The French Adventure Read online

  I look down at my hands resting in my lap.

  ‘He doesn’t know about the jewellery box yet. I made contact via the email on his blog and he thinks I just stumbled across it. Besides, the offer of my services for free is purely business related and mutually beneficial, so what’s the harm in it?’

  Lizzie finishes off her coffee in silence, then looks across at me with a slight frown on her face.

  ‘What if he’s another Karl?’

  ‘Lizzie! I repeat – I’m not trying to get a date with him. I need projects and this one will look good as well as helping a great cause.’

  As if to endorse that, Ziggy winds herself around the leg of my chair and flops in the shady patch cast by my shadow. How can anyone not admire a man who spends his life looking after animals?

  ‘If anyone deserves a freebie, it’s him.’

  ‘And when will you tell him that you know his life story?’

  I sigh because I know she’s right. ‘When I know him a little better.’

  ‘Ah,’ she says, nodding. ‘When it won’t sound quite so bizarre.’

  ‘What’s bizarre?’ Daniel asks as he walks through the archway. ‘Sam has some savoury things in the oven and I wondered what you ladies wanted to drink.’

  I immediately jump up, grabbing both mugs off the table and disturbing Ziggy who lets out a weak meow of protest, but doesn’t move.

  ‘Time for cocktails, I think. And Lizzie is exaggerating, as bizarre isn’t in my vocabulary.’

  We all traipse into the kitchen just as the doorbell rings and it’s a late arrival. Mum thought they were a no-show, but they explain that they had a puncture which delayed them for a couple of hours. I leave Lizzie and Daniel to make the cocktails while I show the guests up to their room.

  When I return they’ve already started – without me.

  ‘First time I’ve ever tried an espresso martini. It’s not bad!’ Sam looks up at me approvingly.

  They all toast each other and Lizzie offers me a glass.

  ‘Did you stick to the recipe? A little ice in the shaker first, then the Tia Maria followed by a shot of vodka. The espresso must go in last, before you shake, and should be cooled a little with some of the ice chips, first. Oh, and the glasses must be chilled for at least twenty minutes in the freezer.’

  I take a sip and nod. ‘Guess you did. No coffee beans on the top?’

  ‘I couldn’t find any,’ she says, rolling her eyes.

  I point to the shelf above the kettle. ‘In that little tin. Dad won’t drink one without, he says they add that perfect little hint of bitterness.’

  Sam is bent over the range, pulling some trays from the oven. The smell is amazing. We load up a couple of platters and carry everything down to the bottom of the garden.

  It’s more Italian cuisine than French, the thinly cut pieces of baguette loaded with an assortment of hot and cold toppings. The cold selection of cheeses and cooked meats, olives, capers and tomatoes, make perfect finger food. The hot options include a tomato and garlic sauce, with parmesan cheese and salt cured French lardons; and goat’s cheese with slices of grilled red pepper. Both Lizzie and Daniel are really impressed by Sam’s culinary skills, as Lizzie reminds me of yet another of my infamous disasters. It raises a laugh from everyone and even I join in.

  While we eat Sam asks Daniel about his job and we listen to a string of plumbing mishaps. Daniel explains that he never really knows what he’s going to find until he’s on the job. He says he has experienced just about everything. Including a bath that had fallen through a rotting floor into a kitchen.

  I like Daniel. He’s one of those guys who enjoys what he does, doesn’t moan about his lot and is simply working hard to build a life with Lizzie. They are the perfect couple in my eyes and I love the little glances he keeps stealing when she isn’t looking his way.

  ‘Have you always been a builder, Sam?’

  I tense a little for some reason. But when I glance across at Sam he seems happy enough to answer. I look down and see that Ziggy has appeared and after circling around, flops down besides his chair. She pops her head up as if she’s listening to the conversation, her green eyes trained on him and watching intently.

