Their enthusiasm for the video was clearly catching, as even Flick felt a frisson of excitement over the whole thing. She considered which room they could use for the post-shoot gathering, the information she’d have to get from Rob to make sure they were catering for the right number of people, and where they could source cheap tables and chairs. “We can focus on getting the chateau ready. Can’t we, Mum?”
“And I’m more than happy to act as liaison officer,” Julia said. “To coordinate everything.”
If her actions up to then were anything to go by, Flick couldn’t think of anyone better.
Nate’s aunt continued to make a few more notes, before finally putting down her pen. She smiled. “Okay then. Let the preparations commence.”
26
Since listening to Nate’s aunt, Flick had put on her business head. She knew it wasn’t enough for the video crew to remember the chateau long after they left, she wanted them to keep talking about it too – the very reason why she’d decided to hold the wrap party in one of the front reception rooms.
Thanks to Nate’s mechanical skills, he’d fixed the mower and the view out onto the expansive lawns and sweeping drive was memorable for all the right reasons. Certainly worthy of discussion, the freshly cut lawns gave the chateau a real sense of grandeur; an extra selling point that could very well help with future bookings.
“So, what do you think?” Flick asked her mum, turning her attention back to the room’s interior. As Flick looked at the line of pasting tables that cut through the centre of the space, she wished she could say they were as befitting of the building as the vista from the window proved, but in truth, they just looked pathetic.
“I’ve already told you,” Brenda replied. “I think we should hold it in the kitchen. Not only is there a perfectly good table in there, that room is right next to the lake.”
“And likeIsaid, Mum, we’ve all heard stories about band members and late-night skinny dipping. The last thing we need is an aging rocker drowning amongst the lily pads. That lake might not look anything like a swimming pool to you and me, but after a couple of Julia’s legendaryAmour a Mosas,who knows what Argon Fire will see.”
Brenda laughed, ready to say something.
“I know, I know, they’re all teetotal these days,” Flick butted in. “I’m just not prepared to take any chances. This event is far too important.”
Flick took in the pasting tables once more. Her heart sank. “Let’s hope Julia’s as good at table dressing as she is at making cocktails.”
Again, Brenda laughed. “Remember her place the night of the soirée? I doubt a woman with that good an eye for detail will let you down.” She looked at her watch. “Anyway, I’m more interested in what time Jess is going to be here. I can’t wait to find out what’s on tonight’s menu.”
“Me too. That fennel and blue cheesetarte tatinwas to die for.” Her stomach grumbled just thinking about it. Despite Flick arguing to the contrary, Jess had insisted they sample her wares before she decided on a finalcarte du jour, something Flick’s waistline was, no doubt, paying for. “And thosegougères,who’d have thought cheese puffs could be quite so good.”
“Not exactly the finger buffet we’re used to, eh?” Brenda said.
“Aperitif dinatoire,if you don’t mind.” It was Flick’s turn to laugh. “Everything sounds so much more refined in French, don’t you think?”
A rickety old van coming up the drive caught her eye. Her brow furrowed as she failed to recognise it, although she frowned even more when she finally clocked the driver. “What’s he doing here?” she asked, curious, although she couldn’t deny she was pleased to see him.
Exiting the room to find out, Flick saw that Nate had already brought the van to a standstill and climbed out by the time she and her mum got there to greet him. Flick smoothed down her attire as she watched him walk round to the passenger door, open it and pull out a large cardboard box.
“For you,” he said, bringing it over. “From Aunt Julia.”
“What is it?” Flick asked.
“Oh, that’ll be the table linen.” Brenda stepped forward to relieve Nate of the box. “I forgot she said she’d pop some round. I can’t wait to see it.”
Flick watched her mum head back inside, leaving her and Nate to it. “Thank you. I haven’t forgotten my manners, even if Mum has.”
“Just following orders. So how are the preparations going for the video shoot?”
Flick found his interest surprising. He seemed to have steered clear of her and the chateau of late. Whereas everyone else had thrown themselves into helping with the wrap party, he seemed to have done a disappearing act. “I didn’t have you down as a rock fan.”
“I’m not. Just making small talk.”
Flick smirked. She knew an excuse when she heard one.
“That’s what neighbours do, isn’t it?” he continued. “Chat about the latest goings on.”
Flick smiled. She liked the sound of that. “Neighbours. Who’d have thought it, eh? I still haven’t properly got my head around all this yet. I keep pinching myself to make sure it’s real.”
“Oh, it’s real all right.”
