Skinner/Thorne: A New Year
Direct continuation of Skinner and Thorne: The Wedding Gift
By Atonia Walpole
Part 1: Eve
Max and Terry were out on Max’s balcony smoking. Max didn’t mind the smoke inside, but Terry had gotten so used to going outside since little Jacky was born he naturally headed for the outside with a smoke.
“And so I sent him the rest in a bank draft to deposit in his account. He’s set up nicely, Terry. I don’t think John will worry about money for a long time, if ever. Do you know he emailed me and said he’d bought Donna a car? He has two million pounds English sterling, not dollars, and he’s excited about a car.”
Terry chuckled, “John’s never had any money to speak of. I doubt very seriously if his life style changes that much. He can afford to educate his kids and take a vacation when he wants to. I’m not sure what else he’ll do with it.”
It was New Year’s Eve and they’d been out to dinner and for drinks and came back to Max’s flat. Connie and Toni were preparing a few snacks to see them through till midnight.
“Was it very hard to leave Virginia, Toni?”
“Oh, the pull of home is there, Connie, but I live with Terry and Jacky here in London. I actually like living here now I’m used to the money and driving on the wrong side of the road.”
“I never liked it until now. I think who you’re with makes a difference. Max makes it good for me.”
“I’m glad, Connie.” Toni gave her a quick hug, careful not to get her hands on Connie’s pretty sparkly sweater. “Think this is enough caviar? I’ve never especially liked it.”
“I think that’s plenty. We’ll be off to France tomorrow to see what kind of kitchen we have now.”
“I hope they didn’t destroy the feel of the place with all bright shiny surfaces.”
“Oh, no, we went rustic with stone and granite, and plaster for the walls. Max had a definite idea of what he wanted. I wonder if Ludivine will be able to cook in it.”
“Does Max still cook sometimes?”
“He can make an omelet,” Connie smiled. “Did he ever cook at the House of Four Seasons?”
“I don’t think so. He made tea. He cooked a little at Terry’s flat when he went missing.”
“Does Terry ever cook?”
“If we’re barbequing he does and he can make breakfast, poor baby. I’m afraid he’s spoiled, Connie. We have a wonderful cook.”
“Its fun spoiling them, isn’t it, no matter how it’s done.”
Toni looked at Connie. “Yes, it is, because they give so much back in return. They must be freezing out there, silly men.”
“Actually I do feel differently, Terry. I don’t know what you felt when you married Toni, but there is something more now. I belong to Connie and she’s my wife.”
“I belonged to Toni before we married on Jack’s ship, but that was different, a different set of circumstances. I’m happy for you, Max, looking forward to good times ahead now.”
“Yes, and back to warmer weather. Why are we out here in the cold? Look in there at the warm women.”
“Well, let’s go warm up with them then.” Terry opened the glass door and went inside, moving over to the kitchen counter and slipped his cold hands around Toni’s neck.
She squealed, “Terry! Don’t do that! Makes shivers go up my spine.” Toni turned on him.
“I thought you liked that feeling.” He gave her a cold kiss.
“MAX!” Connie screeched. He’d run his hands up under her sweater.
Midnight came and Max opened a bottle of champagne, filling their glasses. They kissed their women and toasted the New Year, then walked out on his balcony to watch a fireworks display on the Thames.
“They’re launching off the boats,” Toni said, leaning on the balcony railing with Terry’s arm around her.
“I’ve never understood the reason for fireworks, a lot of noise and the same thing every year,” Max shrugged.
“Surely not the same. I’m sure they have different rockets or whatever it is they fire off,” Connie answered.
“Well, I’ve had enough.” Max opened the door, went inside and poured out another glass of champagne.
“He’s no fun,” Connie laughed and followed him inside.
Terry caught Toni’s eye. “Are you about ready to go home?”
“I think so, darling. It’s been a good New Year’s Eve, hasn’t it?”
“Yes it has, luv. It was good to share it, too, with Max and Connie.”
“I know. Good friends like that are hard to find.”
“He’s not a friend, he’s my brother.”
Toni grinned, “He’s your friend, too, and you know it, Terry Thorne.”
