Chapter Forty
Thursday 19th December
Olivier – 36 Tilgate Road, Brighton
It was Thursday afternoon when Olivier arrived at his maman’s. He walked up the small path, remembering how it had felt when he’d done the same short journey from his car with his suitcase only a few weeks ago: like he was coming home. And now, he truly was.
And he remembered how Ash had come out of her house in her elf outfit, his memories having never done her justice.
He stared at her door willing her to come out now, even though he knew Beth’s wedding was tomorrow and she would have already left to go to it. And that was a good thing. He was desperate to see her and tell her that he was back, and that he would be staying. That she could rely on him to be there when and if she wanted a relationship with him. He was going to tell her that he was prepared to wait if she needed him to. Things had been bumpy and he couldn’t blame her if she was wary but he was there for the long haul now. But he was also groggy from all the travelling, a late night spent with Bertrand and his wife and daughter, and then an early morning to meet his papa for coffee and croissants.
He didn’t want to go to her, looking like he was hungover and stumbling over his words – that would hardly convince her he was seriousoran attractive prospect as a boyfriend. So it was a good thing she wasn’t there now. It really was. He’d waited fifteen years; he could wait two more days surely.
Even though his maman should have been at the shop, she opened the door before he had a chance to pull his key out. ‘Oli darling, what’s going on?’ she asked as he dragged his case inside.
He left his suitcase at the bottom of the stairs and scrubbed his face with his hands. When he emerged from behind his hands, he found his maman staring at him, dark eyes wide. He raised an eyebrow at her. ‘You really don’t know already?’
‘Well, your papa might have called me, but I’d prefer to hear it from you.’
‘I knew he would.’ He laughed and gave his head a little shake. Their breakfast that morning had been brief, the demands of the restaurant on Auguste understandable, and the conversation had been strained but Olivier was glad he had made the time for it. He loved his papa, despite the difficulties they’d had, and strangely he hoped that getting some space between them would actually bring them closer together. But it would take time to change the habits of a lifetime. ‘Hoping to try another angle on me was he?’
Sylvia gave him a rueful smile and went to the kitchen. ‘Come and sit. You look exhausted.’
He followed her and sank gratefully into one of the wooden chairs at the table, stretching his legs out with a groan. She put a hot cup of good coffee in front of him, along with a plate of Florentines. He picked one up and took a huge bite, the raisins and almonds and dark chocolate mingling in his mouth.
‘Don’t worry, I told him that you make your own decisions and that I wasn’t going to be press-ganged into trying to change your mind. And why would I want to? You want to come and live here? That’s wonderful news for me.’ She laced her fingers before her but her smile was wide and genuine.
He tried to chew quickly and gave a laugh as his airway finally became clear. ‘I’m pleased to hear it. I’m sorry I didn’t discuss it with you before – it all happened as a sort of epiphany. I’m not expecting to move in with you. I’ll go back to Paris after Christmas to work my notice and put my apartment on the market, and then I’ll find somewhere over here. I’m serious about this. It’s not a knee-jerk reaction. I’ve needed a change of scenery and a new path for a while now. It makes sense to make a new start here, where I can spend more time with you and your side of the family, and my friends. And I think I’ll love living by the sea too.’
‘I know. Itdoesmake sense. And you can stay here for as long as you want to, darling, of course you can.’
‘Thank you. So, how did Auguste take it when you told him you’re no longer part of his team?’
‘Not well. But that’s okay. He wanted to know if I’d offered you a job. If I was trying to poach you.’
Olivier rolled his eyes. ‘I can never tell whether to be flattered that he thinks I’m such a great business asset or upset that he can’t think of me just as his son rather than a resource.’
‘Does that mean…’ She sat back a little and fiddled with her cup. ‘Does that mean that youwouldn’tlike to work for me?’
‘Pardon?’
‘You know I’m going to need more staff in the new year to work on the subscription side of the business. I’d love to have you working with me. But I can understand that you may not want to go straight from working with one parent to working with another.’
‘Maman, I’dlovethat.’ He leaned across the table and hugged her. ‘Are you sure though? You don’t have to offer me something to help me out because I’ll be unemployed. I’m sure there are plenty of restaurants in Brighton I could find work with.’
‘I didn’t think you wanted to work in a restaurant anymore?’
‘Ideally not—’
‘Then how could I not snap up the genius behind that display? It’s beautiful. I knew you always enjoyed experimenting with me and that you absorbed everything I told you; that’s why I suggested you do it. You came alive working on it. I haven’t seen that kind of passion in you in so long.’
‘So…’ He rubbed his head and raised an eyebrow at her. ‘Wasthis your plan all along?’
Her mouth dropped open for a moment and then she leaned forward and swatted his arm. ‘Of course it wasn’t. You know that. But I’m so happy that this is what you want. I’m so happy you haverealisedwhat you want.’
‘Me too, Maman.’ He picked off a shiny glacé cherry from his Florentine and nibbled it. He was being selfish and going after what he wanted for once and it felt good. Scary but good. ‘Are you busy tonight?’
‘No. Why?’
‘I bought cinema tickets the other day. Would you like to go watchCasablancaon a big screen and go for a meal out to celebrate?’
She kissed both his cheeks. ‘Oh, that’s so thoughtful. I’m going to get spoiled with you living over here, I can tell.’
He grinned. ‘Just remember that when I ask for holiday requests, boss.’
