Chapter 14

Sylvain

O n our way back to the resort, we visited Cannes, the heat and sun in stark contrast to the crisp mountain air.

We had lunch at a small cafe I frequented when in town. We dined on beef bourguignon with plenty of fresh, crusty bread, but Vince declined the wine. He didn't seem to be over the events of the previous day, but that was fine. Tipsy Vince was funny, but I much preferred the Vince sitting with me now.

He was clever and insightful with hidden depths I wanted to explore, but we had such limited time together, and I wanted him to experience the beauty and diversity the south of France had to offer. Had we more time, I'd have taken him to Monaco, Italy, and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. The old charming fishing village had been home to the smallest independent porn studio until the untimely death of both its owners.

I'd met them briefly at a party. Barbara had been more than a handful but lively, with a good business head. I'd been sad to hear of their passing but understood the villa had been left to good friends of theirs.

"So, it is back to work for you on Monday?" Vince was daydreaming, people-watching. He drank in his surroundings, absorbing everything around him.

"Hmm? Oh, yes. Back to the day job, although being here has opened my eyes to the world. I've never left England before."

"What is it you do again?" We hadn't covered his profession.

"I work in IT, for my sins. I don't hate it, but I'm sure there's more to life than that."

"The grass always seems greener. Is that what you say?"

"We do, yes, but I definitely think there's more to life than working nine to five."

"Like Dolly Parton?" I was a little confused.

"Just like Dolly Parton. Don't tell me you're a fan."

"Not of country music, no, but doesn't everyone know that song?"

Working nine to five, I sang in my croaky French voice.

Ain't no way to make a living, he continued. We laughed, comfortable in each other's presence.

Silence fell as life carried on around us. I'd not known him long, just a short week, but he'd proven to be a warm-hearted companion, someone I could talk to, laugh with, and spend time with.

Nothing forced. He was genuine and unassuming, and these past few days, I'd got to know him a little better, although there were things he'd yet to tell me. Hopefully, we'd have time for that.

I knew he thought this was a holiday romance for me, that I wouldn't follow through on my promise to go to Theo's wedding with him.

I'd encouraged him to reach out to his friend. It was only fair I went with him to support him through what would no doubt be a tough day for him.

He'd loved him for so long. Seeing him marry someone else had to be hard for him.

"I'll still come with you to Theo's wedding. It's a few weeks away, right?"

"Yeah, three weeks on Saturday, but I get it if you don't have time to come with me. I'll not hold you to anything."

"I said I would come. Please don't push me away, Vince. I keep my promises."

"But you don't know me. I don't need you to do this out of pity for the chubby English guy with no friends."

"How could you say such things? Have I not proven myself to you these past few days? I've enjoyed my time with you, and I'm not about to back out of an agreement, even if it was in the heat of the moment. I'm happy to come and support you."

Vince smiled wistfully. But I got the feeling he still didn't believe me.

"We will keep in touch when you return home. Now finish your meal. There's a carousel over there we need to ride on. It's tradition. Giselle and I always ride it when we come here."

I paid the bill, much to his annoyance, but today was my treat. We walked to the huge multicoloured carousel. He chose a unicorn, and I sat on a brown horse next to him, and when the music played and the carousel started, his face lit up.

No matter how old you were, everyone needed a little fun.

"Oh my god, that was so much fun." He said, as he dismounted five minutes later and sat on a bench nearby. "I've never done that. Thank you, Sylvain."

I shrugged. "It was my pleasure. Is there anything else you'd like to do?"

"I don't think so. I rode the train when I was here a few days ago, but I suppose I should go back and pack up. It's an early flight tomorrow."

"Then let's go. I'm glad you had a good time."

He took my hand in his. "It's been the best. Being mugged was the best thing to happen to me."

"You lost your money and cards. How was that good?"

"I wouldn't have got to spend these days with you, and I'm grateful, Sylvain, for everything, for you."

"Hey, it's not the end. I told you."

"Maybe it is, maybe it isn't."

My phone rang, stopping me from suggesting another evening at his villa. I was tempted to ignore it, but it was Giselle's ringtone, and she wouldn't call if it wasn't anything important.

"Hey, Giselle. What's up? I'm out with Vince."