Terry gave her a half smile and moved her inside, closing the door. “I think we’re done for the night.”
“Oh, don’t go! We have all these snacks to finish off,” Connie said.
“Have them for breakfast.” Terry gave her a kiss. “It’s been a good night.”
Toni went to Max and he kissed her. “Happy new year, Max.”
Max smiled, “Same to you.” He kissed her softly and released her.
“Have a safe trip home, and let us know how the kitchen turned out,” Toni said as Terry helped her on with her coat.
“You’ll have to pop over and see it for yourselves, and don’t leave it for too long,” Max insisted, kissing her good night and giving Terry a hug.
“Well, now that we’ve got rid of the riff raff, what say we finish this excellent champagne?”
Connie smiled and held up her flute. “I’ll have a little more, thank you, sir.”
Max filled her glass. “It was a good way to spend New Year’s, don’t you think? We could have gone to a party or two. Terry and I were both invited out tonight to separate parties, but I liked just the four of us out together, almost like normal people.”
“But we were normal people. Nobody stopped and gawked at us,” Connie smiled at him and touched his glass.
“Ah, yes,” he sipped his bubbly, “but looks can be deceiving. Of course you, my dear, are as normal as can be, married to a bloke like me.”
“I think you’re getting slightly champagne drunk, Mr. Skinner. I should probably put you to bed.”
Max grinned, “Yes…you should.”
Part 2: Homecoming
Arriving back in the Luberon Valley was like a balm to his soul. Max took his time driving from Marseilles to Bonnieux, and even in January the weather beat out London. The mistral winds did not touch the valley where Max’s chateau was located. As they drove through the little villages, they saw old men still sitting outside at little tables sipping their coffee. He wondered if one day he’d be joining them, smoking a cigar and discussing the wine laid down in the fall.
“Earth to Max.” Connie waited for a response.
“Oh, sorry, love. You were saying?”
“I was saying we should stop at a market on the way and pick up a few things.”
“Where’s the market today?”
“In Gordes. Have you talked to anyone about what’s happened with the kitchen?”
“No, I haven’t. Duflot was acting for me with the contractors, and they’ve had nearly two months so I’m hoping it is actually a kitchen and not a hole in the side of the chateau.”
Connie wasn’t quite so hopeful. She remembered the tales of woe from her father when they renovated their estate. Max pulled up at the Chateau Siroque and sat in the car for a moment.
“I’m afraid to go in. You go first.”
Connie laughed and got out of the car. Ludivine met them at the door and in a spate of French informed Connie there was no kitchen.
Connie walked back to the kitchen and the workmen were there working on the stone floor. Ludivine had been right. There was no kitchen. She hated to tell Max but he was already inside talking to Ludivine and came up behind her.
“This will not do, it simply will not do. Where is Duflot?”
Duflot was outside leaning against the van, smoking and talking to the foreman on the job.
“Ah, Max, you have come home.”
“Duflot, I am not happy about the state of the kitchen.” He was putting it mildly.
“Oh, Max, but everything is here. It will not take long now. You see the floor, ah, that was the problem. They couldn’t get the stone, but now you see they work.”
“Yes, I see they work today. Where were they yesterday and the day before and the week before, Duflot? It’s nearly two months since I left, and was assured I would have a kitchen when I returned.”
Connie looked out through the dining area. Max with hands on hips was giving Duflot and the foreman a piece of his mind. Poor Max. He simply did not understand the French. She knew in America the job would have been done and most likely in England it would have been completed, but not here.
Connie looked up Mme Duflot. “I suppose you know meals will have to be prepared and sent over from your kitchen until this work is completed. We do expect the meals to arrive hot and on time.” With that she went upstairs to change clothes and freshen up a bit only to find the water had been cut off while the floor was being laid in the kitchen. Max would have a heart attack. She called her father and made arrangements for them to stay over there until the house was habitable again.
“I was so looking forward to coming home.” Max took their bags back out to the car and tossed them on the back seat. “Where did I go wrong, Connie?”
“You are not used to the pace of work here, darling. Work is an afterthought.”
