Page 73 of The Bordeaux Book Club
‘Oh love. He still could be telling the truth…’ Grace’s voice wavered under Leah’s gaze. ‘Or something close to it.’
‘But he’s hiding something.’
‘It does seem,’ Grace said, ‘as if you might not have the whole picture. But look, I’m no relationship expert. And certainly not the most optimistic of people when it comes to matters of the heart.’
‘Oh, I don’t know,’ Leah said, smiling a watery smile. ‘You’re quite a fan of Darcy – and even had the hots for Heathcliff before Alfie shattered all our illusions.’
‘Ha. Well, there is that,’ Grace agreed. ‘But look. Don’t let what I think cloud your judgement. Keep an open mind.’
Leah shook her head. ‘I’m not sure that I can.’
Grace’s hand was on her arm. ‘Try,’ she said. ‘Hear him out, at least.’
Leah looked at her, surprised.
‘I know,’ Grace said. ‘But maybe I’ve been too judgemental in the past. Maybe I’m getting more romantic in my old age. Especially after all these books.’
‘Wonders will never cease,’ Leah quipped, and the friends smiled.
‘See, old dogs… well, they can learn new tricks, after all,’ Grace said.
‘Less of the old.’
Grace leaned forward slightly and seemed to be about to speak. But instead raised her hand and took a sip of tea, sighing with pleasure. ‘You know,’ she said. ‘I am a great lover of fine wines. But you can’t actually beat a cup of tea, can you?’
‘You really can’t,’ Leah agreed.
They sat in silence for a moment more, hearing the gentle clucking of the chickens in their coop, the chatter of birds from the nearby trees. Somewhere in a nearby garden, children up past their bedtime shouted and squealed. There was a splash of water as someone dived into a backyard pool. The vegetable plots looked almost bountiful bathed in the golden light, theshoots just protruding from the earth in places, promising the possibility of something new forming underneath, as yet unseen.
‘It is gorgeous here, isn’t it?’ Leah said.
‘It really is.’
‘I hope I don’t… I don’t want to, break things,’ she said, her voice small.
‘You can’t,’ Grace said. ‘We won’t let you. And things don’t always go as planned, but you can fix them yourself. Even if… well, if you find out the worst. It doesn’t mean it all has to end. It doesn’t mean this… this dream of living here has to be over. Not if you don’t want it to. Build something new. You can still have this life, or any life you want. I really believe that.’
And as they finished their traditional English tea, looking over the unmistakable French countryside, Leah felt in that moment that it was true.
29
‘Ready?’ George said, turning the key and looking at Grace as she slipped into the passenger seat.
Grace clicked her seatbelt into place. ‘Yes. All set!’
The car lights clicked on, illuminating the drive and the roadway beyond. It was eleven o’clock – an hour later than they’d planned to leave. But Grace hadn’t wanted to go until she was sure Leah was OK. ‘Thanks for waiting,’ she said now.
‘Not a problem. She OK?’ George gave her a sideways glance. ‘Obviously, I’m not sure what you two were talking about, but… you can tell when someone’s upset.’
‘I think she’s OK. I think she is, now,’ Grace said, as the car turned onto the road.
They were silent for the first couple of minutes before George said. ‘Good meeting tonight, though. Other than that. And well, Alfie…’
‘Yes. Poor kid.’
‘What you said, though,’ said George. ‘About being family. It was kind of beautiful.’
‘Thank you. And you too.’
