Finding Mother

by Allen, Anne

  ‘Are you sure you’ll be all right on your own? You’d be welcome to stay with us for as long…’

  ‘I’ll be fine, don’t worry. Most of the time I’ll be at Ben’s working on the garden and with a bit of luck he’ll be offering to feed me as payment in lieu.’

  They hugged before Hélène moved off to the car, giving Adrian a chance to say goodbye.

  ‘Don’t forget we’re expecting you and Ben round for dinner on Sunday and you know you’re welcome to call round any time. And any problems with the house, just give me a shout.’ He threw his arms around her and kissed her cheek. Nicole felt a twinge of uncertainty about being in the vast house on her own, she would miss them both. But they were newly married and she didn’t want to play gooseberry. So, forcing a smile, she waved them off before turning back into the house.

  A week later a letter from Nicole’s solicitor arrived. The decree nisi had been granted and in six weeks she would be single again. Letting out a cheer, she sent a text to Ben at work, saying she’d like to take him out to dinner that night. His answering text, ‘Great, thanks xx’, arrived moments later and, smiling, she rang to book a table at Le Nautique in Town. Then it was time to spend a few hours in Ben’s garden, a job she found surprisingly rewarding.

  Later, as she leaned on the fork, Nicole surveyed the progress she’d made in such a short time. Where there had been bare, stony earth there were now pockets of colourful shrubs and plants luxuriating in freshly applied compost. She had splashed out on mature shrubs such as acacia, daphne, berberis and ceanothus, set amongst bamboo, fig, olive and palm trees to give the garden instant impact. Large containers of geraniums, lavender, petunias and dianthus dotted around the terrace created the desired Mediterranean look. Guernsey’s mild climate encouraged more adventurous planting than that seen anywhere but the far south in England, and Nicole was copying ideas from her parents’ Spanish garden.

  After a quick shower she changed into a short strappy dress and her silver sandals, ready for the planned night out. Ben arrived home at six, wanting to know if they were celebrating something.

  ‘You haven’t got a buyer for the house already, have you?’ he asked, giving her a hug.

  ‘Nooo, although the agent says there’s a lot of interest.’ Cupping his face in her hands, she planted a lingering kiss on his lips before adding, ‘but we’re celebrating my decree nisi!’

  Ben whistled.

  ‘That’s great! So you’re virtually a free woman again. Definitely cause for celebration. How about you join me upstairs while I, um, change?’ His wandering hands leaving her in no doubt as to his meaning, Nicole laughed and hurried up the stairs close on his heels.

  Their table was the best in the restaurant; enjoying an uninterrupted view over the Victoria Marina towards Herm, Sark and beyond. Ben looked suitably impressed as they took their seats. Nicole, on a high, ordered a bottle of Veuve Clicquot as an aperitif and smiled at Ben.

  ‘This is my treat remember, and I can afford it. The solicitor’s letter said that Tom has agreed to pay me the £300,000 for my share of the house. I’ll receive it when the decree absolute comes through in six weeks.’

  Ben cocked his head on one side, saying ‘You know, I could get used to this high life. The thought of being a gigolo is beginning to appeal to me. I might even give up work…’

  She reached across the table, playfully slapping his hand.

  ‘No way, José! I’m not keeping anyone and you know you love your job. Just think of all those devastated patients if you dropped out. No, we’ll both work to keep boredom at bay. Although if I were to get pregnant…’ She had a sudden vision of herself holding a newborn baby and her heart flipped.

  Ben must have sensed her distraction because he said, ‘Look, I think we’ve a lot to talk about, but can we order the food first because I’m starving!’

  Laughing, Nicole agreed and they read through the menus, both choosing the chef’s hors d’oeuvres to start, followed by grilled lobster.

  As the waiter disappeared with their order, Ben held her hand and appeared to be coming to a decision.

  ‘I’ve been thinking. Now you have your decree there’s no reason why you can’t move in with me. I can hardly be cited at this stage and who’s to know if Tom’s not already shacked up with someone? So, how about it?’

  Nicole smiled broadly. It was what she hoped he’d say, but it still felt good to hear it.

  ‘Yes, that’s a great idea. I won’t have so far to travel to work for one thing.’ She grinned mischievously.

  ‘Mm, is that the best you can come up with?’ His eyes locked onto hers and she didn’t hesitate.

  ‘Apart from the fact that I love you and can’t wait to be with you. Will that do?’

  Ben’s smile matched her own.

  ‘That’ll do nicely. Santé!’

  epilogue

  Three months later, Nicole arrived home one Friday at Santa Rosa, tired after a busy week at work. With Christmas just around the corner, there had been numerous events to be covered for her news programme. At least it was the weekend and she could relax, with two whole days to enjoy chilling out with Ben. The thought brought a smile to her face as she skipped upstairs to shower and change.

  She was chopping vegetables for their supper when Ben’s key turned in the lock. Calling out, ‘I’m in the kitchen,’ she poured a glass of wine ready for him.

  ‘Hi, darling. How was your day?’ Ben asked, planting a kiss on her proffered cheek.

  ‘Fine. Did you hear what happened at White Rock today?’ Nicole filled him in with the latest news while Ben, loosening his tie, sat on a bar stool and sipped his wine.