“I disagree. It’s not a thought at all unless someone notices it’s not getting done.”
“Dad said we were welcome to stay for as long as we need to. I suppose we’re going to have to tell him.”
“I suppose we will. Right now that’s the least of my worries. I already had his blessing, and I’m not in the mood to discuss grapevines.”
“No, of course no,t darling. Um, you weren’t serious about moving the Duflot’s out of their house, were you?”
“Well, we have to live somewhere. I rather think it won’t be necessary but it will give him something to think about whilst he’s lounging around smoking with the foreman. His farmhouse is on my property and belongs to me. He has a kitchen, Connie, and hot and cold running water and toilets that flush.”
“We will have those things again, Max, just be patient, dear.”
Patience, however, was not a virtue Max possessed. He pulled into Aubrey’s bricked yard and parked. “How do you want to do this, Connie, tell him straightaway or wait a bit, perhaps over a glass of wine?”
“Let’s wait a bit, darling.” Connie opened her door.
“Right.” Max got out and took their bags to the narrow opening and into the courtyard.
Penny met them at the door with hugs and kisses. “We saved your Christmas presents since you didn’t come home for the holidays.”
“I think we have yours somewhere in the luggage, Penny.” Max accepted a kiss from Penny.
“This way, Max.” Connie led him up to her old bedroom.
“Oh, no, Connie! Dad said to put you at the end of the hall in the big guest room.” Penny followed along behind them. “It will be more comfortable, bigger bed,” she grinned at Max.
“Are you to share with us?” Connie directed a look at her sister.
“Not unless you want me to. Dad’s in his den, Max, and said for you to come on down when you’re settled in.”
“I’ll do the settling, love, go on down and have a drink.”
Max gratefully left the settling and went to find the den, a room he liked from his former visit.
“Ah, Max,” Aubrey Duncan rose from his comfortable chair and extended a hand, “it’s good to see you. Sorry about the circumstances. I should have warned you.”
“Aubrey,” Max shook his hand. “Yes, well, I didn’t expect such a disordered mess when I got home. I’m not totally unfamiliar with the situation regarding contractors, but I had hoped for running water.”
“You look like a man who could use a good drink.” Aubrey moved to his liquor cabinet and poured Max a good drink from a decanter. “I think I’ll join you.”
“Ahhh,” Max sighed, “cognac. Just what the doctor ordered. Sorry to impose on you like this. Short of throwing my vinegon out and taking over his residence we are temporarily homeless.”
Aubrey chuckled, “You’re never homeless around here, Max, and my door is always open. We didn’t expect you to stay away so long. How’s your family?”
“They’re well. We spent Thanksgiving in Maine with John, and New Years with Terry in London, a late night last night,” Max leaned his head back on the leather sofa.
“Hmm, and then you come home to an uninhabitable residence. That’s too bad. Penny and I flew to California, spent Christmas with my brother and his family and came home a few days later. We missed having Connie with us but I’m sure she didn’t miss us.” He smiled a little smile.
“Connie and I spent the holiday by ourselves, explored the city a little, had dinner in a nice restaurant. It was a quiet holiday but it suited us at the time.”
“She was never fond of London, if I recall. Perhaps she’s changed her mind?”
“I believe she has,” Max replied, wanting to tell him now and get it over with.
“That’s probably because she was with you. It’s been well over a year now.”
“Aubrey, there’s something we need to tell you…”
“Connie wants to know about dinner, Dad. Is there anything you want in particular?” Penny hung in the doorway.
“Oh, no, whatever is going. I’m easy,” Aubrey smiled, his attention going directly back to Max. He was about to say something…
Max set his empty glass down. “I should go and change. I feel a little overdressed for this part of the world,“ he smiled charmingly and got up.
“Yes, you do look like London, Max. Come on back down. It’s nice to have a man around to talk to.” Aubrey’s curiosity was piqued. Something was afoot and he was dying to know what.
Penny had noticed the ring on Connie’s finger but hadn’t asked her anything about it yet. She kept glancing at it. It did look like a wedding ring or maybe an engagement ring.
“So what all did you do in London, Con?”
