‘CLOTILDE. Have you a minute to spend with me?’
‘Come in. What can I do for you, Henriette?’
‘First let me congratulate you on your coming wedding. Madame LeBlanc told me this wonderful news and everyone is so happy for you both. I’ve just spoken with Vivienne who mentioned that this school will be closing at the end of the year. I asked her if there were any sets of watercolours available and if so, could I have one. She was in agreement.’
‘I have several of these just sitting in the storeroom because I don’t use them with my botanical art classes. I can even give you two sets if you’d like, with an extra brush for each.’
‘I’m really grateful for this and in exchange I’d like to offer you two more lessons. I will meet you on Wednesdays after school.’
‘Henriette, have you time now to take a quick look at these two drawings. I feel confident about layering and blending several colours.’
‘Clotilde, these are beautiful. You have become so skilful at working with soft pastels. One day you could become a genuine botanical illustrator.’
‘There is one final technique I need to acquire. I can’t use a pastel to add a detail or do fine shading, as the line is too coarse.’
‘What you want for fine work is a hard pastel pencil. You can sharpen this and get a very delicate line that can be left as it is, or blended in. I have several of these pencils in brown, dark green and a deep red colour. You can have two of each in exchange for the painting sets. Never use black as it creates too high a contrast. Brown is more subtle.’
‘I’ll take up your offer of two classes as I may have an occasion to use my botanical drawing skills with Jacques’ future work. We’ll visit the store room now to collect your water colour sets and brushes. Near the end of the year many items will have to be moved to the new School of Saint Joan. I’ve been told to take another full box of pastels and a good supply of drawing paper for myself and I plan to do just that. Oh, Henriette, my life will change completely after this year is over. I’m looking forward so much to my marriage and to a happy future with Jacques.’
‘You will both have a wonderful life together,’ Henriette replied, putting her arms around Clotilde and hugging her.
At last, Easter Sunday arrived. During the week before the wedding, Clotilde was free from teaching as all school children celebrated an Easter holiday. They would not be returning again for two full weeks. She and Yvonne put the final touches to the new home, bringing in food supplies and their clothing. All was in readiness for the newlyweds.
The nuptial mass would be celebrated on Saturday morning. All the invitations had been sent and Clotilde envisaged a very full church. On Friday afternoon she took her wedding dress and veil out of the trousseau, shook out a few wrinkles and hung the dress on a satin padded hanger. This, together with a small bottle of scented hair wash, was a surprise gift from Madame LeBlanc. She filled a bath and washed her hair, drying it in the sun and brushing it until it shone. Tomorrow morning Blandine and Yvonne would arrive to dress her hair and help her into her gown and veil. All three of them would walk to the church where Jacques would meet her at the church door and present her with the wedding bouquet. He wanted to arrange this himself and would select only the most beautiful seasonal flowers. She wouldn’t sleep well tonight as her excitement grew by the minute.
A morning filled with sunlight greeted Clotilde as she awoke. Today would be her wedding day. After a light breakfast, her last meal in this little cottage, she waited for Blandine and Yvonne. Soon they arrived, she was dressed and then her hair was styled. Finally they turned her toward her mirror. She looked lovely in her bridal dress.
‘You are a beautiful bride,’ they both told her. Then off they walked to the Church of Saint Joan where Jacques, looking handsome in a new suit and shirt, was waiting. The church was filled with well-wishers.
‘Come my beautiful bride, Clotilde. Everyone awaits us.’ He kissed her and pressed an exquisite bouquet of scented flowers into her hands. Slowly they entered the church, took part in the mass and exchanged their vows. ‘With Clotilde at my side I can achieve anything,’ Jacques thought to himself. And Clotilde happily mused, ‘Jacques, you have given me your love and you have also given me a name. Before today I was only Clotilde, nothing more, but now I am Madame Vallon.’
Tables and benches had been set up under the trees in the Government garden by Clotilde’s pupils. All were thanked for making their wedding day so special, as everyone feasted and toasted the bride and groom. Later Jacques and Clotilde finally made their way toward their new home. At last they could celebrate their first night together on this, the happiest day of their lives.