The face she saw reflected in the mirror did not fill her with confidence. The new-found glow of happiness had visibly dimmed, leaving her looking drawn and grey, the bags beneath her eyes suddenly more prominent. You look like what you are, Announced her inner voice – an almost old woman!

What’s wrong with that? countered her rational self.

Meredith stared back. Everything, she challenged it, reaching for her make-up bag.

There are times in life when the expenditure on Yves St Laurent primer, Touche Éclat concealer and Le Teint foundation are worth the ridiculous outlay. This was one of them. Five minutes later, with the final addition of a slash of red Chanel lipstick, Meredith was ready to face her future.

Twenty-Three

Philippe stood up when she arrived. Behind him the sun blazed over the lush green landscape. Bees buzzed in the heat and Nelly lay panting adoringly at his feet. ‘I see you’ve put the warpaint on,’ he smiled tentatively. ‘Are we at war?’

‘I don’t know,’ replied Meredith. ‘Are we?’

‘I’m not,’ he replied with feeling. ‘You have to believe me, Meredith, I had no idea Lucille was going to pull something like this and turn up here.’

‘And has she gone?’

‘Yes, back to Bordeaux.’

‘And is she planning to stay there?’

He paused for fractionally too long.

‘I see,’ Meredith replied in a colourless tone.

‘She wants to see Jean-Christophe, that is all.’

‘And she will start turning up at the restaurant, where you will be as well.’

‘Meredith, you are not being fair!’

Meredith knew this already, but her protective instincts had sharpened in readiness.

‘Would you like a glass of wine?’ Philippe had remembered his father’s advice when out carp fishing. Learning when to leave the fish alone was just as important as knowing when to pursue it.

‘No, thank you,’ Meredith replied. ‘I have too much work to do. But feel free to sit and enjoy the view. Nelly seems happy to look after you.’

‘I would prefer it if it was you,’ he stated simply.

Meredith almost softened.

‘Another day, perhaps, when you are sure of your priorities.’

‘For God’s sake, Meredith.’ He got to his feet, almost losing his temper. ‘I am perfectly clear about my priorities now!’

But Meredith was already disappearing into the orangery. He watched her, suddenly seeing that although Lucille might once have seemed the love of his life – and he had even flirted with the idea of a reconciliation – Meredith was the woman he really wanted to be with.

‘Merde, alors, Nelly, what do I do now?’ he enquired of the adoring hound.

Nelly, sensing his frustration, got clumsily to her feet and placed a comforting paw on his pale linen trousers.