Chapter 47
FORTY-SEVEN
LUCY
Lucy was in a daze, her heart racing with anger. She wandered through Cordeval, barely seeing the buildings, or the happy couples and families enjoying an evening walk. She only vaguely registered the sunset that turned the scraps of summer cloud a vivid pink.
A grotty little dump… Hicksville-sur-Mer… all those hurtful words about places that had meant so much to her family.
But, as darkness fell and she arrived at the beach under a silvery full moon and a sky full of stars, she felt calm.
She’d felt as if her life had been torn apart when she’d discovered Andrew’s affair, but he’d actually done them both a favour. They weren’t suited to each other, and it was better that they’d discovered that now than after they’d got married.
She paused and looked out across the beach and saw two figures silhouetted in the moonlight; a man with tousled hair and his large dog. As Lucy watched, Galette turned and saw her. He gave a welcoming bark and bounded across the sand, ignoring Sébastien’s efforts to call him back.
Lucy ran towards the dog and fussed him. ‘Evening, Galette. Are you enjoying your walk?’ she asked fondly, and smiled at Sébastien. He waved and kicked his feet in the surf.
‘Fancy a paddle?’ he teased. ‘It’s a nice night for it!’
Lucy laughed. ‘Yeah, okay!’ She toed off her trainers, picked them up by their laces and went down to meet Sébastien at the water’s edge. The sea was chilly as it lapped over her feet, and her toes sank in the wet sand.
‘I’m sorry about earlier,’ she said. ‘I had no idea my ex would just appear out of nowhere like that.’
Sébastien shrugged one shoulder. ‘He’s been busy since he left,’ he said and chuckled. ‘Jojo’s got its first one-star review. Didn’t like our coffee.’ Then he gave Lucy a playful nudge. ‘Typical English.’
Lucy nudged him back, giggling. ‘He doesn’t like anything unless it’s flashy and expensive. And so healthy, it’s just boring.’
She turned to look up at Sébastien, a lock of his hair stirred by the evening breeze, his dark eyes gleaming.
‘He wasn’t the right man for me,’ she went on. ‘I nearly found out too late. He thought I’d forgive him and go back to London and carry on as if nothing had ever happened, but that’s all over now. I’m staying here.’
As if he understood, Galette gave an excited bark. As he did, Sébastien stooped to pick up a stone, which he skimmed out across the surface of the sea.
‘Anouk’ll be happy to hear that. Granny too; they’re your cheerleaders, you know.’ He ruffled one hand back through his hair. ‘And I suppose I can put up with you as a neighbour.’
‘I hope so!’ Lucy chuckled. ‘Are we still… we were going to go on a date, weren’t we? I promise you Andrew won’t keep popping up like a jack-in-a-box!’
Sébastien smiled and admitted, ‘I wasn’t sure you’d still want to. If you need some space after all of that, I’ll still be over the road whenever you fancy doing something together.’ He picked up another stone and handed it to her.
Lucy accepted the stone and closed her hand round it. It was flat and cool, a perfect stone for skimming. But she wanted to keep it, so that every time she saw it she’d look back and remember this moment exactly as it was.
‘I’d really love that,’ she replied. ‘I want to move on, and I have in so many ways. But I don’t want to jump straight into a relationship; I’d only wreck it if I’m not ready.
I’d still love to spend time with you, though.
Just hang out, eat your amazing food, and discover Cordeval with you.
And whatever else might happen…’ She smiled gently at him.
Sébastien smiled back. ‘Suits me,’ he said. ‘I think you and Cordeval are going to get along.’