Chapter 42
NEW YEAR’S EVE
‘Happy New Year, Mom,’ Evie said, video-calling her as she prepared to meet Rudi for the party that evening. ‘How you doing?’
‘I’m fine, and Granny Charlotte is as well as can be expected,’ Daisy answered. ‘She actually remembered me and you on my last visit. Have you finished GeeGee’s journal yet?’
‘Almost, think there’s another three or four entries. Have you ever read it?’
‘No. But I’d like to when you come home.’
‘I was expecting almost a travel memoir when I started it, and it is sort of like that in the beginning, but it’s also become quite personal. I’m finding it a little disconcerting. It’s certainly not what I expected.’
‘There’s no rule that says you have to finish it,’ Daisy said gently. ‘You can close it and put it back in the envelope.’
‘I’m going to finish it. I’m hoping that there will be answers to some of the things she’s mentioned earlier,’ Evie said. ‘Right, I’m off to see in the New Year with Rudi – so I will see you next year. Love you, Mom.’
* * *
Marc walked up to No. 5 to accompany Mel down to Hervé’s for New Year’s Eve, simply so he could have the pleasure of her company all to himself before the party. He glanced at her as they walked. ‘You’re quiet.’
‘Sorry. There’s always a lot to think about at this time of year, isn’t there?’ Mel said. ‘And this year, that’s an understatement for me. So many decisions to make.’
‘Somebody famous once said, “Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans”. I think that about sums it up.’
‘Trouble is, I wasn’t making any plans when Geoff walked out. But I’ve definitely got to start making some plans now,’ Mel said. ‘Beginning with what I do when I get home at the end of February.’
‘I’d like you to plan to turn round and come straight back to me, please,’ Marc said, his voice quiet.
Mel caught her breath. ‘Are you serious?’
Marc nodded. ‘Very.’
‘I can’t. It’s impossible. I do plan to come back in the near future because I do love it down here, but Brexit and visas now exist.’
‘Well, that’s the first plan to go at the top of the list. Sort out a long-stay visa for as soon as possible. Next?’
‘I hope it’s as easy as you make it sound,’ Mel laughed. ‘Enough about me. Let’s talk about your plans. Are you looking forward to starting your new job?’
Marc pulled a face. ‘It’s a bit daunting, but yes, it will be good to get a work routine established.’
‘Would you like to come for supper after your first day?’
‘Yes, I would, thank you.’
‘And the house?’ Mel said. ‘You must be excited about that.’
‘More than excited. That’s something else you can plan. Come back to help me, I think you love the place as much as I do. And I know secretly you’ll already have some really good creative ideas for one or two of the rooms.’
Mel laughed. ‘Maybe I do, but you won’t necessarily agree with them.’
‘I shall enjoy the discussions. Right, this is Hervé’s place.’
Mel looked around surprised. Thinking and talking as they walked down, she hadn’t been paying attention to the direction they were walking, other than that they’d walked past the market and down another couple of streets.
‘This is lovely. I’ve not seen this part of old Antibes before.
’ She looked down the calm, empty alley they were standing in with its flowers and shrubs, each terraced house lovingly cared for.
‘It’s Le Safranier district, a free commune of Antibes with its own mayor,’ Marc replied. ‘The commune tries to keep its traditions and strengthen the ties among its inhabitants. There is a real community here.’ He pressed the bell on the green wooden door they were standing in front of.
It was Brigitte who answered. ‘Hi, come on in. Hervé’s doing fishy things in the kitchen. I, on the other hand, am in charge of the champagne.’
‘Of course you are,’ Marc said.
Glasses of champagne in hand, they joined Hervé in the kitchen diner. ‘Happy New Year,’ they said as they all clinked glasses.
‘Anyone making New Year resolutions?’ Hervé asked, as he placed the platter of seafood in the middle of the table and urged everyone to sit.
‘I gave up making New Year resolutions a long time ago – they never seemed to last beyond twelfth night,’ Mel admitted. ‘But I already know my life is going to change early in the new year, so I am determined the changes are going to be as beneficial to me as they can be.’
‘I think my moving into the apartment is going to take all of my resolve,’ Brigitte said, glancing at Mel. ‘Marc told you my news?’
‘Yes. I gather your mother is not happy about it?’
‘Definitely not happy,’ Brigitte said. ‘Hervé and Marc keep telling me she’ll come round, but they don’t know her like I do,’ she shrugged.
‘I’ve found in the past that ignoring her tends to make her more obstinate in refusing to move from her point of view.
’ She took a sip of her drink. ‘I’m truly looking forward to having an independent life again. ’
After a relaxed and enjoyable supper, the four of them left Hervé’s and wandered down to the front, where they would be able to see all the fireworks around the coast. Brigitte, walking and chatting to Mel, watched Marc and Hervé in front of them, seemingly having a serious conversation about something.
Hervé was probably quizzing Marc about things to do with getting her apartment ready.
When the four of them were standing side by side on the harbour, she looked at Hervé. ‘You two were having a serious conversation back there. What was that all about?’
It was Marc who answered. ‘That’s for us to know and you never to find out.’
Brigitte poked her tongue out childishly at him. Definitely about her apartment. They hadn’t better be planning to paint the walls black or anything as a joke.
They’d wandered up to the ramparts near Le Nomade when the Mairie clock in the distance behind them started to boom out the midnight hour and the fireworks began.
Marc turned to Mel. ‘Happy New Year, may it be the first of many we celebrate together,’ he said, taking her into his arms to give her a gentle, lingering kiss. A kiss that turned passionate as Mel, standing enveloped in his arms, found herself willingly responding to him.