“Fine, but I’m timing you.”
“I saw the look between you and Aubin at dinner. I said yes to you two gallivanting about on your own, and that was, what, four or five hours? But sometimes that’s all it takes, because young people and hormones move fast, take it from me. So hereI am to say all the neurotic mother things. Do not have sex with that boy. And if you do, wear protection. I can get condoms for you. I’ll find a pharmacy, and I’ll do it for you if you’re too embarrassed. I’ll Google translate how to ask.”
“Ew,” said Sabine, “and fifteen seconds left.”
“I don’t want you to wreck your life, not that having you wrecked mine, you were the best thing ever, but I know you get my meaning. So however long we’re here, keep me in the loop. Let me know where you are. Don’t go far. No drinking and driving. Definitely no lying. And if you have any issues, talk to me. I’m too young to be a grandmother. Done.”
“Four seconds to spare. Impressive.”
“Then I’ll add don’t do drugs, look before you cross the road, and always do the dishes at someone else’s house.”
“Time’s up. And for the record, I have not slept with Aubin. Nor am I considering it. He’s mostly very irritating.”
“I’m relieved,” said Marlow, “but when he’s not irritating, tell him to keep it in his pants. And thank you for this meaningful mother–daughter moment. Any chance you’re going to tell me what university you’ve chosen?”
“Not yet, but soon.”
“Then I’m going to check my email and gnaw off my left hand.”
But Oscar had replied by the time she got back to her room. He, surprisingly, approved of her working remotely; HR also gave it their stamp of approval. He was passive-aggressive of course, saying it would be on probation, with a performance review midsummer. She thanked him, adding that she looked forward to interviewing remotely for the manager job, so he didn’t cut her out from spite. And cced HR to create a paper trail.
Marlow walked down the quiet hallway to the bathroom, lit only by moonlight, and paused to look out at the serene vineyards.She felt … what? Elated? Joie de vivre? Maybe not quite, but at least on top of things for the first time in a while.
On the way back, she passed Guillaume’s bedroom. His door was ajar, and she could see him, in pajama bottoms and an undershirt, doing push-ups. Hm. Useless expenditure of energy in her opinion—she could think of better ways. She had a flash of maybe bringing some of her spare joie de vivre right on in there to help out … but headed to bed instead.
CHAPTER TEN
At breakfast, Sabine got the news that her mum’s boss, Oscar, had approved the idea of staying the summer and working remotely. Sabine couldn’t think of anything she’d rather do than stay, too. True, the situation with Aubin was awkward, but he’d promised to never mention their kiss-fest again.
“That’s so cool, Mum. I’ll stay, too.”
“OK,” said Marlow, “but not to sound like a broken record … university. You said you’d choose. I don’t want you to be here and feel it’s not the most important thing. It is.”
Guillaume and Aubin stared at their fruit plates, trying to be invisible.
“Sabine got a perfect report card in her final year of high school,” said Marlow to the others. “One of only three students in the whole province. She met the premier—had her photo in the paper. The deal was, we were going to France for a holiday, and she was going to choose a university. None of that has gone away.”
Sabine’s head was in a vise. She couldn’t breathe. The only way out was to lie. Or was it? She never lied. Ever. She’d never had to.
“I actually did decide. I chose U of T.”
“Yes!”said Marlow, pumping her fists in the air. She turned to Guillaume and Aubin. “The University of Toronto is like Canada’s own Sorbonne. And she can live at home, too. I’m so happy.”
Sabine felt a terrible mixture of nausea and relief. She just needed to stay here in France for the summer and buy herself time to make this one decision that seemed so huge.
“And since I made my choice, and I don’t have to move, I can stay,” said Sabine. “Help with the house.” She was laying it on thick. Too thick? She wasn’t used to this lying thing.
“Any labor that’s free labor is excellent labor to me,” said Marlow.
“I don’t know what you’re doing, Aubin …” said Sabine.
“If my uncle doesn’t mind me taking time away from the vineyard,” he said.
“I don’t,” said Guillaume.
Sabine smiled, noticing the terrified look on Marlow’s face, like her daughter might get pregnant just by spending the summer with a boy.Give me a little credit,thought Sabine. And yet … she felt a thrill. Who knew what might happen next.
Marlow texted Violet that she and Sabine were staying the summer—it was the middle of the night in Canada, but she’d get the message in the morning. Then, with trepidation, she texted Noah the news. He was actually up (all those years in the restaurant business had made him a nighthawk) but he was happy for her, which filled her with relief. She reassured him that she wasn’t abandoning him—she’d be back.
