A Very French Affair by Sue Roberts

Author:Sue Roberts [Roberts, Sue]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781786813626
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Twenty-Two

It’s barely a week and a half since her operation, but this morning, just after ten, Gen makes an appearance in the bakery.

‘Bonjour, Madame Genevieve. Are you here to keep an eye on us?’ Olivier beams.

‘I’m sure there’s no need for that. I have every faith that you and my niece would maintain my standards.’

Olivier lifts his strong tanned hands. ‘Completely. I’ve always been good with my hands.’ He casts a sideways grin at me and Valerie rolls her eyes.

‘How are you feeling?’ I ask.

‘Bored,’ says Gen. ‘I’ve read two novels and dozens of magazines. I have a view of the harbour every day from the balcony and I’m itching to get down there.’

‘But you must be patient. You’ve had surgery, remember,’ I say.

‘How could I forget. But really, I’m fine. My knee is still a little sore but I can barely wait to get back behind this counter. Lilian is taking me out for a drive later. There’s a little clothes boutique along the coast road with a café next door. A bit of retail therapy might do me the world of good. Besides, I think your parents might appreciate a bit of time to themselves.’

‘If you’re sure it won’t be too much for you,’ I say anxiously.

‘Well, if you want me back in hospital with mental health problems after sitting upstairs all day long going crazy then I won’t bother. But really –’ she smiles – ‘I will be fine. Just a little gentle browsing and a leisurely lunch overlooking the sea. I’m sure it will do me the world of good.’

‘OK. But make sure you take your phone and ring me if you have to.’

Maybe I’m worrying too much. Gen does seem a little more sprightly when she spends time around other people.

‘Of course. Right, I’ll be off. I’d better go and find something decent to wear. I don’t want Lilian showing me up.’

I barely slept a wink last night. I tossed and turned and imagined the meeting with André. I’m fearing the worst over having to tell him about Jake. Every year as he grew older, I had conflicting feelings of thinking Jake was doing just fine and guilt over his father not knowing of his existence. And, of course, the years rolled by so quickly. It seems that one day I was waving him off for his first day at school and in no time, he was finishing his A levels and looking at university courses. The longer something goes on, the harder it is to change things.

‘You are distracted today,’ notes Olivier as I forget to put sugar in a cake mix, thankfully remembering before it goes in the oven. ‘Are you OK?’

‘I’m fine, I just didn’t sleep too well last night, that’s all.’ I stifle a yawn.

‘You should definitely take an afternoon nap today. It’s what keeps me going. A couple of hours in the afternoon and I’m ready to go all night.’

That conjures up quite an image.

‘Maybe you’re right. I’ll head off around four, if you’re OK for the last hour or two?’ I say, turning to Valerie.

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