  ‘No. I sort of ended up here and became involved in my dad’s business through mutual necessity. He taught me everything I know and he’s worked hard to build it up from nothing. They bought a run-down farmhouse not far from here about eight years ago and finally moved over here permanently just over four years ago, now. They work mainly for British people who struggle with the language, which makes it hard when it comes to employing a builder. It’s very different over here and it’s important to understand those differences when it comes to extensions and major works. But recently he’s been getting work from the locals, too, and that’s great because it means Mum and Dad are now a real part of the community.’

  It’s an honest answer and Daniel dives straight in.

  ‘So, have you made your home here, or is this just a temporary phase before you move on?’

  Sam drains his cocktail glass, gently setting it back down on the table.

  ‘I live in a caravan next to a barn I’m converting. It’s a work in progress.’

  Well, part of that sentence is correct but I haven’t seen much progress since I’ve been here.

  ‘How lovely; a barn conversion!’ Lizzie enthuses. Her dream of living in France one day is only a glimmer on a distant horizon. But she’s wearing her rose-coloured spectacles, as they say, and will be imagining a pristine and cosy little caravan. She’d be appalled at Sam’s real living conditions. Lizzie thinks staying in a hotel, and even our delightful little gîte, that only has shower facilities and not a full bathroom, is roughing it.

  ‘When do you hope to be ready to move in? It must be tough getting through the winter in a caravan. I take my hat off to anyone who is prepared to do that.’ Daniel is genuinely interested.

  Sam purses his lips, appearing to give it some consideration.

  ‘Hmm… it’s hard to say, really. I’m happy enough plodding along. To be honest, at the end of each day I’m content to go back and relax with a beer and a burger on the barbecue. I work on it at weekends, more intensively when I’m able to buy materials. It depends on how busy the day job is, though. Winter is harder, of course.’

  Daniel seems to understand, but Lizzie is very like me.

  ‘That’s such a shame. It must be so hard not being able to just crack on with the work and get it all done. I bet it will be stunning, though, once it’s completed.’

  Will that be this decade, or next, Sam? I busy myself sipping the last of my martini to avoid joining in the conversation.

  ‘I hope so. I used to live by a timetable but now life is a lot more relaxed. Besides, I enjoy doing jobs like this one for Geoff and Viv. They deserve all the help they can get. And it’s been a bonus working alongside Anna, of course.’

  He’s throwing the conversation open because he’s beginning to feel uncomfortable.

  ‘Have you seen it?’ Lizzie asks, turning to me with eager eyes.

  ‘Yes. It’s… as Sam said, a work in progress. But the views are stunning and the plans are well thought out.’

  ‘Oh,’ Lizzie muses, ‘if only we could start off our married life over here instead of in a new build on the edge of a city. It’s convenient for work, I suppose, and besides, the drawback is how to earn a living over here. Are plumbers in demand, Sam?’

  He shoots a look at Daniel, who seems surprised at the question. I wonder if Lizzie has ever mentioned her dream to him?

  ‘I don’t know a plumber who isn’t rushed off his feet, to be honest. There’s a lot of old pipework in the properties being renovated. My dad is always looking for English speaking tradesmen.’

  Daniel spins his head back round to look at Lizzie, raising his eyebrows in surprise.

  ‘You’d seriously consider moving here? What about our families?’

  Sam looks in my direction for help
and I rise, grabbing two of the cocktail glasses.

  ‘Anyone up for another martini? Sam, you might want to stay over and take that bike of yours home in the morning. The single room at the back that we often use for storage isn’t in use and it won’t take much to move a few boxes around and make up the bed. Back in a little bit, folks. Can you grab those two glasses for me?’

  Sam immediately jumps up, glad of the distraction and as we head back up the garden he shoots me a sideways look that is little short of a grimace.

  When we are out of earshot I explain. ‘Lizzie’s biological father lives over here and when she was young she spent part of her summer holidays with him, his French wife and her two step-brothers. She keeps egging her mother and step-father on to buy a holiday home over here, or do what my parents did. But they don’t have the same affinity with France that she does and they are happy enough living in Devon. I’m surprised she hasn’t had the conversation with Daniel, though, as he seemed rather surprised.’

  ‘There always a little trouble in paradise, isn’t there?’ He looks at me with that lop-sided grin of his.