“Shopped, did some sightseeing and ate in good restaurants. We spent a lot of time with Terry and Toni.”
Penny had been over and met Terry when he was staying at the chateau. “Max has a good-looking brother.”
“He has three good-looking brothers.” Connie brought out salad makings. “You could help, Penny.”
“Oh, sure. Let me do the washing. You wouldn’t want to get that sparkly ring all messed up, now would you.”
“No, I certainly wouldn’t want to mess it up.”
“Okay, sis, are you engaged?”
“No.”
“Then you’re married!” Penny stood by the sink, letting the water run, wide-eyed and smiling.
Connie looked up at her sister. “Yes, I am. We haven’t told Dad yet so keep it quiet for a little while, okay?”
Penny threw her arms around Connie. “I am so glad you’ve done this! Oh, Connie, and he’s such a dream! Wow!”
Connie smiled, “Yes, he is, and I'm very happy to be his wife.”
“And you said you’d never do it again. I guess it just took the right man. I am that excited for you and Max.”
“You’re right about that. It took a special kind of person to change my mind. Now are you going to wash that lettuce or drown it?”
Part 3: Dinner
Dinner was paella and a salad with fruit and cheese for dessert. Connie called them to the table.
“It’s nice to have you back in my kitchen,” Aubrey commented to Connie as he sat down at the table. “Penny does try.”
“What happened to Marianna?” Connie asked.
“She’s off giving birth. Had a little girl I think,” Aubrey answered.
Penny kept looking from Connie to Max with a smug look on her face. “How would you feel about grandchildren, Dad?” she asked, filling her mouth with rice.
“Are you having one?” He raised a brow at Penny.
“No, not yet anyway. I’m waiting for Prince Charming.”
“Why did you ask that question? Is somebody else having one?” He looked at Connie.
“No, Dad, not yet,” she answered.
Max cleared his throat and took a drink from his glass. “Aubrey, um,” he looked across the table at Connie, “while we were in London, Connie and I got married, a simple ceremony. Only my brother Terry and Toni were there.”
Aubrey was quiet for a moment, wiping his lips with his napkin. “Did you really? Well,” he chuckled, “ it was about damned time…congratulations, Max and Connie. This is the best news I’ve heard lately. Yes, good news…very good news,” he broke out in a wide smile.
“It was a spur of the moment thing, Dad. It seemed the right time for us.” Connie smiled at Max.
“We are truly blessed here this evening.” He looked at Max. “I’ve gained a son. Daughters are okay but I always wanted a son. I hope that doesn’t embarrass you, Max.”
“No, not at all. I’m, uh, happy to be part of your family.”
“This calls for a celebratory drink! Penny bring out the good stuff,” he grinned.
Max knew what was coming and Aubrey didn’t disappoint. The garage wine was opened and a glass poured for him to enjoy.
“Before you start combining our respective vineyards, Aubrey, we need to talk.”
“Of course, Max, and we will. There’s much to discuss now that we’re all actually family. But let’s not think about that tonight. This is a special occasion. Not every day one of my daughters marries,” he smiled benignly.
Connie suppressed a smile and caught Max’s eye. Penny cleared the table and set out the cheese and fruit. The rest of the evening went well. Aubrey, of course, was delighted the marriage had taken place and he felt in time Max would come around to his way of thinking regarding the wedding of their grapes. He was also genuinely happy for his daughter.
“The thing is,” Max said later when they were getting ready for bed, “I actually like your father.”
“He likes you, too, and not just for your grapes. I believe what he said about wanting a son. You’ll be good for him”
“I’m not so sure about that, but as long as I’m good for you, that’s what matters to me.” Max pulled her to him in the wide bed.
“You’re definitely good for me. I’ve known that from the beginning.” Connie melted into his arms and his kiss.
The next morning Max was up and over at the chateau where he planned to be until he saw something resembling a kitchen. He noticed Duflot was actually helping this morning, carrying bits of this and that and looking busy. Max helped where he could, holding an end of the leveling board, running into Bonnieux for more mortar mix, something that would have taken half a day for the contractor to acquire. By the end of the day the floor was completely laid. The kitchen would be twice the size it had been. He was sweeping up the floor when Connie and her father arrived to see the progress.
