Chapter 38
Guy went down to the kitchen that afternoon to prep for the last evening meal of the retreat, with his thoughts a jumble of wishes and hopes for the future and some regrets for the past. Thoughts about his unknown nephew – when would he get to meet him?
Thoughts about Liz – would she stay or go?
Thoughts about Villa Celestia – was it truly time for a change or should he stay with the status quo?
Sad and regretful thoughts about Jake too surfed around in his brain, but nothing could be done to change the fact that his brother had died years ago.
The only thing possible was to honour his memory and ensure his son knew how much he’d been loved and missed.
And there were thoughts of Joan too – she was now part of his family as the mother of his nephew.
Smothering a sigh, Guy started to season the duck breasts he planned to use that evening.
He had to wait for Leon to contact him, had to wait for Liz’s decision.
The one thing he had total control over was Villa Celestia – only he could make the decision to close permanently, re-open or sell up.
He looked around the kitchen. He remembered painstakingly going over and over the design layout, making sure everything was in the right place, that there was room for half a dozen people to move around and work in comfortably.
So many meals cooked here, so many compliments paid.
Of course there had been stressful moments when things had burnt, or sauces wouldn’t thicken, or the sous-chef phoned in sick, leaving them short-handed, these things happened in every professional kitchen from time to time.
Guy had hated working for temperamental chefs and from the beginning had vowed he wouldn’t be like that.
His kitchen would be a happy workplace for everyone.
Something he gave himself a pat on the back for achieving.
But was it time for a change of direction?
Time to move? Time to move back to England even?
* * *
Everybody had dressed up for the last dinner and instead of walking into town for aperitifs, they all gathered in the garden at seven-thirty.
Sandy had organised a small bar and Romain was there, ready to hand out the champagne cocktails and the blini canapés that Guy had decided on in place of a formal starter.
Sandy’s Chihuahua Twiggy was wandering around being adored and cuddled by everyone.
Zoe came out at eight o’clock to ask everyone to please take a seat at the table.
When everyone was seated, Guy, wearing his chef’s whites but not his toque hat, and Zoe brought out their meals and wished everyone ‘Bon appétit’.
Murmurs of appreciation were soon being muttered up and down the table as everyone enjoyed their meal.
As Zoe came out to clear their plates, she said, ‘Tonight we have two desserts, tiramisu and Crepe Suzette. Chef says you are welcome to have both, but as Crepe Suzette will be flamed at the table in Grand Marnier he would like to know how many of you intend to enjoy one.’ Zoe burst out laughing as seven hands shot up.
When, minutes later, Guy appeared, wearing his chef’s hat this time, wheeled the trolley with the pancakes, the orange zest, the butter, the bottle of Grand Marnier, the shallow pan to flambé the pancakes in and finally the small gas ring to heat it all up, everyone clapped.
While he was melting sugar and butter and adding orange zest and generally getting ready to flambé the first pancakes, Zoe placed the individual tiramisus on the table, before returning with a bowl of vanilla ice cream.
Once flambéed, the Crepe Suzettes were placed on plates with a generous scoop of ice cream and passed down the table.
‘Thank you, Guy, for all the great food you have given us in the last fortnight and particularly for this wonderful meal to end the retreat,’ Sandy said.
‘Thanks to Zoe too for helping to look after us so well. I think they both deserve a round of applause.’ Which everyone duly gave them.
Guy accepted the chef’s kisses everyone blew his way before wheeling the trolley back into the kitchen.
After Sandy’s short speech, Liz got up and went to fetch the flowers and chocolates which she and Isobel had organised for Sandy.
‘Sandy, these are from all of us to say thank you for a great retreat and I know we will all be hoping that you quickly find a new venue and can continue offering your fantastic retreats so we writers can come and be inspired to write more books.’
‘I need to say something,’ Becky said. ‘I haven’t been the most diligent at producing words, although I have produced more than some of you expected,’ and she gave them a cheeky grin.
‘I don’t think I’m cut out to be a novelist, but I have enjoyed meeting you all and I hope you will let me stay in the WhatsApp group and keep in touch – even follow me on social media. See what you are missing not being me!’
‘Definitely,’ everyone said, as the throaty noise of a car exhaust drawing up on the drive virtually drowned out her words.
‘Oh, Xavier is here. I have to go.’ And Becky went round frantically hugging everyone goodbye.
‘What make of car does Xavier have?’ Romain asked casually.
‘I’m not good with car names,’ Becky said. ‘Maserati? It’s got a three-pronged thingy on the radiator if that helps.’
‘The three-pronged thingy is a trident badge and the car is definitely a Maserati,’ Romain said slowly as he walked towards the front door to take a proper look at the car. Guy looked across at him and Romain jerked his head in the direction he was going, so Guy strolled over to join him.
Becky nodded. ‘Yeah, that’s the name. I knew it was a funny one.
It’s a lovely car and so luxurious inside – and it converts to an open-top sports car too.
I just wish he’d let me drive it, but Xavier just shakes his head at me every time I ask.
Thinks I might crash it. He seems to forget I do have a licence. And I am a good driver.’
Sandy pulled Becky in for a hug. ‘Becky, you are priceless. I hope you at least enjoyed your stay here in Villa Celestia. I for one have enjoyed meeting you. Do keep in touch – maybe the two of us could have lunch one day?’
‘I’d like that very much,’ Becky said. ‘And you could come to Beaulieu-sur-mer as well.’
The whole group stood and waited as Xavier gallantly opened the door for Becky to get in the car before getting in himself. Xavier tooted the horn and with a gentle swish over the gravel the car moved down the drive and Becky gave them all a happy goodbye wave.
As everyone drifted away to their own rooms, Guy whispered in Liz’s ear, ‘Please go on up to the roof and wait for me. Sandy and Romain want to have a quick word with me. I need to talk to them too.’
* * *
‘We just wanted to say a big thank you for letting us use Villa Celestia for this retreat,’ Sandy said. ‘We know it was a hard decision for you at the time. It’s been a perfect venue in so many ways that have contributed to the success of the fortnight. We can’t thank you enough.’
Guy gave a small shrug. ‘I owe you big time. If it wasn’t for you guilt-tripping me into opening the villa to help you out, I would never have known about Jake’s son, or met Liz.
I thank you on both accounts. There is one thing I want to talk to you two about as well.
You told me how the retreat will be the last for a while. Is that still the case?’
‘Sadly, yes,’ Romain said. ‘Suitable villas are already fully booked for the summer.’
Guy took a deep breath.
‘My life is going to change in so many ways in the coming months – I haven’t figured out any of the details yet, but it is definitely going to change.
If you would like to use the villa for the other retreats you have booked so you can keep the business going until you find another permanent venue, I am more than happy for you to do so. ’
Both Romain and Sandy looked at him, stunned, for a few seconds. ‘You’re not re-opening the restaurant?’ Sandy said, a wobble in her voice.
Guy shook his head. ‘No. I have things to do. Places to go.’
‘That’s a very generous offer and one that we accept immediately and gratefully,’ Romain said. ‘We’ll get a proper contract drawn up, so it’s all legal.’
‘You’ll need to find a new chef, though, as I probably won’t be around all the time. Zoe has been a real godsend this last fortnight and if you want to offer her some extra weeks during the summer, I’m sure she’d be delighted,’ Guy said.