Erica turned the counter fan on to full blast and stood in front of it. Even if the air it wafted towards her was warm and failed to cool her, it was a relief to feel the draught of air. At least she had a glass of ice-cold apple juice to drink, with more in the fridge.
The Cupboard Under the Stairs had been busy all day but now, late afternoon, the shop was empty and Erica was able to catch up on some paperwork. Paperwork that included a scrappy piece of paper with the words Coast/Country and Questions written across the top.
She’d taken GeeGee’s advice and tried to write things down objectively, but so far nothing had helped to make up her mind. There were so many unknowns hidden behind every question. It was like trying to second-guess whether it was going to rain and spoil the fireworks on July 14th. Only far more important and life-changing.
Top of the list was the question: sell the house or stay put? The answer here was easy – the house was already on the market. She and Cammie needed a new home for their new lives without Pascal.
The next question: where to buy? Coast or move to the country? Amelia had persuaded her to take a look at the Bertrands’ house in the village before she left, but Erica hadn’t been convinced it was for her and Cammie. It didn’t sing out to her in a ‘if you buy me you’ll be happy here’ way. She knew it was silly to expect a building to throw out welcoming vibes at her but she couldn’t imagine living in that house or even up in the village if she was honest.
Her life revolved around Cammie and the shop down here – what would it revolve around in a village up in the back country? Cammie would go to school, make friends and have the cousins to play with. Whereas she would have no purpose to her life. Amelia would no doubt get her involved in local things but she loved the shop and would miss the buzz it gave her.
Erica sighed. She needed to move on and selling the house was a part of that. GeeGee had said she was bringing a couple at the weekend for their first viewing, so things were beginning to happen there. Once sold, she could buy the kind of house she and Pascal had always dreamt of owning. The fact he wouldn’t be there to share it with her made it bittersweet but she’d keep looking for the house of their dreams. Selling the house was one thing; selling the shop was something else. She couldn’t envisage herself ever doing that.
Sipping her cold drink she realised decisions were being made. Keeping the shop meant she was definitely staying on the coast.
She turned to welcome a customer. ‘Bonjour. Can I help you? Rosie,’ she said surprised. ‘How lovely to see you.’
‘Hi. I can’t think why but this is the first time I’ve been in here,’ Rosie said looking around. ‘It’s amazing – a real treasure trove. I need to find a belated wedding present for my ex-boss.’
‘Have a browse, see if there’s anything that takes your fancy,’ Erica said. ‘Give me a shout if you need help.’
‘It’s so difficult finding something for a couple who already have everything,’ Rosie said ten minutes later as she approached the counter clutching a coffee-table-size book, Belles Demeures en Riviera. ‘I know William loves learning about the history of the Côte d’Azur. I think he and Caroline will be fascinated by the black and white photographs in here. So many of these lovely villas have been pulled down.’
‘It’s a beautiful book,’ Erica agreed. ‘Do you want to write an inscription in it before I gift-wrap it?’
Rosie shook her head. ‘No, thanks.’ She picked a Congratulations card out of the rack. ‘I’ll write my message on this for you to slip inside.’
While Erica wrapped the book, Rosie fell in love with a silk scarf hanging on the vintage rail. Colourful peacocks and green leaves on a yellowy background.
‘I’m going to treat myself to this,’ she said, handing over her card. ‘Your shop is far too tempting.’
After Rosie left, promising to return now she’d discovered the shop, Erica looked at her list again before screwing it up and throwing it into the wastepaper basket. The most important decision had been made. Stay on the coast. Fingers crossed everything else would fall into place behind it.