When they were sitting together, the kitchen windows fogged with steam, and the sweet aroma of onions wafting up from their bowls, she told him about how well the chocolate shop she ran was doing. She’d introduced a new subscription side to the business, and it had taken off in time for lots of people to gift it to friends and family as a Christmas present. Both his parents were so good at balancing the culinary and the business side of things. Olivier hadn’t really tried and wasn’t sure yet whether he wanted to. Maybe he was just being a coward because they made it look too easy and that was why he was holding off on the promotion?
‘Your cousin is working in the shop with me now as my assistant manager,’ Sylvia continued.
‘Celeste?’ Olivier tilted his head, spoon poised before his mouth, ready to blow on it. ‘She’s not gone back to her big firm in London after having the baby?’
‘No. She didn’t want to spend all that time commuting. And I only need her part-time. It’s perfect, as she can help me do accounts now. It’s lovely for me to have her to chat to as well. Even with your aunt so close, I don’t get to see her as often as I’d like. Celeste keeps me up to date with everything that’s going on and I love seeing photos of the baby.’ She gave a wistful sigh and shook her dark auburn hair back. ‘It’ssolovely having little ones in the family again. A whole new generation.’
Olivier swallowed the silky broth, waiting for it…
‘Have you started seeing anyone in Paris since we last spoke?’
And there it was. He knew that she just wanted him to be happy – and to get on with giving her some grandchildren to fuss – but everywhere he looked these days, there seemed to be a topic of conversation he didn’t want to get drawn into. Maybe because talking about why he hadn’t dated anyone since his divorce meant actually talking about the divorce too.
‘No. I’m like you, Maman, too busy.’
‘Hmm.’ She lifted a piece of bread and pointed the flour-dusted crust at him. ‘When you find someone you connect with, you’ll find the time to fit them in your life.’
‘Well. I haven’t found anyone yet. I’m fine, Maman, don’t worry. It will happen. I fully intend to provide you with grandchildren one day.’
‘It won’t entirely be up to you.’
‘No. That’s true.’Things seldom are,Olivier reflected. Perhaps that was why he was still single. His father’s voice was constant background noise – enforcing his opinions on every one of Olivier’s thoughts. ‘You’ve been very busy decorating the house.’ He changed the subject, gesturing to the new floor. ‘It looks lovely.’
She waved her hand dismissively. ‘Just touch-ups – when I have the time. Have you been up to your room?’
‘Yes.’ He smiled. ‘I poked my head in. It looks very stylish and comfortable. No posters of bands on the walls anymore.’
‘I saved all your bits and pieces. Put them in a box at the bottom of the wardrobe if you’d like to sort through them?’
‘I’m sure there’s nothing there I’m attached to.’
‘No. No. I suppose not. You hardly ever stayed here really.’ His mother’s smile was stiff and Olivier felt a moment of doubt that his reassurance had been the right thing to say.
‘I’ll go through it later. I am curious.’ He tried again and spooned up some more soup.
Placated, his mother nodded. ‘I think you’ll be surprised by what you left behind.’
If his encounter with Ashleigh was anything to go by, it wasn’t that he would be surprised, so much as maybe he’d forced himself to forget.
