It’s all about trust. I never thought I’d share with anyone a scene I’d pushed way back into the attic of my mind. And now I’ve shared my worst experience, something that scarred me, with Ronan. In the intervening years I chose only to remember the satisfying moment when my fist hit the target and my assailant crumpled to the floor. I like to think that the shock of my instant reaction taught him a lesson he’s never forgotten.
23
The Best-Laid Plans
Even after Ronan reluctantly heads off home, the joy of a blissful night together leaves me wrapped in my own little bubble of happiness. Everything looks different – brighter, more vibrant – and I feel alive in a way I never have before. I catch myself singing out loud as I get ready to face a new day and I can’t remember the last time I did that.
I promised I would help Solange with the preparations for tomorrow’s party, but this morning it hasn’t stopped raining. Even the weather can’t dampen my positivity and I look up at the sky, willing those clouds to move on. As I stare across at number one, she waves across at me from Renée’s sitting room. Swinging open the window a few inches, I do the same.
‘It’s beginning to brighten up,’ I call out, optimistically. ‘Fancy a cup of coffee?’
She puts up her thumb and disappears. I head downstairs to let her in, as she runs across the courtyard holding one of Renée’s black cardigans over her hair.
‘Thanks, Lexie. Renée is working on the surprise engagement cake, so I’m not allowed in the kitchen.’ She literally jumps in over the doorstep as I make way for her.
‘The kettle is boiled. White, black, sugar, no sugar?’
‘Black, one sugar, please.’
‘Come on up and take a seat on the sofa. I reckon another hour and it’s going to ease off. At least everything will be nice and fresh. And the forecast for tomorrow is a little cloud, but mainly sunshine!’
She folds Renée’s cardigan up very carefully and I point to the corner.
‘There’s a clothes rack. Might as well hang that up and it will be dry by the time you head back. What’s the plan of action?’
I fill the mugs and carry them across to the sofa. Solange joins me, tucking her hair behind her ears as she flops down onto the soft cushions.
‘Well, the food is covered. In fact, we have way too much. Philippe is sorting out the drinks and he has two cocktails on the menu. One is non-alcoholic. A friend is going to drop off a delivery of metal tables and chairs in a little while. When it dries up—’ she holds up crossed fingers and grimaces ‘—perhaps you could help me set them up?’
‘Of course. How about tomorrow? Anything specific I can help with?’
She leans back, her body sagging, and smiles at me.
‘I had no idea planning a little party took so much energy. Imagine when we get married! I think I will employ one of those wedding planners, because it’s all too much for me.’ She feigns wiping her forehead with the back of her hand, and it makes me smile.
‘Says the woman who expertly organises large press conferences and promotional events,’ I comment.
‘Yes, but this is not easy. It started small and it’s growing. How can I say no when everyone keeps adding names? If they all turn up it will be madness,’ she declares.
‘Okay – let’s plan for the worst-case scenario. Instead of a long row of tables in the centre of the courtyard, let’s put them around the outside edge. No one will mind and then if it gets crowded there will be a large area for people to stand and mingle.’
Solange nods her head, her face brightening considerably.
‘Good idea. Perhaps to put the food table in front of Renée’s cottage and it will be easy to go in and out of the kitchen to replenish the platters.’
‘How about I open up the garage door in the morning and we put the bar up in front of it? Philippe can store everything safely inside and we can use my fridge if we need to keep anything chilled. How does that sound?’
She picks up her mug and holds it aloft.
‘To a wonderful friend in my time of need,’ she says, and we chink.
‘So, what else does that leave?’
‘Well, we have lots of flowers coming tomorrow to decorate the tables. They will need trimming and placing into jam jars as table centres. We also have some bunting to string between the trees. And I thought we were keeping it simple, but I have been overruled because Philippe says we must have a fountain. A fountain!’ She shrugs her shoulders, but I can see she’s excited by the thought.
‘Look, the rain has already eased off,’ I point out. We head over to the window and stare up at the clouds as they continue to part and a watery sun peeks through at last. ‘And there’s a rainbow. Oh, my, and Renée’s cottage is directly beneath it.’
Solange’s face is a picture of happiness. It won’t be long before we can make a start, and whatever we get done today makes tomorrow’s workload lighter. A vehicle pulls up at the gate and as it swings open Solange’s face pales.
‘What’s wrong?’ I ask, assuming this is the neighbour in the corner, the one Renée said will be here for the party.
‘That’s my papa. We knew Maman was coming, but he refused.’ She takes a step back away from the window.
‘But this is good news, isn’t it?’
Solange is clearly flustered.
‘He has never met Philippe and Papa is not a timid man. He will say exactly how he feels. This could ruin everything tomorrow if he decides to be difficult.’
I thought she’d be eager to go and greet them, but instead she heads straight back to collapse down on the sofa.
‘Maman booked a hotel, so hopefully they are only coming to pay their respects to Renée. Can I stay here until they leave?’
‘Of course, you can.’
There’s a lull in our conversation and I don’t quite know what to say. I can see how unsettled she is now. Solange gazes down, idly, at the items on the coffee table.
‘Is this your work?’ she asks, pointing to the little stacks of notebooks.
‘No. I use the table as my office. These belong to my grandma. Ronan and I have been working through them to piece together her year at Versailles.’
‘But that’s amazing. I knew Ronan was throwing himself into something new as I hardly see him these days unless it’s with you, filming. How exciting.’
Something new? I don’t think he’s spending that much time on it. But maybe she isn’t aware he’s putting the finishing touches to the last book in his series.
‘It’s mostly drawings and the sort of things you’d expect a horticultural student to record.’
The sound of a car door slamming has Solange up out of her seat again, to peer very gingerly out of the window.
‘That was a quick visit. As I would expect. Papa will, no doubt, feel awkward and Maman, too, if he is not talkative. Oh, why did he change his mind?’ She slips into her native tongue and speaks so fast I only catch a few words of every sentence. Her eyes are blazing, and she sounds angry, almost bitter.
When it’s obvious I’m a little taken aback, she immediately halts and raises one hand by way of apology. ‘I’m sorry. I want tomorrow to be a happy memory with no upsets and now I cannot guarantee that will be the case. He has had a year to make amends, so I fear his intention is to find fault with my plans for a life here.’