When their buckets were full, they drank wine and ate the smoked-salmon sandwiches in celebration. “So, who wins?” asked Clementine, holding up her bucket.
“You do,” Rafa replied.
“Are you sure?”
“Why let her win so easily?” Pat asked, munching heartily on her sandwich.
“Because I’m a gentleman.”
“So, you won’t be taking your prize without asking?” said Clementine, a little disappointed.
“Because I’m a gentleman,” he repeated with a grin that made her stomach lurch.
“So what is my prize?”
“Admiration.” He wound his arm around her waist, pulled her against him, and kissed her cheek. Pat roared with laughter while Veronica watched with interest at the blossoming of young love.
Grey raised his glass in a toast. “To a wonderful evening with friends,” he said. “But now we must be getting back. It’ll be dark soon.”
Rafa stood once more at the helm, but Clementine didn’t mind. Veronica and Pat were a hilarious duo and the three of them laughed all the way back to the harbor.
“Oh dear, I think I’m a little tipsy,” said Veronica, taking Rafa’s hand and stepping onto the quay.
“It’s good for you, Veronica,” said Pat. “That’s why the French live so long. It’s all the wine they drink.”
“It feels as if the ground is going up and down, don’t you think?” Veronica added, grabbing hold of Rafa’s arm to steady herself.
“Let me escort you back to the car,” he suggested, placing his hand on hers.
“You are a very dear man.”
“Thank you.”
“Not many young people would be so considerate. You know, when you’re young you don’t ever imagine you’re going to be old. But it falls upon you quite unexpectedly and then, there you are, one of the old people you rather despised.”
“I’ve never despised old people,” he said, walking her gently along the quay. “I love old people. They have lived many lives and experiences, and are full of wisdom.”
“You seem much older than you are, Rafa.”
“I know. I’m an old man in the body of a young man. One day the body will catch up with the mind, and then I will feel complete.”
“Don’t you feel complete?”
“I feel dislocated, actually,” he confided.
“That’s got nothing to do with you being too old for your skin. So, why is it, do you think?”
“Because I am rootless, Mrs. Leppley.”
“Please call me Veronica. We are all rootless, Rafa, until we find our soul mate. I don’t imagine you have found yours yet?”
“No, I am still looking.”
She smiled tenderly. “You will find her, and when you do, the world will shift into place and you will no longer feel dislocated.”
“I’m sure you are right.”
“I’m an old bird who’s seen a lot.”
“Did you find your soul mate?”
“Yes. My husband fell in love when he saw me dance.”
“I bet you were a beautiful dancer.”
“I was never Margot Fonteyn, but I was good. That’s the sadness of growing old: one has to concede that there are things one can no longer do. But I love my husband and I have lots of grandchildren, and those are the things that I value now. Not my ballet shoes.”
“Family is everything,” he agreed firmly.
“Oh, yes, it is.” She sighed. “I am very blessed.”
They returned to the Polzanze in high spirits. Pat recited limericks while the car wound up the lane. It was nearly dark. The lights twinkled in the windows of passing houses and in the sky, which was studded with stars, but none was as welcoming as the lights of the Polzanze.
Tom and Shane marched out to open the doors.
“I’m still feeling a little light-headed,” said Veronica happily. “It’s been a lovely day.”
“I’m so pleased,” said Grey, letting her slip her hand around his arm.
“I’m feeling very old, but very happy.”
“I feel revitalized,” said Pat, striding past them. “Nothing like the sea wind to sweep away the years.”
Clementine opened the boot and lifted out the bucket. Inside were five fat crabs. “These will do for dinner,” she said.
“Here, let me help you.” Rafa took the bucket off her. “Where do you want them?”
“In our kitchen. Come, I’ll show you.”
“So, this is where you live,” he said, looking up at the pretty, gray stone building with its white clock tower and weathercock.
“It’s the old stables. Submarine converted it for her private use.”