Archie appeared equally impressed. “Honestly, Mum, after the restaurants we’ve been to, I’m never eating at Pizza Hut again.”
Looking at them, Hannah was glad to see Carl had taken her advice on the sun cream. Instead of being lobster red, Beth and Archie’s skin had warm golden undertones. Her long hair and his short curls had developed sun-kissed highlights. Bright-eyed and wearing big smiles, they looked happy and healthy. The South of France was evidently good for them.
“I’m never coming home,” Beth said. “I love it here. Yesterday, we went to Cannes. Forget the film festival, it’s got this beachside boardwalk called La Croisette. It’s lined with a tonne of flagship stores.” She came over all dreamy. “Gucci, Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton… they’re all there. I’ve never seen anything like it.” She snapped back into the room. “And neither has Monica. I’ve already told her and dad what I want for Christmas.”
Envisaging Beth and Monica excitedly going from one exclusive shop to another, Hannah felt a stab of jealousy. Beth flat out refused to be seen clothes shopping with Hannah. In Beth’s view, Hannah wasn’t cool enough. “And how did your dad respond to that? It’s only August.”
“He said he and Monica will take it under consideration.”
Well, well, well,Hannah thought. Things between Carl and Monicawereserious. Not only was December months away, the two of them planned on joint gift giving.
Hannah turned her attention to Archie. “What about you?” Hannah knew from experience traipsing from shop to shop to shop, designer or otherwise, wasn’t her son’s thing. “What did you get up to while your sister was planning ahead?”
“Dad and I checked out the marina. You wouldn’t believe how many super yachts there are around here, Mum. And owned by some pretty important people. Most of them had security men guarding the gang planks. I’m telling you, no one gets on board without their say so.”
“Dad suggestedwemight be able to hire a boat at some point,” Beth said.
“Not like the ones we saw in Cannes though, obviously.”
“Obviously,” Hannah replied. Seeing their laughter, it was good to know they were properly enjoying themselves.
“I’m not sure you’d like it here though, Mum,” Beth said, turning serious.
Hannah cocked her head, wondering what made her daughter think that.
“It’s very high-end. You know, glamorous.”
“I can do glamorous.” Hannah looked down at her jeans and T-shirt. “When it’s called for.”
Beth raised her eyebrows. “Mum, you wear hardly any make-up, and you never go to the hairdressers. You wouldn’t know a Prada handbag if someone hit you over the head with it.”
Hannah couldn’t deny Beth was right.
“And everyone in France is so friendly,” Archie said.
“What, and I’m not?” Hannah asked, becoming increasingly affronted.
“People here kiss complete strangers,” Archie added, failing to register Hannah’s question.
“On the cheeks, of course, not the lips. And only in informal settings,” Beth said. She flicked her hair off her face. “In France, it’s traditional.”
Hannah felt her hackles rise. It was one thing her children seeing her as scruffy, but for them to think she was culturally unaware as well. “La bise,” she said, wanting to prove them wrong.
“Excuse me?” Beth replied.
“La bise. That’s what the kissing thing’s called.” Hannah could see the two of them didn’t believe her.
Archie pulled his phone from his pocket and typed something in. “She’s right, you know.”
Hannah let out a laugh. Of course she was. She wouldn’t have said it otherwise.
He held the screen towards Beth. “Look.”
Beth narrowed her eyes as she read, clearly questioning how Hannah could possibly know that. “And I thought Dad was the clever one.”
Hannah scoffed. “I’m not a complete numpty.”
“No, but it’s not like you ever go anywhere to learn these things,” Beth said.
