chapter 42

The small group of mourners mingled in the garden, bearing glasses of sherry and plates of nibbles. Voices were hushed amongst the dark-clad men and women of a certain age. Nicole felt herself to be the oddity, a mere youngster among those who’d known her grandmother for years. Ben, mobbed by such a group, lifted his head and flashed her a quick smile. Her heart lifted at the thought that he was there for her, keeping her strong during this awful time. The funeral had brought home to her the finality of her grandmother’s death. The lowering of the coffin into the freshly dug grave brooked no going back. With a sigh, she turned to look at Hélène, pale against the navy dress and veil, clinging onto a stalwart Adrian.

Gazing at her natural parents, she felt as if she’d known them forever and not just a few months. So different to Mary and Ian, but she loved all four of them. She considered herself truly blessed to have four wonderful parents when most people have to settle for two, at best. Lost in her reverie she didn’t notice Molly and Peter approach, offering their condolences.

‘We’re both so sorry for your loss, Nicole. You’d only just got to know her, too. But hopefully you’ll have good memories of your time together,’ Molly said, lightly touching Nicole’s arm.

They chatted for a few moments before Nicole was called to be introduced to another old friend of Eve’s. Within an hour the mourners began to drift away, leaving the little family in peace with their thoughts and memories.

 

A few days later Hélène and Adrian were ready to move to his home in St Peters. Hélène had given in her notice at school, finishing at half-term. She’d been allowed compassionate leave for a week and this gave her and Nicole time to sort out a few things. They checked the items in the attic and sorted what was to be kept and what was either to be given or thrown away. They had both kept mementoes of Eve and Hélène held onto things belonging to Reg. Neither Hélène nor Nicole cared for the dark, heavy furniture in the house and agreed it could all be sold. As they sorted through Eve’s clothes and personal possessions Hélène insisted Nicole keep a couple of pretty small vases as keepsakes. The clothes were going off to the charity shops. An unhappy but necessary task, they were both relieved when, finally, the last bin bag was filled. Adrian ferried car loads of Hélène’s things to St Peters.

‘Are you sure you’ll be all right on your own? You’d be welcome to stay with us for as long…’

‘I’ll be fine, don’t worry. Most of the time I’ll be at Ben’s working on the garden and with a bit of luck he’ll be offering to feed me as payment in lieu.’

They hugged before Hélène moved off to the car, giving Adrian a chance to say goodbye.

‘Don’t forget we’re expecting you and Ben round for dinner on Sunday and you know you’re welcome to call round any time. And any problems with the house, just give me a shout.’ He threw his arms around her and kissed her cheek. Nicole felt a twinge of uncertainty about being in the vast house on her own, she would miss them both. But they were newly married and she didn’t want to play gooseberry. So, forcing a smile, she waved them off before turning back into the house.

 

A week later a letter from Nicole’s solicitor arrived. The decree nisi had been granted and in six weeks she would be single again. Letting out a cheer, she sent a text to Ben at work, saying she’d like to take him out to dinner that night. His answering text, ‘Great, thanks xx’, arrived moments later and, smiling, she rang to book a table at Le Nautique in Town. Then it was time to spend a few hours in Ben’s garden, a job she found surprisingly rewarding.

Later, as she leaned on the fork, Nicole surveyed the progress she’d made in such a short time. Where there had been bare, stony earth there were now pockets of colourful shrubs and plants luxuriating in freshly applied compost. She had splashed out on mature shrubs such as acacia, daphne, berberis and ceanothus, set amongst bamboo, fig, olive and palm trees to give the garden instant impact. Large containers of geraniums, lavender, petunias and dianthus dotted around the terrace created the desired Mediterranean look. Guernsey’s mild climate encouraged more adventurous planting than that seen anywhere but the far south in England, and Nicole was copying ideas from her parents’ Spanish garden.

After a quick shower she changed into a short strappy dress and her silver sandals, ready for the planned night out. Ben arrived home at six, wanting to know if they were celebrating something.

‘You haven’t got a buyer for the house already, have you?’ he asked, giving her a hug.

‘Nooo, although the agent says there’s a lot of interest.’ Cupping his face in her hands, she planted a lingering kiss on his lips before adding, ‘but we’re celebrating my decree nisi!’

Ben whistled.

‘That’s great! So you’re virtually a free woman again. Definitely cause for celebration. How about you join me upstairs while I, um, change?’ His wandering hands leaving her in no doubt as to his meaning, Nicole laughed and hurried up the stairs close on his heels.

Their table was the best in the restaurant; enjoying an uninterrupted view over the Victoria Marina towards Herm, Sark and beyond. Ben looked suitably impressed as they took their seats. Nicole, on a high, ordered a bottle of Veuve Clicquot as an aperitif and smiled at Ben.

‘This is my treat remember, and I can afford it. The solicitor’s letter said that Tom has agreed to pay me the £300,000 for my share of the house. I’ll receive it when the decree absolute comes through in six weeks.’

Ben cocked his head on one side, saying ‘You know, I could get used to this high life. The thought of being a gigolo is beginning to appeal to me. I might even give up work…’

She reached across the table, playfully slapping his hand.

‘No way, José! I’m not keeping anyone and you know you love your job. Just think of all those devastated patients if you dropped out. No, we’ll both work to keep boredom at bay. Although if I were to get pregnant…’ She had a sudden vision of herself holding a newborn baby and her heart flipped.

Ben must have sensed her distraction because he said, ‘Look, I think we’ve a lot to talk about, but can we order the food first because I’m starving!’

Laughing, Nicole agreed and they read through the menus, both choosing the chef’s hors d’oeuvres to start, followed by grilled lobster.

As the waiter disappeared with their order, Ben held her hand and appeared to be coming to a decision.

‘I’ve been thinking. Now you have your decree there’s no reason why you can’t move in with me. I can hardly be cited at this stage and who’s to know if Tom’s not already shacked up with someone? So, how about it?’

Nicole smiled broadly. It was what she hoped he’d say, but it still felt good to hear it.

‘Yes, that’s a great idea. I won’t have so far to travel to work for one thing.’ She grinned mischievously.

‘Mm, is that the best you can come up with?’ His eyes locked onto hers and she didn’t hesitate.

‘Apart from the fact that I love you and can’t wait to be with you. Will that do?’

Ben’s smile matched her own.

‘That’ll do nicely. Santé!’