"I'm so sorry to bother you, Papa. Maman is flying into Nice, and I said you'd pick her up. I completely forgot you were out with Vince. I can call her back and tell her you can't meet her at the airport."

"It's okay, Giselle. I can pick her up. It's no bother."

Except it was a bother, but she'd promised. I could take Vince with me. I was sure he wouldn't mind.

"Is everything okay?" "Yes, nothing to worry about. I need to go pick up Giselle's maman from the airport. You can come with me. There'll be room."

"I don't think that's a good idea, and anyway, I need to pack and do a host of other things before I leave in the morning. I need to buy a few trinkets. Lexi will be cross if I don't bring back a souvenir for her. Go collect her. I can manage to get back to the resort. The buses run often. I can hop on one of those."

"No, I'll take you back. I'll not abandon you here, Vince."

This wasn't how I wanted our time together to end. I'd plans for this evening, plans that didn't involve anyone else but him and me.

"It's fine, honestly, but if it makes you feel better, drop me back at the resort. I can take a walk into the village later. Family first, right?"

I could kill Giselle, but there was nothing to be done.

On the way back, Vince was quiet, barely saying a word. I tried to coax him into a conversation, but his one-syllable answers spoke volumes, and when I pulled up at the resort, he was out of the car and all but ran towards his villa.

"I'll call you," I shouted after him, but he waved without turning around.

I slapped the steering wheel, then peeled out of the car park faster than I should. If I could make it to the airport and back in time, I'd still be able to see Vince later.

But not only was the flight delayed, Claudette insisted I stop at the store in the village to pick up some essentials.

"I thought we could eat as a family this evening. It's been a while since I saw you and Giselle."

"I kind of had plans." As much as I loved her, I preferred spending the evening with Vince.

"Oh, come now, Sylvain. How often do I visit? Surely, they are not that important."

"They actually are. I have a friend staying, but they have an early flight tomorrow. I was hoping to spend the evening with them before they left."

"Oh, well, that's unfortunate."

For me or her?

"I'm only here today before I travel onto America for a convention. Seems we are in a bit of a quandary. Why don't you invite your friend to join us?"

Vince wouldn't go for that. By now, I knew him well enough that he'd be uncomfortable spending time with my ex and the mother of my child.

"Not sure that's such a great idea." And as much as I wanted to spend the last evening with Vince, I knew Claudette would make my life a misery if I didn't join them for dinner.

Merde. The day wasn't turning out how I wanted at all.

"Won't you help me cook? Giselle will be home soon."

"Can you give me a minute, please?" If I was going to be stuck here for the evening, I should let Vince know and tell him I hoped to see him later.

My bedroom was out of the way, but I closed the door to be sure I wouldn't be overheard.

Vince took his time but eventually answered the call.

"Hey, where are you?" I pinched the bridge of my nose.

"I'm out and about getting a few things. Then I'm heading back to the villa to finish packing. I'm sorry I won't see you before I go."

"I can come around after dinner."

"Sylvain, you don't have to do that. Spend time with your family. I didn't get much sleep last night, and I have an early morning. An early night might be a good idea anyway."

"At least let me drive you to the airport tomorrow. I'd like to say goodbye properly." Damn man was putting obstacles in my path. Of course he was upset. I'd promised him today and this evening, but I had to go back on my word. Something I loathed, but especially with Vince, what with him being so vulnerable and self-conscious.

"There's really no need. Giselle was kind enough to book a taxi for me."

He sounded chipper, but disappointment tinged his voice. I fell back onto my bed, the phone firmly against my ear.

"Don't do this, Vince. Please let me take you to the airport. I can pick you up. It's no bother."

"I've had the best time here, apart from the mugging, obviously. You've shown me the parts of your country you love and let me see I'm not unlovable or undesirable. I can't thank you enough for that."

This sounded far too much like a goodbye. Not an ‘until I see you again' but a proper thank you and goodbye. Not what I wanted at all.

"Go and enjoy your evening. I'm almost done here, and then it'll be an early night for me."

"I'll come around later."

"I'd rather you didn't. I'll probably be in bed anyway, and I'm not good with goodbyes. Let's just say it now. Please, Sylvain. Don't make this harder than it already is."

God, I could scream. I was so annoyed, but what could I say? Vince had made up his mind. Homme têtu .

"Goodbye and goodnight, Sylvain. It was lovely to meet you."

