Page 64 of The Christmas Star

Keeping the abbey to our right, we continued on, but my impatience grew with every step. ‘This bloody service better have been worth it,’ I said.

Our route sloped away from the pedestrianised area and onto another main road. My phone indicated we turn right and passing a grocery shop we began an uphill trek. Finding ourselves surrounded by yet more houses, the road veered right again and Theo spotted the Bureau du Maire on our left. ‘That’s got to be a good sign,’ he said.

My shoulders slumped as much to my relief I spotted another set of wrought-iron gates.

‘Third time lucky,’ Theo said. ‘And look.’ He pointed to an event advertisement announcing that evening’s concert de chants de Noël.

As we picked up speed, I gestured to the abbey. ‘The lights are still on,’ I said. ‘We’re not too late.’

We charged towards the building with its mullioned windows, ornate stonework and Lombard architecture, which contrasted sharply with the modern reception area we entered in to. Made up of perfectly plastered white walls, a contemporary reception desk and a slick photo display, glancing around I couldn’t find anything that would draw staff’s attention to our presence.

‘I can’t hear any music,’ Theo said.

I strained my ears and like him heard nothing. Glancing around, I spotted a door in the corner and determined to further investigate, I headed straight for it.

‘Where are you going?’ Theo asked. ‘Shouldn’t we wait for someone.’

‘And if no one comes?’ I indicated the street outside. ‘I’m not going through all that palaver for nothing.’

As I stepped out into a quadrangle, the continued silence bothered me and hoping our nearly five-hour race from one Arles to another hadn’t been for nothing, I followed the path that led under the courtyard cloisters until we reached another door.

‘I’m not sure we should be doing this,’ Theo said.

Opening it, I took Theo’s elbow and pulled him inside with me.

The estate agent in me immediately took over and my eyes widened at the imposing and austere three-aisle nave that greeted us. My gaze drew upward to its limestone vaulted ceiling, and I couldn’t help but admire the circular apse flanked by apsidioles. To the right there were friezes and murals filled with religious iconography – angels with wings covering their eyes, lions, saints, and Christ being welcomed by crowds. Although another glance around the peopleless space, I couldn’t deny I’d have liked the abbey a whole lot more if Mum and Jackson had been in it.

Theo slid into a pew. ‘So what do we do now?’

I sat down next to him and as much at a loss, I sighed. ‘I haven’t a clue.’

There was a sudden bang ahead of us and as the noise echoed around the abbey walls two elderly women came into view.

One wore a long woollen coat and a thick scarf, and her white hair was tied into a bun at the back of her head. The other was dressed in a black padded jacket with a fur-trimmed collar and had short grey hair. Clocking our presence, they seemed as surprised to see us as we were to see them.

‘Puis-je vous aider?’ the first of them asked.

‘There can’t have been many English visitors at this carol concert,’ Theo said, his voice quiet. ‘So if Maeve and Jackson were here…’ He fixed a smile on his face and stood up as the women approached.

Observing the three of them, I might not have understood their words, but the serious expressions and head shaking didn’t give me hope.

‘Merci beaucoup,’ Theo said. He turned to me. ‘They don’t know anything.’

I rose to my feet. ‘Merci, madames.’

Leaving them to it, Theo and I headed back through the cloisters into the reception area and out onto the street.

Stood in the cold, I looked up to the heavens. Dad if you’re watching all this, I need your help.

CHAPTER 41

It was freezing as we headed up the street. We didn’t have a clue where we were going and short of knocking on everybody’s door, how were we ever going to locate Mum and Jackson?

‘We should think about finding a bed for the night,’ I said.

‘I could ring around,’ Theo suggested. ‘You never know, we might get lucky.’

As much as I admired his optimism, I didn’t rate our chances and spotting a bench, I took Theo by the arm and led him straight to it.