  ‘Which means?’

  ‘Well, they’re the perfect couple, aren’t they? They’ll settle down, have a couple of kids and, hopefully, live happily ever after.’

  It’s not sarcasm in his tone, it’s something else.

  ‘And what’s wrong with that?’

  He sighs. ‘Some people have the knack of making it all look so easy but the reality is that it’s hard to get it right. Anyway, let’s tackle this martini, as if I’m staying over I’m definitely up for a second before I hit the real coffee.’

  Sometimes Sam is so easy to get on with and I find myself looking at him and wondering… I don’t know, maybe what if one of us was a bit different? Or that we weren’t such extreme opposites of the scale? One thing I’ve learnt in life, twice over now – to my bitter cost – is that you can’t change people. I’m never going to be as laid back as Sam and Sam is never going to be as focused as I am.

  But the big surprise tonight is how sociable he’s being. He’s already spent a lot of time talking to Daniel and I wonder if he misses the guy talk thing; the bike was a surprise but a perfect ice-breaker as it happens. It’s given them something else in common, aside from work, and it makes the other differences a lot less obvious. Or so I thought, until it’s time for everyone to head off to bed. I give Daniel a goodnight hug and turn to Lizzie. Sam is already climbing the stairs and Daniel is on his way out through the kitchen.

  ‘I see what you mean,’ she half whispers into my ear. ‘Sam is a lovely, lovely guy but isn’t it a little strange that he as good as admitted he’s living from day to day? I bet you know his story. Is it a sad one?’

  She looks concerned, as if she’s hoping to hear some revelation that will explain the situation and indicate it’s only a temporary thing. Suddenly I feel quite defensive on Sam’s behalf, which is silly as Lizzie is only voicing what I felt when I first met him. And, besides, Sam and I are only friends. I don’t have to make excuses for him.

  ‘It’s the way he’s chosen to live his life. I think there was a time when he was under a lot of pressure and something went wrong, but I don’t know what. I’ve tried to encourage him a little, as he’s so focused on the day job. But I guess it takes all sorts to make a world.’

  She raises her eyebrows.

  ‘Shame. He is a very good looking candidate.’ She sounds disappointed for me and as she races off to catch up with Daniel, she leaves me standing here speechless. Even if Sam was looking to get involved with someone the timing isn’t right for me to even consider starting a new relationship. And, besides, from what his mum told me he might have already found the great love of his life, if the person he lost was more than just a friend.

  The Surprises Keep on Coming

  Sam leaves shortly after breakfast and I’m surprised to find out from Daniel that, apparently, we’re going to meet him later at the barn for a guided tour.

  I leave Lizzie and Daniel chatting in the garden with Mum and Dad after the visitors’ breakfasts have been served and go up to my room. I’m relieved to see there’s nothing from Karl.

  I have nearly two hours before we need to set off and I want to start putting together some design ideas for Tom’s new logo. After an hour of clicking, dragging, cutting and pasting I go back to the original idea I had last night. I end up with a black and white drawing of a lion’s head surrounded by a circle of head to toe animals. I add the outline of two leafy bamboo canes on the left hand side, to give it a jungle look. Then I do another one in a similar vein, but this time I use a cat surrounded by a circle of domestic animals and the outline of a daisy. Perfect, if I do say so myself. Both logos look good side by side and it’s easy to distinguish them, but they are also easily identifiable as being the same brand. In fact, I’m so pleased that I immediately email them to Tom with a little note to say it’s only the first draft and asking for his thoughts.

  Later I’ll work on finding the right template for his blog and website. I need to be mindful that Tom needs something that’s going to be relatively simple to update and load posts containing lots of photos. Because he already has so much content it’s going to be easy to improve on the presentation and make everything really jump off the page. But now it’s time to get ready and check out the latest progress at Sam’s place.

  *

  ‘It’s, um, a bit of a project you have here. Quite ambitious.’ Daniel’s voice is even, but he’s in the trade and I can see from the look on his face that he understands how much work is required. In fact, I don’t think anything further has been done since I last visited.

