlight reflected in the liquid for a moment, a rainbow shaft in the bubbles. ‘Let’s drink to new places and new experiences. To tomorrow, whatever it may bring.’
J-F clinked his glass against Maxine’s, then his lips brushed hers. His voice was barely audible above the sea’s breath. ‘To us, Max. And to our future. To whoever we’ll become.’