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The party was in full swing as I went outside to get some fresh air. I couldn’t stop thinking about my birthday dinner. The little voice in my head had known it hadn’t made sense that Luca had organised it, but I’d let myself get swept away in the Blanchet high life. It was Xavier behind it all. Of course it was. Xavier had been the thoughtful one, the kind one, putting me before everyone else. Listening to me, helping me, waiting for me. And he wasn’t even properly married and now it was too late. The evening air was almost warm as I looked up at the mountain, breathing it all in and enjoying my third glass of Champagne.
George:I’ve accepted the highest offer and the house is officially off the market. The good news is we’ve made £40k profit, so you’ll be getting £32k instead of £12k xx
Thirty-two thousand pounds! I couldn’t believe it. My money worries were over. I could do whatever I wanted with that amount of cash. Go anywhere. But there was nowhere I wanted to be other than right here, living this new life I’d discovered and only just started to enjoy.
‘Holly?’ I turned and Xavier was stood in the doorway, holding two of my excellently mixed French Connections. He’d changed into a tuxedo and looked ab-so-lute fire. His auburn hair fresh and glossy, eyes gleaming. The face of a man whose work was done. He’d paid his dues and his season was over. In fact, all three of his seasons were now over. I was going to miss that face.
‘Hi,’ I said shyly, taking in this new version of him. ‘Love the suit. Amazing food as always. Twenty empty platters plus twenty empty bowls equals one fantastic chef.’
‘Merci, merci,’ Xavier said, bowing in mock modesty and handing me a French Connection. ‘Two fantastic chefs, I think. Thank you for all your work this week to get us here – and great job on the cocktails! We are a formidable team.’
‘Were. Wewerea formidable team. And now it’s over,’ I said. ‘Your final canapé served, your final moule marinière-d.’
‘There’s always a moule to marinière somewhere,’ he laughed, ‘but yep, that’s Switzerland ticked off the list. Next stop, Italy. The land of prosciutto, pasta and Prosecco. And non-stop sunshine. It’ll be nice to get my year-round tan back.’
We clinked glasses and leant against the balcony, looking up at the moon, which was close to full and cheesy, stars glinting through the clouds.
‘I wanted to say thank you for my lovely birthday meal,’ I said. ‘David let it slip last week that you organised it for me and it had nothing to do with Luca.’
‘Did he?’ Xavier took a sip of his cocktail and avoided my eyes.
‘Why didn’t you tell me?’
Xavier shrugged, ‘Luca claimed it as his own and I couldn’t show him up in his own chalet. It would have ruined your birthday if I’d argued with him and you looked so happy when you saw it all.’
‘I thought it seemed strange that he’d got everything so spot on, but you were both so convincing that he’d organised it.’ I shook my head.
‘Luca shouldn’t have even been there; he was meant to be in Paris. He forgot his passport and came back for it as I was finishing everything off. Then we got into an argument about Lavedrine X and you walked in.’
‘It’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me, and I gave the credit to the wrong man. I feel like such an idiot.’
‘I’m sorry, Holly. It wasn’t anything to do with your birthday for him. He just wanted to show me who’s boss. I had to suck it up and let it go.’
‘And let me go too?’ I whispered.
Xavier nodded wistfully. ‘What’s done is done. It’s too late now,’ he said, taking a swig of his drink.
‘Is it?’ I took Xavier’s hand, which was warm and soft. ‘Maybe it’s not too late. Maybe there’s still a chance for something?’
Xavier looked me straight in the eyes as the balcony doors rattled open and Liv came out bum first carrying a box of fireworks. She was followed by two sturdy men in yellow overalls and black rubber boots – fire marshals at the ready for the finale display.
‘Alright you two – not missing anything important, am I?’ she shouted with a wink, as she led them into the garden. We watched as the three of them set about wedging differently shaped fireworks into the soil, working away with a tape measure to ensure they were far enough from the pine trees to trace a clear path into the sky. Xavier was still holding my hand as we sipped our drinks. Eventually, he turned to me, and I held my breath.
‘I know I’ve missed my chance, but…’ Xavier started.
‘You haven’t missed your chance,’ I interrupted, squeezing his hand.
‘Haven’t I?’ His eyes searched mine, not understanding. I leant in and kissed him softly on the lips to make it crystal clear.
‘I didn’t even know there was a chance until two weeks ago,’ I said, looking away shyly. ‘I thought you were married?’ I traced my finger along the stitching of his lapel; his chest was bursting out of his suit and my heart gave a little flutter.
‘I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I had to be sure I could trust you, as Christina and I need to be married for another year at least before she can stay permanently in France.’
Xavier pulled me towards him and kissed me hard, his hand on my cheek. It felt so perfect, so right to be here in his arms, but I couldn’t help feeling a tiny bit heartbroken that this was our first genuine kiss and might also be our last. Time had run out for us and now it was all happening too late.
‘This can’t be the end,’ I said, as the first firework shot into the air, signalling the start of the display. Genevieve led everyone out onto the balcony in a posh conga to watch as the sky exploded in a shower of colour, fireworks banging and screeching. She looked down and caught my eye, giving me a knowing smile.
