chapter 33

Nicole set off for a walk on Monday morning, in need of a mental and emotional clear-out. As she strode along the cliff path towards Pleinmont she reviewed the events of the past few days. On the plus side was the engagement of Adrian and Hélène, something that had pleased everyone. Or nearly everyone. Hélène had heard from Adrian that Karen wasn’t exactly ecstatic and no-one knew if she’d come to the wedding. Another plus was her relationship with Ben. Just thinking about it brought her out in goose bumps. As much as she’d love to live with him, it wasn’t possible until her divorce came through. She didn’t want any chance of him being cited for adultery. Much better to wait. Though hard.

As she picked some wild flowers, the minuses popped up. The number one being her grandmother’s health. It felt like a black cloud hanging over her and she couldn’t shake it off. At the moment Hélène didn’t know, but Ben would be round that afternoon and then…She sighed. Hélène’s bubble of joy would be burst. The other minus was her divorce and that she really needed to return to the UK soon. Not only did she need to sort out her belongings and arrange for their transportation to Guernsey, but she wanted to meet with her solicitor. She wanted to be free as soon as possible and, all going smoothly, that could be as soon as three months. Afraid that Tom would change his mind, she wanted it done and dusted before he had time to reconsider.

Unthinkingly tearing the petals apart, Nicole worried about being away with Eve so ill. If only she knew nothing would happen while she was in the UK! Nicole stopped for a moment to stare out to sea, focusing on the outline of Jersey emerging from the early morning sea mist. It was where her life had begun, although created here in Guernsey. And now her biological parents were shortly to be married. Both their lives and her own were being irrevocably changed. For the better, admittedly, but not without pain. She thought of her adoptive parents and how difficult it must be to share her with Hélène and Adrian. She’d be living in the same island and they could see her as much as they wanted, while her “proper” parents were a thousand miles away. Oh my God! Perhaps her parents could be here for the wedding!

Wondering if her walk had cleared her thoughts or caused more confusion, Nicole turned back. Lots to organise.

 

Ben arrived mid-afternoon and Hélène took him in to see the still bedridden Eve.

Nicole boiled the kettle and set chocolate cake on the trolley. It seemed important that the normal routine was followed. Hélène joined her, worry etched into her forehead.

‘Thank you, Nicole. We’ll have it outside, I think. I’ll take Mother’s in when Ben’s finished examining her.’

Ten minutes later they heard a door open and shut and Nicole made the tea while Hélène led Ben outside. As Nicole pushed the trolley onto the terrace she heard Hélène asking Ben about Eve.

Ben and Nicole exchanged glances before he turned towards Hélène, reaching for her hand.

‘There’s no easy way to say this, I’m afraid. But your mother is worse than we thought. Her heart is weakening and, I’m sorry, there’s nothing we can do.’

Hélène’s hand flew to her mouth.

‘Oh, no! But what about the operation?’

Ben shook his head.

‘It’s too late. Even if she agreed to it, which I doubt, we couldn’t risk it. Her heart’s too weak.’

Nicole poured the tea while Hélène sat stunned.

‘How…how long has she got?’ she whispered.

‘A matter of weeks. I can make her comfortable and she won’t be in any pain.’

Nicole put her arms around Hélène, who finally let go the tears. Ben, tactfully, grabbed his cup and walked away down the garden.

‘I’m so, so sorry.’

Hélène’s tears slowed and she wiped her face. Looking at Nicole with reddened eyes, she said, ‘You already knew, didn’t you?’

‘Only since Saturday, when Grandmother came home. We didn’t want to spoil…’

‘That was kind of you. It must have been hard not saying anything.’ She reached for her tea, sipping quickly.

‘It’s a shock, we thought she’d got so much longer…’ Hélène managed a small smile. ‘We must get the wedding arranged as soon as we can.’

‘Yes, she would like that, she’s so happy for you.’ Nicole picked up her cup. ‘Grandmother knows she hasn’t long. She…she told me she’d known for a while. And I think she’s ready.’

Her mother nodded, still dabbing at her eyes.

‘Mother’s always been strong. I’ve never known her to be afraid of anything. Oh! Her tea! I completely forgot.’

‘Don’t worry, I’ll take it. You relax a minute.’

While Nicole went off, Hélène sat nursing her drink, awash with emotion. Somehow she’d always assumed that her mother would go on forever. Even with a weakened heart she seemed invincible. God knew they’d had their differences, but these past few weeks she’d felt closer to her mother than she ever had. Ever since Nicole had erupted into their lives, demolishing the wall of resentment that lay between them. Hélène sent up a small prayer of thanks for her daughter. She would be a great comfort when…when the inevitable happened. And her beloved Adrian, of course. Oh, they had to be married soon!

Nicole returned, giving Ben the signal to re-join them.

‘Feeling calmer?’ Ben asked Hélène.

‘Yes, thank you. Mm, Ben, is Mother going to be bed-bound now? Or could she be pushed in a wheelchair?’

‘I think she’ll spend more time in bed, for sure. But there’s no reason why she couldn’t sit in a wheelchair occasionally. She’d need lifting in and out, that’s all.’

Hélène nodded. Then she looked at Nicole and Ben’s enquiring faces.

‘I was thinking of the wedding. I desperately want her to be there with us, so if she can be in a wheelchair that’d be perfect.’

‘Have you thought of where you’d get married?’ Nicole asked.

‘I’d like it to be at Torteval Church and then come back here for the reception. And the church has a wheelchair ramp. We weren’t planning on anything grand anyway, so if we have to…to be quick then we can still do that.’ Hélène topped up her tea.