  They had slipped effortlessly into a relaxed, easy relationship, as if they’d known each other years instead of months. Nicole still couldn’t believe her luck in being with someone whom she loved to bits, and who made it clear how much he loved her in return. She’d never felt happier and, judging by Ben’s Cheshire Cat smile these past months, he was also pretty happy. Her decree absolute had come through in October and her bank account now looked incredibly healthy. Any regrets she might have had about the end of her marriage to Tom never came into being. She knew that, whatever happened between her and Ben, Tom was history. And the icing on the cake was the imminent sale of La Folie, at the asking price of four million pounds. The only fly in the ointment was Ben’s continued refusal to let Nicole use her money on the house.

  ‘So, what’s for dinner tonight? I’m hungry!’ Ben smiled, his head on one side.

  ‘Well, would Sir be happy with the finest rump steak, accompanied with mushrooms, being chopped as we speak, tomatoes and potatoes dauphinoise, already in the oven?’

  He grinned. ‘You know, you’re turning into quite a good cook. You just needed a good teacher.’ She threw a tea towel at him. Ben had been teaching her, but she’d always known how to cook, just hadn’t had much time in her previous life. Taking on board Hélène’s advice, she’d even started baking, much to Ben’s surprise and delight.

  Later that evening they sat curled up on the sofa, replete after the delicious meal. Nicole mentioned that she planned to visit Jeanne over the weekend.

  ‘How is she? And the baby?’

  ‘They’re both fine. Jeanne’s very tired, but sounded so happy on the phone. She says she just wants to curl up with baby Harry on the sofa all day. Nick’s gone back to work but became a dab hand at nappy changing and feeding while he was at home. By the sound of it, Jeanne misses his help. I might offer to take Harry out for a walk to give her a break; would you like to come?’

  ‘Okay, if I’ve finished painting that bedroom door.’ He twisted his body so that he faced her. ‘Um, there’s something I’d like to ask you. In fact I’ve been thinking about it for a while.’

  ‘Oh? Sounds ominous!’ She looked at his serious looking face.

  He moved quickly and, before she could register what was happening, knelt down on one knee and grabbed her
hand.

  ‘Would you do me the indescribable honour of becoming my wife, my darling, darling Nicole?’

  She giggled. ‘Oh! Of course I will! Although the honour’s…’ She was silenced by a long, lingering kiss.

  ‘Good. That’s a relief! Can I get up now?’ Ben grinned as he threw himself back on the sofa. ‘I know it’s the family tradition to use the ring Eve left you, but if you prefer I could buy you a new one.’

  ‘The family ring would be perfect. I’ll fetch it, hang on.’

  She returned moments later and handed Ben the velvet box. He took out the ring and slowly slipped it onto her ring finger. The emerald and diamonds glittered under the lights. Nicole’s heart hammered in her chest, as if it would burst with happiness. Flinging her arms around Ben she ensured that he knew exactly how happy she was.

  The next morning, after a round of phone calls to all the parents – two sets for her and one for him – the newly engaged couple sat down to breakfast with huge grins on their faces. Nicole had got on well with Ben’s parents from the first moment they met, just after moving in with him, and Ben now passed on their congratulations.

  ‘We’ve been invited round for dinner tomorrow, if that’s okay with you? Mum’s also keen to know if we’ve set the date, but I told her we haven’t discussed it yet.’

  ‘Hélène and Mum asked me too. There’s no hurry, I’ve only been divorced a month! But I’ve always liked the idea of a spring wedding, my last was in winter and everyone was freezing.’ Nicole nibbled on her toast, picturing herself in a slinky strapless bridal grown. ‘Will we be able to marry in church as I’m divorced?’

  Ben, putting down his coffee, said, ‘I think some of the clergy here are okay with it. I’ll check. Would you mind if it was a register office wedding?’

  Nicole shook her head.

  ‘No, anywhere would be fine with me, as long as we’re married.’ She reached for his hand. ‘There is one condition, though.’

  ‘Oh? And what’s that?’

  ‘I want you to let me hire professionals to finish the house. So that you don’t have to spend precious free time on DIY. And so that, if and when we start a family, we’ll have a nursery all ready for our mini Tostevin. Agreed?’ Nicole tilted her head, smiling broadly.

  Ben sighed an exaggerated sigh.

  ‘All right. Agreed.’

  I live in Devon, by my beloved sea, near one of my three children and two grandchildren. My restless spirit has meant a number of moves, the longest stay being in Guernsey for fourteen years after falling in love with the island and the people. I contrived to leave one son behind to ensure a valid reason for frequent returns. By profession a psychotherapist, I've now written two novels, the first being Dangerous Waters.

  Authors rely on reader reviews to gain more readers, so if you've enjoyed this book please take a few moments to leave a review on Amazon or even Goodreads. I'd be very grateful!

  To learn more about me and my books please visit my website www.anneallen.co.uk

  Also by Anne Allen

  Dangerous Waters

  Praise for Dangerous Waters

  ‘The island of Guernsey is so vividly evoked one feels as if one is walking its byways. An atmospheric and tantalising read.’ Elizabeth Bailey, author of The Gilded Shroud

  ''I loved Anne's flow of writing, her romantic storyline and well-presented characters'. Bex 'N' Books

  ‘A wonderfully crafted story with a perfect balance of intrigue and romance.' The Wishing Shelf Awards, 22 July 2013 – Dangerous Waters