‘Merci,’ Ben mumbled, adding more water before taking a gulp. The heat of the aniseed shot to his throat instantly, numbing it like he’d dived into freezing water.
‘Here you are,’ Samantha turned a chair around and positioned herself opposite him.
‘Oh,’ Ben said, gripping his throat, ‘you made me jump.’
‘I expect you’re still upset about that episode.’
‘Yes. It shook me up, I can tell you. It shouldn’t have happened. Thought I’d get a stiff drink before I got back. Thank God she’s ok.’
‘I’m with you there. She’s a sweet girl.’
‘That’s what I thought. Unassuming. I can’t believe she didn’t make more fuss.’ Ben said, recalling her strength and dignity, and how struck he was by her natural beauty.
‘Well lucky for us, she didn’t. I think I’d be grateful to be alive too from what I’ve heard. Jamie said it was pretty horrific, we’ve got the scene shot if you want to take a look. Anyway, the guys are ready to go when you are.’
Ben ran his fingers through his hair and rubbed his forehead. ‘I don’t wish to see a replay, once was more than enough. I’ll be over in a minute then I’m going to drive into Beziers to find a bike shop.’
‘Ah, speak to Trevor, he will know where to go. Actually I’ll WhatsApp him.’ Samantha pinched her phone out from her gilet chest-pocket and began tapping her fingers on the screen.
Ben leant forward and grabbed his glass, the spicy aroma catching his nostril before he swallowed another mouthful of Pastis. Not as good as the first but still refreshing. It had eased the rattling nerves. He sat back again as he watched his assistant. She had every resource to hand, as always. He wondered whether he should run Evie’s idea about the peasant women past her. Perhaps it was too soon. He’d considered his script strong. His protagonist, Pierre-Paul Riquet, was a highly tenacious man and doggedly fastidious in overcoming every obstacle to get the Canal du Midi built. The backers liked it. His storyline contained plenty of conflict and meaty action. Riquet was a man of steel which contrasted so ironically with the softness of his heart; a family man devoted to his wife and five children and, for his time, mid-seventeenth century, admiringly committed to his workers. It was extraordinary to hear Evie’s take and Ben was keen to know exactly what history his books hadn’t disclosed.
Samantha’s phone wailed, jogging his attention. She scanned the screen. ‘Aha, he recommends a shop in St Chinian. Cycles Mari.’
‘Great stuff Sam, thanks. Ok. Are they ready? Let’s get this shot and I’ll get going. If it’s ok, while I’m gone, get the guys to carry on with shots of the buildings, vineyards or whatever is listed on the schedule. My head is not really on the task right now. Is that ok?’
‘Completely.’
Crashing past overhanging shrubs the following morning, Ben drove along the bumpy track to the gates where he had dropped Evie off. Out of the car, he peered through the tall iron gates facing the substantial two-storey villa with shutters drawn and little sign of anyone home. Checking the area around the gates, he located a bell and pushed it twice. As anticipated, there was no response. Back in the car, he grabbed his pad from the passenger seat and scribbled down a note asking her to call him with a suitable time to deliver her bike. He padded back over to the gates and searched for a letterbox or somewhere she would see the note. It was then he heard voices. Turning, he saw Evie pull a gate closed across the track, wheeling a buggy towards him. With her hair blowing in the breeze, and her glowing complexion, his pulse increased. What he saw was even more beautiful than he remembered. As she neared, he clenched each palm, one of them containing the note. He slid it into his pocket.
‘Hi,’ he said, feeling himself drawn to the shimmer of her eyes. ‘You look amazing. How do you feel today?’
‘Yes, good. Grateful to be alive, as you can imagine.’
‘Your leg?’
‘Sore, but fine.’
‘Good stuff.’ He knelt down to the buggy. ‘Charlotte, I presume. A beauty like her mother. Hello Charlotte.’
The little girl backed away, eyeing him with suspicion. She held her lips between her fingers.
‘If you’re wondering if I’m going to sue you, then don’t worry. You don’t have to be nice on account of me causing trouble.’ Evie said, catching him by surprise. He remained crouched as she continued. ‘Let’s just say we all had a lucky escape. As long as your people make more effort to cordon areas off, to be absolute certain no one is allowed to wander. I won’t make trouble. I take it that’s why you are here?’
Ben stood up and faced her. ‘Believe me, we won’t take any chances. I had nightmares last night thinking about what could have happened, and I wouldn’t blame you if you wished to pursue a claim.’ He held out a concerned palm. ‘I was told a sign was in place but it evidently wasn’t visible enough, so we are responsible. I’ve brought you a form to fill in to claim any damages.’
‘No. I just want to erase the whole incident.’
‘Your call.’ Ben stepped back towards the car. ‘And… I’ve brought this. I could have had it delivered I suppose, but I have a new bike for you. I’m afraid your bike was beyond repair. The chassis was weak and deemed unsafe.’
‘What, you bought a new one?’
Ben scratched his collar. ‘Well, yes. You said you couldn’t manage without one, and I did try to get it to you yesterday but they had to build it. I’ve just collected it. It will need tightening in a few weeks, or before if you use it frequently.’
She held her lip. ‘Oh, Jesus. This is embarrassing.’
‘Why?’
‘My other one wasn’t even brand new when I had it. You didn’t have to. You could have just got a second-hand one.’
Ben grinned. ‘I’m so sorry. If you don’t like it, I can return it and get something you would like. You choose.’
Feeling touched by her concern for his spending, he reached out to the back of his hire car and opened the rear.
‘Take a look.’ He reached up and heaved the heavy frame out, bouncing the sparkling new bike on to the gravel. ‘Try it. If you like it, I’ll fit the child seat on.’
‘It’s lovely.’
‘It’s a hybrid, like your other one, so it can be used on most terrain. Try it for height.’
Evie stepped away, pushing the pushchair in front of her. ‘No. I can’t accept this. It’s…’
‘Of course you can,’ Ben cut in ‘to be honest, I’m more than pleased I can do something for you. I feel terrible after what happened. Please, try it. I can adjust the saddle if it isn’t right.’
A flash of distrust crossed her face as he watched her pondering in silence
Clutching both hands, he raised his brows for a response. He was sure he’d done the right thing and the last thing he wanted to do was upset her. It wasn’t only that the whole film would be in jeopardy if they were sued, he also hated to see women upset. You can’t change who you are, he reminded himself. That’s what his sister, Hannah, told him when he raced to her side if she cried or had been troubled. His sisters often took his side. There were five years between him and Hannah. Both she and his eldest sister, Nicola, seven years his senior, were the sweetest. They argued among themselves at times but were just like mini-mummies’ to him, and he’d always felt torn if he had to take sides when the pair of them were in dispute, or if they argued with their mother. They would also protect him from his elder brother too, who constantly jibed him about his dyslexia. He now wondered if his sisters’ closer bond with him was the root cause of his brother’s attention-seeking