Chapter Seventeen
CHAPTER
SEVENTEEN
It was early on a Tuesday morning a couple of weeks later when Felicity came running up to Violet’s flat with a bundle of letters.
‘Look what the postman has brought you!’ she said excitedly.
Violet could tell that Felicity was as keen to know what the letters said as she was herself.
‘Do you want to come in? You can make us tea while I read them. Then you can.’
Felicity immediately looked abashed. ‘Not if they’re private!’
‘They’re from Jenny in France. I don’t think she’ll be saying anything private, but if she does, I’ll say so. I hope they will tell us more than Jenny’s phone call – though it was wonderful to hear she was safe!’
Soon they were sitting on the sofa together, Violet in her dressing gown, both with mugs of tea.
Violet slit open the envelope that held all the letters with Athene’s letter opener. The first one said: Dearest Vi, I’m so sorry I can’t write much. I’m just so exhausted. I’ve lost a lot of weight. While that’s supposed to make us very happy, it just makes me feel weak and feeble. I’m sleeping a lot. Alexandra says I’m to stay with them until I’m stronger. They are being so kind. More soon! Lots of love, Jenny
‘There’s nothing private in there,’ said Violet and handed the letter to Felicity.
The next letter was from Alexandra. Dear Violet, I hope you don’t mind us hanging on to Jenny for a bit. She seems utterly exhausted and very thin. I don’t think that horrible man fed her except a
few vegetables. David says he’s got to make a trip
to England before Christmas so he can bring her
then. In the meantime, we’re enjoying trying to fatten her up and make her rest. When she’s not doing that, she and my husband, Antoine, are discussing soil structures and how to get more goodness back into the land. My twin sons adore her, as does my stepdaughter, Stéphie. I expect my stepson would too except he’s away at college studying music. I hope one day you can come and visit us. I know from Félicité what a good friend you’ve been to
her, so it would be good to be able to show you
what very rural Provencal life is like. A far cry from Cheyne Walk, that’s for sure! But we all love it, of course. Very best wishes, Alexandra
‘That’s from Alexandra,’ said Violet, handing Felicity the letter. ‘She does sound nice!’
The third letter was from David. Dearest Vi, I know we’ve only met once, but that’s how Jenny refers to you, and I know how kind you’ve been to Felicity. Rescuing Jenny was a bit more of a mission than it should have been really. Finding the farm was fun but getting through the door was tricky. The farmer had two of those slavering guard dogs farmers sometimes go in for. Luckily, I was prepared for this and had my pockets full of ham scraps. My suit will never be the same again, but it’s a small price to pay. Jenny is such a lovely person. Everyone here really loves her. Kind regards, David
Finally, there was a much longer letter from Jenny. Dearest Vi, Now I have a bit more energy, I can give you more details about the rescue, as we’re all now calling it. David came with Antoine’s lawyer, Maxime, who is desperately handsome but I fear is what we might call ‘a confirmed bachelor’. But like David (they share an apartment), he is extremely kind. He wore a suit and carried a sheaf of papers to make himself look official. Of course I only found out why he’d dressed like that later. Stéphie is convinced I was being held prisoner ever since I mentioned that the door to my room was locked. I locked it! Pascal used to drink a lot in the evenings and felt I should keep him company – and not just for conversation!’
Reading this made Violet shudder. It took Maxime and David a while to convince Pascal that he had to tell them how many people were living in the house and that he had to produce them. I think they said they were from the censor’s office. I’m not even sure there is such a thing, but Pascal didn’t know that. Anyway, I was produced and the moment he saw me, David took my hand and led me to the car which was parked a little way away. I should tell you that the track to the farm was in very bad condition. I had complained about it, but Pascal wanted my money to repair it. Ah! I’m being summoned for another meal. I’m being so well fed I will be as fat as butter before I get home. Talking of which, David has promised to get me to you before Christmas. He has a last market where he often cleans up (he says) and will bring me with him when he goes to England. Have I said how very kind everyone is here? But I am still so looking forward to coming home to England, and seeing you. Lots of love, Jenny