Tears formed behind my closed lids. How had this unassuming Englishman got under my skin so quickly, made me think and feel things I'd not felt in years?

I should go find him, but I got the feeling he wouldn't appreciate that, and I'd probably get so much grief. Would that be worth it?

Yes. Yes, Vince was completely worth it, and I planned on seeing him at the wedding, whether he liked it or not. He might be a stubborn man, but so was I.

I helped Claudette prepare dinner and set the table. Normally, I loved to see Giselle, hear about her day, but tonight I had to muster all my energy to join in the conversations and only mumbled a one-word answer when I needed to. My thoughts were elsewhere, and at ten o'clock, I made my excuses and went to bed.

I checked my phone, but Vince hadn't messaged me. It wasn't too late to visit him, but due to my increasingly bad mood, I'd had one too many glasses of wine. Driving was out of the question.

Downstairs, Giselle and Claudette chatted and laughed. I loved them both and would never deny Giselle the chance to meet up with her maman, which didn't happen often. I could have made my excuses and spent the evening with Vince, but how often did we have the chance to eat as a family?

Rarely was the answer.

But as I lay in bed, an idea formed, and soon, I fell asleep, content I'd see Vince before he left.

The following morning, I woke bright and early and, without saying good morning to anyone, left the house and sped to the resort.

I'd grilled Giselle to find out what time Vince's taxi would arrive to take him to the airport. I had to make it before six.

But, as usual, fate intervened. A road accident made me late, too late. As I pulled into the resort, a taxi drove away.

I flashed my lights, hoping the driver would stop, but either he didn't see it, or Vince told him to keep driving.

I tailed the taxi, trying not to lose him on the way to Nice. A couple of times, I lost sight of him but caught up with him again after a few kilometres, but as we neared the airport, taxis came from everywhere, and he was swallowed up in a sea of almost identical cars.

I swung my car into the car park, narrowly missing an older couple, and ran to departures. Who was he flying with? I scoured the board for the next flight to the UK.

Was it Birmingham? Manchester? Liverpool?

God, why hadn't I listened a little more closely? Try as I might, the airport escaped me.

" Zut !" I shouted, ignoring the disapproving looks aimed my way.

I scanned the hall, looking for him. Where was he?

I was about to leave when there he was, about to check in his luggage. If I could just reach him.

I battled through the crowds. Why were there so many people at the airport this early in the morning?

"Vince," I called out and waved to get his attention. "Vince."

He looked around him, so he must have heard me.

I sprinted towards him, dodging little children and suitcases, and finally, I reached him.

"Vince, over here."

The most wonderful smile appeared on his face.

"Thank god. I thought I'd missed you." I bent at the knees, panting.

"You didn't have to come. I told you last night." He poked me lightly in the chest.

"Last night sounded far too much like the end. I'm not ready for that yet."

"I'm not either, and if I said I wasn't disappointed about last night, I'd be lying."

"I wish you could stay a few more days. There is so much more I want to show you. So much I want to do with you."

"Maybe next time? Theo's wedding is soon, and if you still want—"

I smashed my mouth on his, not caring we were in a busy airport. I had to let him know I'd come with him, that this wasn't a typical holiday romance.

He opened up for me, and I kissed him like it was the last time we'd see each other. With passion, lust, desire, all the emotions inside me.

"Hey, get a room."

The shout brought us out of our trance. Vince dipped his head, conscious of the surrounding people.

"Send me details of the wedding, when and where, and I promise I'll be there."

"You promise?"

"Absolutely. Let me know when you land."

Reluctantly I released him.

"Here, let's take a picture before you go."

"Really? Do we have to?"

"Yes, we absolutely do. Now smile for the camera."

I put my arm around him and took the picture, laughing at his forced smile.

"You're going to need to do better than that."

I tried again, and this time, I captured the smile that had drawn me to him the first time I'd seen him.

"I have to go, or I'll miss my flight." Vince slung his backpack onto his back and stood on his tiptoes to kiss my cheek.

"I'll see you soon." I watched him walk through the door to security, a small lump in my throat.

At least I'd seen him before he left. Shoving down my sadness, I walked out of the airport with a bounce to my step and the biggest fucking smile on my face.

Three weeks, just three more weeks, that was all. I could do that, couldn't I?