Aunt Daisy's Letter

by S J Crabb

As I pour myself a coffee, I almost have to pinch myself. This is amazing, I never thought I would be so happy in such a basic environment. I’m used to all the mod cons modern living dishes out and I love my material possessions and such luxuries as hot and cold running water and heating that actually works. However, it appears that I can stand the most basic of conditions if Finn is by my side because ever since I’ve met him, we have struggled against adversity.

  He interrupts my thoughts by heading into the room dressed only in a towel slung around his waist and my mouth goes dry. Wow!

  Seeing Finn almost naked is a fantasy come true. As I thought, he has an extremely muscular body which is decorated with some very interesting tattoos. He is clean shaven and strangely tanned for winter and as I openly stare, I see a small scar running across his abdomen and he says lightly, “Appendix.”

  Blinking, I look up into his amused face and he points to the scar, “I had it removed last year. It was quite aggressive and I was in hospital for a week with this one.”

  Feeling a little ashamed that he caught me staring, I quickly pour him a coffee and say with a squeak, “You must be freezing, drink this.”

  He sits on the kitchen chair and I try to focus on the peeling paint on the wall behind him because seeing him partially naked is too much of a distraction. As he sips his coffee, he says lightly, “You know, we could always tick off one of your items today.”

  “What items?”

  He grins mischievously. “Paint a naked man.”

  In complete surprise, to my utmost horror, I spit my coffee across the table and look up in shock. “Why would I do that, I’ve already crossed it off my list?”

  “I know, but as you admitted, you didn’t actually paint the man, they painted you. Well, now’s your chance.”

  Shaking my head, I fumble for every excuse under the sun. “I don’t have the materials, sad but true. Never mind, maybe another time.”

  “I found these in the cupboard in the bedroom.”

  He nods towards the window sill, where a sketch book and what appears to be a tub of pens and pencils sits mocking me.

  Quickly, I think of an excuse. “Oh no, that’s not the same. It says paint a naked man. Never mind, thanks for trying.”

  Finn laughs softly. “Well, I think you should alter it and draw a naked man, you see, Lily, you may have ticked that one off but what about me?”

  “You?”

  “Yes, we’re in this together and maybe it’s on my list to pose for an artist naked, are you really going to deny me my wish?”

  I start to feel incredibly hot and say weakly, “I couldn’t, it wouldn’t be right.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because it’s rude and just a little intimate. To be honest, I wouldn’t know where to look.”

  I almost think he’s given up, but then he says firmly, “No, I insist. I think it will break down any barriers between us, and I’m kind of interested to see how skilful you are. Come on, Lily, where’s your sense of adventure? I’m game if you are.”

  His mocking grin makes my mind up for me. He thinks I’ll continue to say no, which gives him the power to mock me still further, so I pretend to think and then say, “Ok.”

  He looks surprised. “Ok, are you sure?”

  “Yes, you’re right, Finn, maybe it will break down some barriers. Now you come to mention it, I think it’s a fantastic idea. After all, who am I to deny you your wish. So, let me get comfortable and I think you can arrange yourself on the chair by the window. Make sure I can see everything because I am, after all, an experienced model myself. If we’re going to do this, then we will do it professionally and properly.”

  I almost think he’ll laugh it off, but then I see the challenge in his eyes as he drops the towel with no words spoken. Resisting the urge to look away immediately, I busy myself with the pens and paper and pretend to be engrossed in setting them up.

  I hear Finn scrape the chair over to the window and my heart starts racing critically. I can’t believe I’m actually doing this. What on earth was Aunt Daisy thinking when she listed this as an option? I wonder if she ever painted Luca?

  Trying hard not to make eye contact with my exuberant model, he shouts, “Ready!”

  Feeling the heat travel through me as I struggle to breathe, I glance up and smile. “Great, now quiet please, a maestro is at work.”

  For a moment, there is silence as we both adjust to this weird situation. As I start to sketch out his outline, it becomes increasingly obvious to me that I can’t draw. The outline looks nothing like him, and I feel embarrassed as I realise he will want to see the result.

