him or any man? She’d learned a long time ago that relationships that worked were few and far between and personally she didn’t intend to let one cloud her judgement ever again. Café Fleur was her baby and her life now.
GeeGee sighed contentedly. For once, Sunday had turned out to be the way she always thought Sundays in France should be – but in her case rarely were.
A leisurely lunch around Erica’s large kitchen table followed by coming up here to the roof terrace and lazing around for an hour before she’d jumped to her feet. A bit of payback time was needed.
‘Come on. Let’s give this terrace a makeover.’
For the next couple of hours the three of them weeded and watered the pots before sweeping the terracotta tiles and setting up the small, white, cast-iron table and chairs. Erica had found some candles for the lanterns that were now, together with the setting sun, casting a gentle ambience over the place. A perfect place to unwind.
Cammie was tucked up in bed and Erica had gone down to fetch a baguette and the remains of the lunchtime rosé for supper. So far she hadn’t mentioned whatever it was she’d said she wanted to talk about. GeeGee smiled to herself. Knowing Erica it could have just been a ruse to get her here and feed her. She knew her friend worried about her not eating enough.
She enjoyed food as much as anyone; it was just that, after paying the rent, the phone bill, her quarter’s rent for her desk, putting petrol in the car, etc., etc., there was so little left over. And now, on top of everything, she was about to be made homeless.
When her next commission came in she’d treat both Erica and Cammie to… She sighed. Her next commission payment was spoken for even before it arrived. Not to mention the next two or five. She’d struggle to even afford an extra coffee at Café Fleur for the next few months. Maybe Rosie would let her do the washing-up in exchange for lunch?
Hearing Erica coming back upstairs GeeGee determinedly pushed all financial worries to the back of her mind. With a bit of luck there would be a flurry of sales in the next couple of days, she’d find an apartment she could afford and all would come miraculously right in her world. Well, she could dream.
‘I ought to be thinking of going home,’ GeeGee said.
‘You don’t have to. You can always stay,’ Erica said, placing the tray of food on the table between them. ‘You know there’s always a room here for you.’ She glanced across at GeeGee.
‘I know everything down here is based on appearance and money rules supreme and your clients are super-impressed when you casually tell them where you live.’ She shook her head. ‘You might live on the Cap d’Antibes but your actual studio is like your landlord – the pits.’
‘But my clients don’t know that,’ GeeGee said. ‘They think I’m uber successful living in that location. And clients like dealing with successful people.’
‘You know, though, that you could get a better place for less money away from the Cap and have enough money for food.’ Erica glared at GeeGee. ‘I wish you’d move in with me and Cammie.’ She handed GeeGee a glass of wine. ‘You’d get to eat regularly and I’d be a better landlady than the snake you’ve currently got.’
‘Cheers.’ GeeGee hesitated. ‘Actually, I might need to take you up on that offer. Stan’s given me notice to quit.’
‘What?’
‘Have to be out next week. There’s nothing remotely suitable on the rental side at work – even if I had the money for all the upfront fees, deposit, etc. Which I haven’t.’
‘Why the hell didn’t you tell me before?’ Erica demanded. ‘Right. No argument. You move in here tomorrow.’
‘Thanks. I’ll try not to get in your way. As soon as I get some money in the bank I’ll find another place. I’ve got a villa in Antibes due to complete soon and an apartment on the coast road that should go through quickly. Just need some more clients to find their forever homes.’
A huge sigh of relief escaped her lips. ‘I seriously owe you one,’ she said, taking a sip of her wine. ‘So, what did you want to talk to me about?’
‘Selling this house.’
GeeGee choked on her wine, before turning to look at her. ‘Really?’
Erica nodded. ‘I want you to put it on the market for me.’
‘But…’ GeeGee hesitated. ‘You sure selling up is the right thing to do? You’ve made a lot of memories here – for Cammie, too. You and Pascal were so happy here.’
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