An Outsider Inside by R.J. Samuel

Author:R.J. Samuel [Samuel, R.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-07-05T06:00:00+00:00

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“You created a wonderful place here.” I recline in my chair and sigh, content.

The restaurant has turned over twice at least, except ours, Isabella’s, and a table of eight, a family having dinner together, their French loud and cheerful.

Frank says. “I’m proud of it.”

Chloe says, “Henri said it used to be rundown.”

Frank tugs at his beard. “Yes. He was overjoyed when we bought the buildings. So was the commune. The town council were pleased too, and the Mayor did what he could to sweeten the deal. This building had been sitting unused for two years though it was a successful enough business before. The whole complex had so much potential and I’m proud we developed it in a manner that works for everyone.”

I say, “How did you discover it?”

Frank swallows a mouthful of lemonade. The red liquid glints in the wavering flame of a candle resting in a tin holder. “I owned a house in Paris. A holiday rental. Henri was the broker who handled our insurance needs there. He’s from the village, born and bred here. His family used to own the place many years ago, the restaurant and bar. He was upset it was sitting empty. Told me I’d be better off to sell the property there and buy here.”

Zara says, “Ah, so you got your partner, this David guy to invest?”

He nods. “We were already partners in the rental property. It made sense.”

I say, “So did you guys get to use the rental? For holidays and stuff?”

Frank is nudging an asparagus spear on a tour of his plate. “I moved over to stay in one floor of the building and they came over every once in a while for the weekend.”

“They? David and Lana?” Chloe reaches across me for the salt. I get the scent of her perfume, light and floral. She’s using the same fragrance and it spurs a flash of memory, of her spraying it on my wrists, laughing when I crinkled my nose. I’d been wearing a dress, a lace black one, and we were preparing for a Christmas party at her workplace. We attended as friends.

Frank says, “Yes. David and Lana.”

Zara says, “That must be so nice. Doctors don’t get paid as well in Ireland as they do in other countries, but they certainly get more than most other professions. What did you do before you retired? Do I remember Chloe mentioning you were a surgeon in England?”

Frank nods. “Worked in general surgery for decades. I retired early and moved to Paris immediately before the boom, lucky me.”

I say, “It was lucky too to have David as your partner. In college in Galway many Indian medical and science students were unpleasantly surprised when they discovered I was doing an Arts degree.”

Frank’s fingers desert the asparagus and lightly tap on the red and white checked tablecloth. “I found that too. There were a heap of Indian doctors in London. That’s how I met David. He and his brother, Cherian, both were at college there. They grew up in Saudi Arabia.

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