‘I’d better be going, I’ve more patients to see, Hélène. I’ll call in tomorrow afternoon.’

Hélène thanked Ben and Nicole walked him to his car.

As he kissed her, she said, ‘I need to go to England for a couple of days to see my solicitor and pack my stuff in the house. Should I go soon?’

‘There’s no imminent danger, but if you go this week that might be better. Then you needn’t worry so much. I can give her drugs to boost her heart but they only work short term. And the wedding should take place within the month, to be on the safe side.’ He stroked her hair and lifted up her chin. ‘Will you need to see Tom? I’m worried how he would react.’

‘No, I don’t think so. I’ll arrange to visit the house when he’s at work. And he made it clear he didn’t want us to meet.’ She sighed. ‘I’ll make an appointment with my solicitor and book my flights. Oh, I’ll miss you!’

‘And I you. How about I take you out for dinner tomorrow night? And you can stay over, if you’re good,’ he grinned at her.

‘Oh, I’ll be good!’

 

***

Hélène phoned Adrian with the news and he came straight round. Nicole disappeared to her room to give them space. They sat out on the terrace discussing what to do.

‘I’ve been in to see Mother and told her that I know. She seems calm and accepting, so that’s something.’ She stroked her engagement ring. ‘Mother’s made it clear she wants to be at our wedding, even if it means arriving on a stretcher!’ She couldn’t resist a smile at the image of her mother being wheeled into Saint Philippe’s on a gurney. ‘Not sure the vicar would be impressed, so we’ll aim for a wheelchair. Do you mind very much having the wedding soon, Adrian?’

He wrapped his arms round her.

‘I’d be very happy to make you my wife tomorrow if it were possible. We’ll need a licence so I’ll talk to the vicar today. It’s not as if we’d planned to invite people from off the island, so it’ll be fine. Everyone’s already here.’

Hélène had a thought. Nicole’s adoptive parents! Would they want to come to her wedding? She knew they were planning a visit in August so…

‘What about Mary and Ian Le Clerq? Should we ask them?’

‘Of course! The more the merrier! And we owe them a debt of gratitude for how they’ve taken care of our – their – daughter.’ He stroked her face. ‘Are you worried about what they’ll think about you? For giving her up for adoption?’

Hélène had thought of little else since she knew their visit was imminent. Would they judge her or accept that she had made the decision with the best of intentions, even though her heart was breaking?

She nodded.

‘Well, I think you’ve nothing to worry about. From what Nicole’s told me, they sound very nice, and very grateful. Thanks to your sacrifice they had the child they yearned for so, in my book, they owe you. But they could be critical of me, the adulterous husband,’ he frowned.

‘You’re more than making up for that now. So don’t worry!’ Hélène patted his arm. ‘Seems both of us are a bit scared of the Le Clerqs. It’s like being back at school!’

They both laughed, the hovering black cloud receding a little. After spending a few minutes discussing who needed to do what, Adrian left to see the vicar.

 

The next morning Nicole fixed an appointment with her solicitor for that Thursday and booked her flights. Leaving on Wednesday mid-morning, she would return early Friday evening. She felt this gave her plenty of time to sort and pack her personal possessions. She’d emailed Tom the short list of furniture she wanted and he’d agreed to her selection. She didn’t want much, preferring a fresh start, devoid of memories. Hélène was pressing her to stay at La Folie until after her divorce.

‘After we’re married Adrian and I will live here while Mother’s still…with us.’ Hélène bit her lips. ‘Then we’ll move to his house. I’ll put this place on the market but I can’t think there’ll be people queuing up to buy. You could stay here while you see how it goes with Ben, you’ll have your own space when you want it. Although I imagine you’ll spend more time at his house,’ she said, raising her eyebrows.

Nicole’s cheeks warmed.

‘That’s kind of you, Hélène. I had planned to rent somewhere so I’d be happy to pay the running costs…’

Hélène shook her head.

‘No, I wouldn’t hear of it. And Adrian agrees with me, it’s the least we can do to provide a roof over your head until your life settles down. The only downside is that you’ll have a bit of a trek to work every day. So, bearing that in mind, the sooner you and Ben get together properly, the better. It’d be much quicker from Town to Bulwer Avenue!’

‘Amen to that!’ Nicole giggled.

 

Nicole was to store her possessions at La Folie, making it easier for her to hang on to items of sentimental value and the odd bits of furniture. She’d surprised herself by how much she did want, but over the years she’d amassed an eclectic collection of items; prints and water-colours; mementoes from foreign holidays, including beautiful Murano glass and Mediterranean pottery; a small library and a couple of pieces of furniture. And the clothes! She’d had to look stylish, reflected in her extensive wardrobe. Thinking about her clothes reminded her that she needed something suitable for her imminent role of Matron of Honour. Hélène, admitting that it was a not entirely appropriate title for a soon-to-be divorcee, acting for her own never-been-married mother, but she could hardly be a bridesmaid, could she? Smiling at the thought, Nicole remembered that she’d bought a striking deep green silk dress just before the bust-up with Tom and it was still hanging, unworn, in her wardrobe. Perfect!

The date was set for Saturday 25th August, slightly over three weeks away. The vicar, admitting that they were not exactly overrun with weddings, had agreed on a one o’clock service and approved the requisite Common Licence, avoiding the need for Banns. Nicole crossed her fingers that her grandmother would live to play the part of Mother of the Bride.