  After a while, he says loudly, “So, how does it feel?”

  “What?”

  “Drawing me. Have you got over your nerves?”

  “What nerves, who said I was nervous? I’m a professional artist who does this all the time.”

  He laughs, and I allow a small smile to grace my lips. It’s fun teasing Finn and I like the fact he gives more than he gets. It makes things interesting, and as I settle into my task, I am astonished to find the embarrassment is lessening by the minute.

  I even begin to laugh to myself, as I see the ridiculous drawing emerge from the hand of a novice. Goodness, it looks as if a child drew him, and even a stick man has more perspective than this.

  Suddenly, my phone rings and I see it’s my mum and look up apologetically. “Sorry, I should get this, it’s my mother and I haven’t spoken to her since I left, do you mind?”

  “Of course not, carry on.”

  Balancing the phone in one hand, I answer it, “Hi, mum. How’s things?”

  “Oh, you’re alive then. Goodness me, darling, anyone would think you forgot how technology works. For all I knew, you could have been murdered.”

  Fighting the urge to giggle, I say slowly, “Nobody’s getting murdered, mum, quite the contrary. I’m having a great time.”

  “Ok, what’s it like – the Château, I mean? I bet it’s amazing, like Versailles.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous, it’s nothing like Versailles.”

  Finn laughs softly and I roll my eyes, as mum says with interest. “So, are you coping with the language? I’m guessing this is one situation you can’t google your way out of.”

  “I don’t need to; I have an interpreter.”

  “Oh yes, what’s she like?”

  “He.”

  “He! A man! Are you seriously telling me you’re away in a foreign country alone with a man?”

  “Yes.”

  I’m quite enjoying this conversation because obviously the devil has taken up residence in my better judgement and I can’t appear to stop.

  Mum shouts, “David, Lily’s with a man in France. What do you think about that?”

  I hear a muffled conversation and giggle again as mum says in a whisper, “Dad’s concerned. We both are. It’s Aunt Daisy all over again, this time with the French. Now listen, darling and take this in because you’re in a vulnerable state and liable to do things you wouldn’t normally.”

  “Like what?”

  “Well, um, I’m just saying that Mr Bianci’s story may have messed with your mind. Now, if this French man asks you to do anything strange, report him to the gendarmes immediately. I’ve seen it all before. These men prey on young vulnerable girls shrouded in grief and you will succumb to it. Maybe it’s best if I join you and help out, after all, we don’t want a repeat performance of Aunt Daisy’s tragedy.”

  “Mum you’re so dramatic. Aunt Daisy never had a tragedy, she was just careful. I’m not in the same situation as she was in the slightest, so give me a little credit, will you?”

  Suddenly, I hear an ear-splitting scream and mum shouts, “What’s that, Lily, are you ok, what’s happening? David, something's happened, I think Lily’s been murdered by a French man.”

  I look up and see a young girl standing in the doorway covering her eyes with one hand, holding a basket of patisserie in the other. Finn starts laughing as
he scrambles for his towel to cover his modesty. Mum is shouting, “David dial the French police immediately! I’ll keep on the line just in case the murderer gives himself away.”

  “For goodness’ sake, mum, I haven’t been murdered. It’s a local girl who's just freaked out because there’s a naked man in the room.”

  “Naked man, good god, what sort of place is that with naked men running around willy nilly?”

  I start to laugh and the tears roll down my face as mum shrieks, “David, there’s a naked man running around, call the gendarmes immediately.”

  “Mum! Stop, please, it’s just my interpreter and I was sort of painting him to tick off an item on the bucket list.”

  “The list! For goodness’ sake, Lily, tear it up at once, it will be the death of you.”

  I see Finn saying something to the young girl who peers between her fingers before lowering her hand.

  Quickly, I say, “Mum, I’ve got to go, it appears that the bread delivery has arrived.”