“Amazing, isn’t it, what a threat or two will do,” Aubrey chuckled, stepping into the kitchen. “I like this floor, Max.”
“Yes, evidently the stone was the hold up and nothing else could be done until it arrived. At least that was the story I was told.”
“Take it with a grain of salt, but now it should move pretty quickly. It took me six months to get my courtyard bricked. You wouldn’t believe the excuses I heard. I mean, damn, man, a brick is a brick, you know! I could care less whether they matched. I wanted something besides gravel to walk on.”
“I’m learning, slowly, but I’m learning. The appliances are here in the garage, and the lower cabinets will be constructed on site.”
“Connie tells me you had a vision for the kitchen.”
“I wanted a certain feel, nothing cold and shiny. A warm gathering place,” Max smiled a little uncertainly.
“Sounds like you’ve done your homework. Mine is utilitarian I guess, but it works for us.”
Max looked up at the old ceiling in the kitchen, something he wanted to retain. “This place is the exact opposite of my flat in London. I had it done by a decorator and, unfortunately, things didn’t go well with us, and she ended up creating a rather cold, unfeeling environment. La Siroque is home, it’s where I have my childhood memories, and I don’t want to change it too much.”
“I used to enjoy my visits with Henry. I always thought his place was a little shabby but in a good way, eclectic, years of accumulations.”
“Some of those accumulations are gone now, year’s worth of newspapers and magazines. I don’t think he ever discarded anything. He kept every letter I ever sent him. I went through them when I first got here and then made a bonfire. Connie’s been a tremendous help in getting the place organized for living.”
“I’m sure you’re going to do a lot of living here, you and Connie. I can’t tell you how good it makes me feel to know she’s going to be right next-door so to speak, and with you. I think you’re a good man.” He clapped Max on the shoulder and stepped outside, surveying the mess in the garden. “I hope they’re going to clean up after themselves.”
“It will be cleaned up…by somebody.” Duflot came to mind.
“Max,” Connie called out, walking from the direction of the garage, “have you seen the size of that stove?”
“Um, yes, I have. There’s to be an alcove built for it. The preliminaries have already been installed as far as exhaust system and electrical and gas connections.”
“But where will it go?”
“Here on the outside wall. See the stonework?”
“That’s more stove than I’ve ever used before. Ludivine will be in a panic.”
“What did you buy?” Aubrey asked.
“It’s a La Cornue stove, and don’t worry, Connie, they will send someone out to instruct.”
“I can’t wait to see the finished product, Max. Penny and I are inviting ourselves for dinner.”
Max smiled, “Better wait until after stove school.”
“I’m going to head on back home, Max. Penny’s cooking tonight so get ready for pizza.”
Connie grinned, “You like pizza, don’t you, darling?”
“Pizza, of course. I can eat most anything.”
That was something Connie knew about him. He was easy to please, but he did have certain standards; you couldn’t offer him a peanut butter sandwich. He was English, after all. Connie wandered around inside the kitchen while Max walked her father to his car. She was envisioning the room with the open shelving and copper pots hanging from a rack over the worktable. She’d been in the kitchen at the House of Four Seasons and in Toni’s Kitchen in London. She knew where Max’s ideas came from, but he was adding a French flavor to it with colors and cookware. She’d helped him with that part of the plan.
Max leaned in the doorway. “Do you think it’s going to be all right, Connie? I haven’t bitten off too much to chew, have I?”
She went to him and kissed his dusty cheek. “It’s going to be perfect, Max.” She didn’t add ‘just like you’ but she thought it. She’d often thought if she’d been Toni at the House of Four Seasons, he would have been the one she couldn’t live without. It was understandable that Toni found it so now. They had a common love…Max.
Max propped the door, which was off its hinges, against the opening and dusted himself off. “I could use a bath.”
“Are you ready to go then?”
“Yeah, nothing else to do here but dream, and that won’t build cabinets. Let’s go.” He put his arm around her and they walked to the car.
ON TO PART 4
BACK TO SKINNER AND THORNE: THE WEDDING GIFT
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