‘Room for a few more?’ I ask Fabien, as we run back to the truck having packed up all of the little family’s belongings. JB’s elderly parents are delighted to get their home back but they, JB and Stephanie promise to visit each other and not to be strangers. They thank me for keeping an eye on the three of them and for finding JB work. Looks like bridges have been built here too. They have a grandson and an almost-daughter-in-law as well as their son now.
Fabien looks as ecstatic as I feel to have got his workmate back as he ushers the dogs into the truck, while Stephanie and Tomas tuck in beside them. Tomas is delighted to be reunited with Ralph, who pants happily that his friend is back.
At Le Petit Mas, the wind begins to subside and behind it the sun shines through the clouds, pushing August aside as September rolls in. We unload the family’s belongings into the gypsy caravan. I offer them rooms in the house, now Rhi seems to be spending her time with Henri: I’m presuming her room is free. But once again they refuse: they prefer the caravan. I’m sure one day they’ll need something bigger but for now that space is theirs and they love it. The three of them together.
Finally Fabien and I walk back to his truck, unspoken words filling the air. The wind settles and I hold my face to the sun, feeling its strength. It’s time I told Fabien everything, this time without interruption. I open my eyes and look at him.
‘Fabien, about last night at the riverside clearing,’ I say, wanting him to understand I never meant to hurt him.
‘Oui,’ he says sadly.
‘Oh, my God! The riverside – dinner! I completely forgot. We have to get there! There will be people waiting to eat!’
‘Get in the truck,’ he says.
‘No, it’s quicker down the river path,’ I say. ‘I’ll run.’
‘I’ll get the food and meet you there,’ he says.
‘Stephanie!’ I call.
‘Oui?’
‘Service! At the riverside!’
‘Merde!’ She runs out of the copse of trees.
‘Language, Stephanie,’ I say, and feel everything slip back into place, as if I am a big sister, an aunt, a friend – who knows what I am? It feels very special. It doesn’t need a label. It just feels like family.
When we see the riverside clearing, we slow down, Stephanie and I. JB has gone with Fabien. We’re out of breath when we come to a complete standstill. The fairy lights are on, the firepit is lit.
Cora is standing there, as are her two friends, but they’re not beside her. There’s a big crowd and, if I’m not mistaken, the mayor is there too. The hatch is open and there is Henri, his hair tied back in its usual ponytail, with Rhi. Everyone is welcoming him back and shaking his hand. Alain and Lou are laying out the cutlery and paper plates. Lavender, in washed tin cans on the makeshift tables, fills the warm evening air with its scent.
Stephanie and I walk up to Cora side by side.
‘You won’t stop this happening, Cora,’ I say, as she stares at me.
‘We all have a right to be here, no matter how much or little money we have,’ says Stephanie, and I’m filled with pride again at the confident young woman she has become.
‘I know.’ Cora drops her head. ‘I’m sorry. I’ve come to help out, if you’ll have me. My way of making amends, so to speak.’
‘We welcome everybody here, Cora, rich or poor. We are a community. We have to look out for each other,’ says the mayor, unwittingly using her own words back at her.
‘We all deserve a second chance, don’t we, Del?’ says Stephanie, nudging me.
I have a lot to learn from this young woman. ‘We do, Stephanie.’ I smile, and out of the corner of my eye I see Fabien appearing from the other side of the clearing wearing his leather jacket, with JB and Tomas behind him. I just wish there was a way that he and I could have another chance, but I know we can’t. I drag my eyes from him and back to Cora.
‘We all deserve a second chance, Cora.’
‘But not a third!’ Stephanie and I say together.
Her friend takes her off to start washing up, bickering about who washes and who dries.
‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ says the mayor, ‘in English so all our guests and residents can understand. I am happy to be here tonight, welcoming you all back to the riverside clearing and the wonderful meal that awaits you.’ There is a cheer. ‘And more than that, to welcome back the man who has been here for you all and set this up at the very beginning. Henri!’ Everyone gives a loud cheer and claps.
Henri holds up a hand and quietens the crowd. ‘Merci, merci,’ he says. ‘But I am in fact here for only one night. After tonight, I shall be hanging up my apron.’ The crowd is very quiet now. ‘But, don’t worry, I am hoping to find a replacement before I go. I want to leave you in good hands, the best in fact.’ He looks at me and raises an eyebrow. Everyone turns to me. I’m very nervous. Could I say yes and stay here, knowing that Fabien and I are never going to be together? I’m not sure I could, seeing him every day and knowing I’m not with him. Watching him meet someone new and bring up a family with her. I want to say yes to Henri, but my heart is torn in two. I would love to run the bistro. I wonder what my younger self would have said? I look at Stephanie, who smiles, and I know exactly what my younger self would have said: ‘Of course!’