  I quickly cut the call and stare at Finn in horror, who appears to be finding this whole fiasco very amusing. Turning to the girl holding the basket of patisseries, he says something in French and she smiles shyly at me. “Bonjour, mademoiselle. Je m'appelle Sophie.”

  “Bonjour Sophie, je m’appelle Lily.”

  I smile sweetly as Finn takes the basket from her hand and hands her some euros, which she places in her pocket carefully. “Sophie lives in the village and delivers baskets of food orders. I placed a daily bread basket order with her when I arrived.”

  Smiling like the village idiot, I hiss, “Tell her nothing rude was going on. Tell her we were embracing French culture.”

  Finn grins and rattles off something in French and Sophie giggles. “What did you say?”

  “That you were rather eccentric and liked to paint naked men. I told her you were practicing for an upcoming exhibition in London and not to be afraid.”

  I just stare at him in disbelief and say faintly, “But this was your idea, not mine. It will be all around the village in no time that a weirdo has taken up residence here.”

  Finn laughs again and Sophie says something that makes him laugh even harder.

  “What did she say?” I smile normally as I say it because Sophie is now openly staring at me with interest.

  “She would like to see the drawing, if she’s allowed.”

  Still smiling, I say through gritted teeth, “Tell her no, it’s not finished. In fact, nobody can see it, tell her I’m a very private person and nobody sees my Art until it’s finished and only the ones that pass my stringent quality tests.”

  Finn starts speaking with animation and they laugh, leaving me feeling extremely uncomfortable. Then Sophie nods and says politely, “Au revoir, Lily, bonne chance avec le dessin.”

  She nods to Finn and heads back outside and Finn says with a twinkle in his eye, “She said good luck with the drawing.”

  “I’m going to need more than luck, it’s actually really bad.”

  “Can I see it?”

  “Absolutely not.”

  “Why, I’m sure it can’t be that bad?”

  Groaning, I take another look at my ‘masterpiece’ and giggle. “I think a baby could do better than this. Maybe I should take lessons, it’s obviously a technique that is learned rather than a natural talent. Anyway, that went a bit wrong, didn’t it? I suppose I had better call my parents back to reassure them that I’m ok before they arrive on my doorstep with Interpol.”

  “I doubt that.”

  “Then you don’t know my mother.”

  He shakes his head. “Actually, there is no Interpol team. They don’t have actual officers.”

  I stare at him in surprise. “Since when? Is it because of Brexit, are we banned from that now?”

  He starts to laugh. “No, they never did. It’s just a government organisation.”

  “How do you know so much?”

  He grins. “I know a lot of useless information. Brilliant if I’m on a quiz team, or crosswords, they are usually good for a man full of useless information.”

  “Well, that’s very nice for you, but it still doesn’t keep my mother from heading out here with some form of crack team in tow. I’ll give her a call while you put some clothes on. I can’t believe the day hasn’t even started properly yet and we’re already the talk of the town.”

  Finn heads off and I can hear him laughing, which makes me smile. Yes, life is a lot more interesting with Finley Roberts around and I’m loving every minute of it.

  ♥29

  Despite the strange start, we are soon busy doing what we came here for. The builders arrive and Finn spends most of his day organising them and making sure they have everything they need. After making the usual endless cups of coffee, I decide to explore this amazing place and set off with my phone to capture some great shots.

  The more time I spend here, the deeper I fall in love with it. It needs a complete overhaul, but even in its dilapidated state, it’s pretty impressive. Just walking through the weed-strewn gardens is enough to calm my soul. It’s as if we’re millions of miles from anywhere, and the chill in the air does nothing to dampen my spirits. All around is glorious space with just nature for company. Some may find it a little isolating, but after the hustle and bustle of London, I love it. I can see why people move to the country because it’s so different to the city. Even the air is sharper and purer and nothing seems urgent.