  Sam explains his plans and then goes off to the caravan with Daniel, to show him the drawings. When they are gone Lizzie turns to me, letting her face fall.

  ‘It’s going to need a team to work on this, Anna. Sam is going to be living in that caravan for ever, at this rate. I’m really shocked!’

  I shrug, feeling unable to add anything to her comment.

  ‘Can’t we do anything to help him?’ She sounds sad and it’s touching that she’s so concerned about someone who is little more than a stranger to her.

  ‘I haven’t offered because it’s a sore subject. But I know what two people can achieve when they work hard, just look at the gîte. I don’t know if it is simply the lack of funds, or pride that stops him reaching out to people. I bet his dad would love to be here giving him a hand. I have to remember I’m only a friend, though.’

  She nods, scuffing the dirt floor with her foot.

  ‘I really wasn’t expecting this. Daniel was rather taken aback, as well. It’s not so much a dream, as a nightmare. What if it never gets finished?’

  We’re both thinking of the very unprepossessing seventies caravan which has seen its best years.

  ‘What if we all offered to help out? Once he saw some real progress maybe that would give him the boost he needs. Or is that a mad idea?’

  ‘What’s a mad idea?’ Sam’s voice seems to echo around the empty space as the guys walk back through the door.

  I swallow down a big gulp as Lizzie flashes them both a well meaning smile.

  ‘Wouldn’t it be fun if we could all help out, Sam? We’re here for a week and sight-seeing is fun, but how exciting would it be to spend a few days working together on your project. Okay, I don’t have the skills that Daniel and Anna can offer, but I can fetch, carry and keep things tidy. What do you think?’

  If I’d just uttered those words then I’m sure Sam would have exploded. Instead, he appears to consider it with some level of seriousness, before answering.

  ‘That’s a great offer, Lizzie, and a very generous one indeed. The problem is that I’m due to start work on the second gîte this week, before Anna and I go to Cannes. Geoff and Viv are understandably keen to get the building works finished. I’ve told them it will all be done by the middle of September at the latest. They need to capitalise on the autumn visitors and t
hen there’s only a short break between that and the popular Christmas holiday period.’

  Well, that’s news to me. And Mum and Dad. We all thought he was taking a week off. Oh Sam, are you ever going to put yourself first? He seems genuinely regretful but Lizzie has spun around on her heels to stare at me.

  ‘You’re going to Cannes? You never mentioned that.’

  I squirm uneasily. Sam did that on purpose to deflect from the fact that he has no intention of letting anyone organise his time, even when the offer is a genuine one.

  ‘Sam’s meeting up with some old friends and he’s kindly offered to take me along for the ride. At some point, we’ll take the jewellery box to Tom.’

  She turns back round to scrutinise Sam, but he’s giving nothing away.

  ‘Oh, I see. That’s very kind of Sam. And Cannes, how exciting.’ It’s obvious her interest is piqued, but Daniel asks Sam a question and thankfully the subject is dropped.

  However, while the guys go off to inspect a neat stack of old timbers Sam is hoping to re-purpose, Lizzie hurries across to me.

  ‘Are you sure there’s nothing going on between the two of you?’

  ‘Nothing except some harsh words when we drive each other nuts with our opposing viewpoints. We do have some common ground, but now you’ve seen how ridiculously laid back he is about his circumstances, can you imagine how frustrating I find that? I know his mother feels the same way. But you can’t help someone who doesn’t want to be helped.’

  I think I’ve made my point and Lizzie accepts it with good grace.

  ‘It’s such a shame. And it would have been a real buzz to get stuck in and make something happen here.’

  The warm breeze picks up and the polythene sheets against the almost completely open side of the barn begin to crackle.

  ‘That’s a lovely view, though,’ she concludes.

  Daniel and Sam walk back across the large open space, deep in conversation. Then Sam looks at me with a smile that seems genuine enough.

  ‘Are you ladies ready to move on? Next you get to see a completed project. I thought you might like to look around my parents’ farmhouse renovation.’