Page 73 of The Riviera House Swap
Every time she opened an email from Jemima, it was as if she was spirited back to her desk in St Albans. And each time, she felt pressure to make a decision about her future. She closed the laptop, deciding to get to it later.
There was a knock on the kitchen window and she jumped slightly, then smiled when she saw Antoine – his hair slightly wet, presumably from his morning shower – waving at her. She felt a prickle of embarrassment, remembering his declaration to her the other day, and hoped he wouldn’t ask about Pierre. Fixing on a smile, she got up and opened the door.
‘You know there’s a doorbell at the front, right?’ she said.
‘Yes, but I also know that my sister, even though she told me to come at this time, is probably still asleep – and believe me I have learned the hard way not to wake her if this is the case,’ he said, grinning. There was movement behind him and Nina realised that there was a young boy with dark hair standing behind Antoine, almost shyly.
‘Ah,’ Antoine said, following her eye. ‘This is Theo, my son.’
‘Bonjour,’ Theo said, not making eye contact.
‘Bonjour, Theo.’ She smiled. He looked at her then and his own features relaxed a little. When Sabine mentioned that Antoine had a teenage son, Nina had imagined a scowling, hands-in-pockets stereotype. Theo, in reality, looked younger than she’d pictured. Barely into his teens. Yes, he was awkward but he seemed shy rather than surly.
‘So Sabine is awake?’ Antoine asked.
‘No,’ Nina said, laughing. ‘You were right to be cautious. She’s still sound asleep.’
He laughed and looked at Theo. ‘I am sorry,’ he said. ‘I told you that your aunt is often very lazy.’ Antoine turned back towards Sabine. ‘He loves his aunt and wanted to see her before she leaves.’
‘Oh, do you want me to wake her?’
‘Oh, no! She will not be very agreeable. Theo is here all day so we will call back later. Could you tell her we have been by?’
‘Of course – no work today?’
‘No, I have Theo – his teachers, they take action, a strike, today. And I promised to help Sabine with the van. She says she does not need my help, but she does not know much about engines, so I prefer to check for myself,’ he said.
‘That’s kind of you. Would you like a coffee, now you’re here?’ said Nina, indicating the pot that still contained at least enough for a cup. ‘I’ve made too much anyway.’
‘Thank you, that would be nice,’ he said, ‘if I’m not interrupting your work?’ He nodded at her open laptop.
‘Hardly,’ she said, pouring rich, black coffee into one of Jean-Luc’s porcelain mugs. ‘Just my boss, reminding me that I am due back soon.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘Not sure she’s too happy that I took such a long holiday.’ She turned to Theo. ‘Can I get you a drink?’ she asked.
‘Orange juice?’ he asked timidly, and she filled him a glass. He sat at the table and pulled out his phone, scrolling rapidly.
‘Theo, do not be rude,’ Antoine said. ‘We do not use our phone with company.’
Nina looked at the boy. ‘Oh, it’s OK with me, if it’s OK with you,’ she said. ‘I’m on my laptop anyway.’
‘OK,’ Antoine smiled. ‘See, Theo. I told you that Madame Nina is very kind.’
‘Thanks Nina,’ Theo said, a delighted grin on his face. He soon disappeared into his online world once more.
Antoine shook his head, taking the mug from her and blowing steam from the top. He took a sip. ‘Thank you,’ he said. ‘And I am sorry that you have such a terrible boss.’
‘Oh, she’s not that bad,’ Nina said. Why was she suddenly defending Jemima?
‘But she contacted you when you’re on holiday. I think this is a very bad thing.’
Nina nodded. ‘Yeah, you’re right. It’s kind of put a dampener on my day. I hadn’t wanted to think about all that yet.’
‘You do not like your job?’
‘No, it’s more… well, I haven’t decided whether I really am going back,’ she said. She found herself telling him about her original plan, her dilemma. The fact that the two weeks between now and when she returned seemed far too short a period to come to any proper conclusion.
Antoine smiled, put his coffee down and reached to rub her arm. ‘You are a very kind person,’ he said. ‘I can see this. Many people would not worry about other people. They would just think of what they must do for themselves.’
‘I know. But maybe they’re right! Maybe I should be doing that too.’