  The Château is a jewel in a very tarnished crown. It could be stunning but somehow even in its uncared-for state, its breathless. As I walk around the lake, I see my reflection in the murky water and it strikes me that when you break it down, the only person who walks by your side in life for the entire time, is yourself. Others come and go and enrich it but ultimately, you owe it to yourself to do what’s best for you. Nurture your soul and happiness will follow.

  “Lily, wait up!”

  Turning around, I see Finn waving madly and racing towards me. As I wait for him to catch up, I feel the flutters once again as I see the impressive man heading my way. I wonder what it would be like to walk with Finn just part of the way through my life. He would probably annoy me, but we would have fun, that’s guaranteed.

  He reaches me and grins. “I wondered where you went. The builders are heading off and I thought we could do something.”

  “What did you have in mind?”

  “We could head into the nearest town and take a look, or go for a walk, it’s your choice.”

  Thinking of the town doesn’t seem as appealing as a walk, which surprises me. Normally, I’m raring to get to civilisation and if there are shops, I’m in heaven. However, here it doesn’t seem as important to me. Even just the walk around the lake is lifting my spirits much more than any shopping trip I’ve been on, unless you count the time I attended a sale preview evening at Karen Millen, I was beyond excited about that.

  Smiling, I say to my surprise, “Shall we just walk.”

  Finn nods and falls into step beside me. “You know, I was thinking.”

  “Steady on Finn, you don’t want to over reach yourself.”

  He rolls his eyes and takes my hand as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I wondered if you’ve ever been skiing?”

  “No, I haven’t.” I look at him in surprise because it seems like a very random comment, but he looks quite animated. “There’s a place not far from here where we could go. I’ve made enquiries and we could hire all the equipment we need and head over there tomorrow if you like. I could teach you and it would be a great addition to the bucket list, don’t you think?”

  “Maybe, maybe not, I mean, I’m a bit clumsy if I’m honest and what if I break something? I’ve heard so many terrible stories of accidents and everything. Shouldn’t I enrol in ski school first rather than just head up the slopes with just a wing and a prayer?”

  “No, you’ll be fine. I’m a good skier and we can practice on the lower slopes first. I think you’ll be amazing,
come on, let’s go and have some fun.”

  He looks so excited, I don’t have the heart to disappoint him, even though I am dreading the thought of it. Honestly, what on earth is he thinking? I’ve had zero time to prepare for this and feel a little lightheaded as I think about it.

  Finn looks a little concerned. “What’s the matter, don’t you like the idea?”

  “What, skiing, of course, it sounds like fun.”

  “Then what’s bothering you?”

  Sighing, I decide to lay it out there. It’s pointless keeping it to myself and so I sigh heavily. “It’s just I don’t like the idea of wearing just any old random stuff. What if I don’t like the colour and it clashes with my hair? What if it’s old and worn and, god forbid, too big? I’ll look a complete mess in somebody else’s clothes and who knows who’s been in them before. Quite honestly, Finn, I’m hyperventilating at the thought of wearing orange, that would be a disaster.”

  Finn starts to laugh and I stare at him angrily. “What’s so funny?”

  “You are. On the one hand, you’re up for adventure and not afraid of anything it seems. But no, as it happens wearing hand-me-downs is a step too far even for someone as adventurous as you are. Why don’t you just think of them as vintage and customise them, or something?”

  “With what?”

  He shrugs. “A scarf maybe, or that fur hat you brought with you. You know, you will look amazing, you always do.”

  I say thoughtfully, “Hmm, you could be right, although I doubt I’ll wear a scarf. I have a bad track record with them and it could literally be my downfall.”

  We walk for a while in silence as I think up ways to rock my vintage ski outfit. After a while, Finn says a little sadly, “You know, I’m really enjoying spending time with you, Lily. I thought I would, but you are such fun to be around. I’ll miss this when we have to return home.”

  For once I don’t reply with a smart comment because the thought had crossed my mind already. Trying to be positive, I say lightly, “It will be fine. We’ll just have adventures at home instead. I’m sure we could make time for them at the weekends or something, after all, isn’t it right that you always make time for the things you enjoy the most?”