But I’m not my younger self, and I don’t want to stand in the way of Fabien moving on in his own life, in his own town. What should I do?
‘This is your home as much as anyone else’s,’ Henri says, as if reading my thoughts. ‘Will you be my business partner?’
Could I walk out on all this now? Could I walk out on Stephanie and Tomas? I don’t think so.
I nod, and the crowd cheers.
‘Now, à table, dinner is served,’ says Henri, one last time, and rings a little brass bell by the counter. The diners slowly move towards the serving hatch. And Fabien comes to me. Is he upset that I’ve decided to stay? Cross that he will have to see me, after I’ve hurt him?
‘Del!’ It’s Lou and Alain, hand in hand. She’s waving at me. She barely has a scrap of makeup on, her face tanned, freckled and happy.
‘Del!’
Fabien stops in his tracks. I just hope he’ll still be there when I’ve spoken to Lou. I owe him an apology and must tell him I’ll try to stay out of his way.
‘You two look happy!’ I smile.
‘We are!’ Lou says, and Alain’s beautiful smooth face beams too. ‘Alain and I, we’re … Well, I’m going to stay on in France.’
‘Oh, that’s lovely news,’ I say and hug her.
‘Not with you. We’re going to get somewhere of our own. And we’ll look for a business. A small house with some land, so we can grow things and sell at market.’
For a moment I’m dumbstruck. Lou, my friend who hasn’t committed to any relationship since her husband died and who hasn’t worked in years, let alone ever got her hands really dirty, is going to look for a smallholding to buy with Alain.
‘Aren’t you pleased?’ She seems crestfallen.
‘Pleased? I’m stunned and delighted!’ I throw my arms around her again and the fragrant-smelling Alain.
‘He’s loved working on the lavender plants so much that we want to do something ourselves,’ she says. I can’t believe how much my dear friend has changed in such a short time. ‘We’ll be neighbours. We don’t want to go too far,’ she says.
‘And you’re welcome to stay on at Le Petit Mas until you’re sorted,’ I say. ‘In the barn or the house, whichever suits.’
Alain smiles. ‘I’d like that. In the house would be very acceptable, thank you,’ he says.
He’s finally able to move back into a bed, alongside Lou, and they’re making a new life for themselves, putting the hurt of the past behind them.
‘Now go and eat,’ I tell them. ‘If I know Henri, there’ll be plenty.’
Fabien is talking to the mayor. He sees me and beckons for me to join him on the river path once more. I nod. And as I do, Carine is there. ‘Chérie!’ she says. ‘I’ve found you at last!’
‘Carine!’ I look for Fabien, who shakes his head and laughs.
‘I wanted to tell you. I have made my decision,’ she says quietly, against the hubbub of contented diners, cicadas, and the frogs in the distance. The sun is setting, silhouetting the cypress, pine and oak around us as summer draws to its end. The bats are flying in and out of the trees across the water, catching their evening meal of midges. I hold my breath.
‘I’m keeping the baby, Del,’ she says, and I let out a sigh of relief. ‘I saw Stephanie with Tomas, how much she loves him, and him her.’
‘I’m so pleased. For what it’s worth I think it’s the right decision,’ I say.
‘I know how lucky I am to have this chance. You made me understand that,’ she says. ‘It may not happen again.’
I nod.
‘And the mayor?’ I raise my eyebrows.
‘We’ve talked. We are going to end our affair. I’ve been wrong. I thought it put everything in its place, but it doesn’t. It just messes everything up for everybody.’
‘Oh!’
‘He’s going to support me and the baby. But we will keep it to ourselves and he will spend more time with his wife from now on.’
Not an ideal situation, but better than the alternative.
‘Maybe it’s time I let a little disorganization into my life for once,’ she says, putting a hand to her stomach. ‘Oh, and look at this!’ She thrusts her phone at me. ‘I had a new instruction today!’ I look down at the photograph of a house for sale. Cora’s house. ‘She’s going home,’ says Carine. I smile and kiss her on both cheeks, then turn to see if Fabien is still waiting for me. But he isn’t. He’s gone.