Epilogue MEGAN #2
We were both so nervous at first when we met for coffee and I could tell he was carefully navigating the best way to talk about Dad without upsetting me whilst also struggling to talk about him anyway.
I did my best to put him at ease, but I’m not great at doing that for others in normal circumstances, let alone these ones.
With a bit of reassurance, he opened up a little and as the conversation rolled on, both of us grew in confidence: I got better at asking questions and he got better at answering them.
I found myself smiling with gratitude as Mathieu talked about Dad, his affection obvious in the tender way he spoke about him.
I got to listen to stories about my father that I never knew, told by someone who loved him.
It made me feel closer to him, hearing about him through Mathieu.
We both cried and he held my hand and I thanked him for caring about Dad so much and he thanked me for arranging our meeting.
I would never know, he said, how much it meant.
‘I want you to be part of my life,’ I said to him before we parted, which sounded like a quote from a cheesy movie, but is also how I felt. ‘I think Dad would have liked that.’
‘I think so, too,’ he smiled.
When I left to return to my blue-shuttered house, it seemed like something had lifted.
The truth is, I’ve had to navigate a lot of change and there’s been a few tough and stressful moments, but it’s also been the best year of my life.
I have no idea what lies ahead, but I’ve risen to enough challenges to know that I can face whatever comes my way and make it out the other side stronger and more resilient than before.
Now that I’ve been lucky enough to place myself in Nico’s orbit, I will work my arse off to stay there forever, even if his laidback attitude sometimes bugs the hell out of me.
I still find myself falling more in love with him every day.
I like to think that Dad loved this place so much, not just because he felt himself when he was out here, but also because he saw how happy I was here, too. It didn’t make much sense that he’d buy his dream house at the end of his life. But it does make sense that he’d buy me mine.
‘How’s your book coming along?’ I ask Mum as she stops to sit down on the sand.
‘It’s at the copyediting stage now,’ she informs me. ‘I’ve read it so many times that I’m almost certain it’s a load of bollocks.’
I burst out laughing. ‘Come on, Mum, you know as well as I do it’s brilliant. How did Brandon describe it? Your best work since the Heartlodge series, I believe he said.’
‘Not quite the achievement it sounds like. The rest of my canon is hardly notable.’
‘Just enjoy it, Mum,’ I sigh. ‘It’s going to be a huge hit when it publishes next spring. I know it. And hopefully it will bring lots of new business to the chateau that inspired the story in the first place.’ I hesitate. ‘How are you feeling? In yourself, I mean.’
‘Good,’ she says warmly. ‘I’ve had a couple of bad days, but the lifestyle here is so healthy, it’s been helping, I think. The food is delicious and I’ve been doing lots of gentle walking, not to mention my new surfing skills.’
Chuckling, I fold my arms. ‘Make sure you’re taking care of yourself, okay?’
‘Darling, I’m having the time of my life.’
‘Good.’ I check the time. ‘Hey, I better go. Marisa is flying in soon and I have a few things to get sorted before she arrives.’
‘Send her and the family my love,’ Mum gushes, ‘and I want lots of pictures of her little ones running about the place! And I will be thinking of you this weekend. I have no doubt the ball will be an even bigger success than last year.’
‘I hope so,’ I say, running a hand through my hair. ‘Thanks, Mum.’
‘How’s the raft looking?’
‘Solid. Don’t worry, the team won’t let you down.’
‘I should hope not!’ she cries. ‘I didn’t spend a fortune on sending you all those outlandish pirate costumes for nothing.’
‘Oh yeah, thanks for that,’ I say drily. ‘The boys were all very excited about them. The feathered plumes in the hats are particularly preposterous.’
‘Unpardonably large,’ she says, winking at me.
I laugh, shaking my head. ‘All right, I’d better go. Enjoy your adventures and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.’
‘Believe me, I’m doing plenty of things you wouldn’t do. All in the name of research, of course. I don’t think I’ve ever had more wild fun in my entire life. Romantically, I mean. Do you know what I mean?’
‘Yes, god, Mum, gross!’ I make a face. ‘You really don’t need to spell it out for me. Just . . . make good choices.’
‘Never!’
I roll my eyes. ‘Okay, bye then.’
‘Goodbye, darling, love you!’
We hang up and I jump to my feet, messaging Nico to let him know that I’ll be with him soon before I get ready to leave the house and head to the chateau.
As I climb into my little car that I bought second-hand from one of Mathieu’s friends a couple of months ago, I put my liked songs playlist on shuffle and turn up the volume.
Sunglasses on, I set off, driving beneath clear blue skies and dazzling sunshine, admiring the colourful decorations adorning the streets of this charming town that hail the start of the festival.
As I turn from the main road onto the long driveway, I smile to myself as one of Dad’s favourite songs comes on, filling the car with its stirring melody and lyrics.
My heart lifts. Even without him here, he still finds a way to make my world better.
My grin widens as I drive through the vineyards towards the chateau, knowing Nico will be waiting there for me, like always.
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