A New Vintage
Part 3
Max came down the stairs to see the table set and candles lit all around the room, he smiled to himself at Ludvine’s efforts to creat a romantic atmosphere. He hadn’t seen Donna since she arrived and he went through to the kitchen where Ludvine was ladling soup into bowls.
“She is there, I took her a bottle wine and two glasses…go, go.” She shooed him out of the kitchen toward the patio.
“You look like a picture yourself,” he smiled taking a seat opposite her and filling his glass.
Donna smiled at him, “You clean up nicely, get your chickens sorted out?”
“Ah, well,” he made a face, “after all that work I can’t close the garage doors so I suspect they will be back tonight. Did you take your pictures?”
“Tons, I can’t thank you enough for the opportunity to photograph this estate. I will do some discreet editing, you won’t be bothered by tourists.”
“Good; I hate bloody tourists.” He took a drink from his glass.
Donna bit her lip, still touchy there. “I understand you grew up here, that must have been wonderful for a young boy.”
“It was, my parents died when I was young and Uncle Henry took me in, sent me back to England to school. I spent all my holidays here. I love this place.”
“After spending the afternoon wandering around the grounds I can understand why. You were very fortunate to have such an Uncle.”
“Yes…I was. I’ve loved two people in my life and now they are both dead. I think the gods are trying to tell me something.”
Ludvine appeared to tell him dinner was on the table and would he be so kind as to show the lady in.
“It’s as charming on the inside as out,” Donna declared as they walked through to the table Ludvine had prepared.”
“I’ll give you a tour later if you’d like.”
“I would like, Christie told me a lot about this place, she’s very happy here.”
“I know but I think she did the right thing by going back and finishing school. This place is not going anywhere. You and she must be very close.”
“She’s the only one from California I keep in touch with. We were best friends in school. We spent a lot of time together after her mother died, she came and stayed with us.”
“So you were her Uncle Henry?”
“Not quite, my parents were I guess. Christie went to the university and my parents got a divorce and I decided I didn’t particulary like either one of them at the time, I took photography courses at the local tech school and then left home. I haven’t been back since. Right now I don’t really have a base.”
“A base, is that what you call a home?”
“There’s a difference, I really don’t have either I live out of a suitcase. I really hate I missed her.”
“Did she tell you about me?”
“Yes you’re the only family she has now. I’m sorry about your fiancee, Max.”
“She did tell you about me then, thank you.”
“Your Madame Duflot is a very good cook, this is excellent.”
“I’ll convey your compliments. What will you do after you send in your photos, what’s next on your schedule?”
“I spent a year in England and I had intended to spend a year in France but I’ve an assignment in Spain so I guess that’s where I’m headed.”
“Oh, when are you leaving?”
“In two weeks…”
“So soon?”
“Yes…I’ve been in France for eight months, spent three in Paris…how do you mean…so soon?”
“Well…we’ve only just met, that’s hardly time enough to get to know someone…if you wanted to know someone.”
“Hmm does someone want to know someone?”
“It crossed my mind.”
Donna met his eyes, “I have two weeks and after I develop the photos I took today and do a little work on them, I’m free.”
“Where are you staying in Marseille?”
“A tiny nook of a room overlooking a cliff.”
“Would you like to come and stay here?” He asked.
“I would love to.” She answered feeling mighty bold and reckless.
“Good, that’s settled then.” He lifted his glass and touched hers and smiled. Uncle Henry would indeed have been proud of his nephew.