One Moment At Sunrise

She recalled the short time she’d spent doing work experience at the ‘Cool Girl’ magazine. It had given her such a boost when Jane Loftus, the editor, had called her in her office for a one-to-one on her progress. She’d told her she had the imagination and drive to create fresh ideas as well as handle research. She’d been impressed with the compelling piece she’d written. Perhaps she should begin her writing again. If she made a good impression on Ben, maybe it would boost her confidence to do more. So much of her time was spent listening to music and escaping into books to blank out reality; waiting for Seb. What she needed was to think about the future, not the past. To be a butterfly, not a caterpillar.

With her mood brightening, she lifted her jaw and allowed the rays from the sun to caress her face. All she needed to do was look forward. What she needed was a plan and for Seb to meet her at least halfway. She would continue working on him and keep convincing him. Feeling the soft breeze sweep around her moist neck, she set off back under the shade of the plane trees. Now letting her muscles and mind relax, she began to absorb the serene surroundings, witnessing dappled light flitting through lush leaves, the hush of still water, unruffled, reflecting the tall leafy structures along its bank. Only the bicycle wheels hitting the odd stone broke the rhythm of silence. As the path flattened then rose, an absence of trees showered down light and opened a distant landscape where farmhouses nestled among rows of bud-filled vines.

Back past the bridge at Colombiers and a further small bridge by a holiday village, Evie slowed as she hit traffic. Walkers and other cyclists bunched on her approach to Fonserannes Lock. Passing at a wider stretch beside the top of the locks, she was brought to a halt. Unusually, a large crowd congregated. She peered round towards the building to her side. A white square board with bold red writing met her gaze.

‘ATTENTION! Filming in progress. Possible dangers. Thank you for your patience. Access will resume at 11.30 a.m.’

Through the crowd, she glimpsed a barrier was in place. Spinning her watch around on her wrist, she checked the time. Another forty minutes to wait.

‘Bah. Well, poppet, we might as well sit on the grass and have an early lunch, or a drink, at least,’ she said to Charlotte, lifting her leg over the crossbar and guiding the bike past the lock keeper’s house, and towards a grass verge.

‘Evie,’ someone called, a male voice, warmly familiar. Instantly it set her tingling. She scanned the outside of the building where the sound came from, a beguiling smile curled on her lips as the tall frame approached. Ice cream in one hand, he waved tentatively with the other.

‘Oh, Ben. Hi, I’d have thought you were down there with the crew.’

‘Oh, bit of red tape to clear up with the authorities. Sorted now, so my reward…’ he brandished his ice cream in the air. ‘I’m just going back down if you want to come with me.’

‘No. I was going to sit down here…’

‘You’re my chief researcher, come on, I’ll buy you both a drink.’

‘Well that’s what I was going into Beziers to do, actually.’ Evie grappled with her rucksack. ‘And, I’ve got drinks in my bag.’

‘Here, I’ll hold the bike while you take…’ he stopped, holding out his hand and squinting, ‘err, Charlotte is it?’

Evie swallowed as a faint blush brushed over her chest. He remembered. That was unexpected.

‘Yes,’ she nodded as he placed a firm grip on the handlebars, and sandwiched his legs around the front of the wheel. Unleashing Charlotte and taking her hand, she followed Ben through the crowd and stood behind him as he put his hand in the air. Looking down at the bottom of the deep staircase of locks, she could see Samantha, Ben’s assistant, sticking up a hand and showing a thumb. They slid through an opening beside the barrier and began to potter down the steep hill. A few people began to follow, but Ben held up his palm and, very politely, asked them to wait.

‘You’re going to be popular,’ Evie told him.

‘Not long now though. I just hope we have enough time. Ah, looks like they’re ready. Probably just waiting for us to get out of the way.’

Evie swept Charlotte into her arms, livening up her pace. ‘You should have said.’

‘How have you both been anyway?’ Ben asked, finishing off his ice cream.

‘Fine, absolutely fine. The new bike is good too.’

‘Well good to know it’s not getting a chance to gather dust.’

‘Actually, it probably is on these paths now, but, yes, I use it every day. I couldn’t imagine getting around here much with a pushchair.’

Reaching the café at the bottom of the slope, Ben parked the bike. ‘Go and take a seat, I’ll be over shortly.’

Evie chose a seat on the front overlooking the canal. There was so much choice. Usually, the café was rammed as she cycled by, this obviously wasn’t good for business. She felt rather important when a further horde of people observed her from the bottom barrier as she perched herself and Charlotte among the vacant seats. Immediately, the waiter brought over a highchair and she sat Charlotte down. From her rucksack, she pulled out two small picture books and opened one up for Charlotte who immediately began pointing and gabbling.

‘Avez-vous choisi?’ the smiling young waiter asked.

In his absence, she ordered Ben a small beer, a coffee for herself, then peered round to survey the scene. Groups of men milled around in peasant clothes with pick axes, feigning work on a large grassed area beside the lock. On a lower section of the lock a cluster of women, also peasant-clad from the Riquet era, were accompanied by scruffy children. Further down, at the basin, nobler men with long curls dressed in pantaloons sashed at the waist and long jackets decorated with cravats were in discussion on a grass bank. No doubt, she figured, they must generate computer imaging to create authenticity with the background, but she found it fascinating. Ben must have a picture in his mind of the scenes and shots, and she was glad to see he had included the women. Her mind wandered as she gazed back at them. Who were they, she asked herself. What villages did they come from? Who did they leave behind? What life did they forsake to work here? And, was there anyone special for Mr Riquet among these women?

Questions still whirled as Ben, she realised, was now in front of her and his fresh scent breezed around her.

‘Looks good, don’t you think?’ he grinned, the glint in his eyes instantly forcing a crimson glow to her cheeks.

Just as she was about to speak, they were interrupted by the waiter placing drinks on the table in front of them.

‘Oh, I ordered you a small beer. Is that ok?’

‘Perfect, just what I need.’

‘So, yes, the costumes look amazing. I presume your main character, Mr Riquet, is among the dignitaries, there,’ she pointed to the far basin where a group of men appeared to be in heated discussions.

‘Yes, arguing his point, as usual. Quite convincing aren’t they. They’re just taking some scene shots with the doubles. They’re almost finished. The actors arrive next week.’

‘Oh, clever. And, the women?’ Evie sipped her drink.

‘Oh, the workers we’ll just take footage of for now. They don’t have lines. Samantha has found some superb ground we can work on for digging and channelling.’ Ben smiled, scratching his head. ‘So, I look forward to discovering what you can come up with.’

Evie found herself picturing in her mind a young woman leading a work team, and Mr Pierre-Paul Riquet catching his breath at her animation as she explains some simple solution to his problem.

‘So am I. I have so many questions in my head right now,’ she told him.

‘Brilliant. I just hope your findings don’t knock my script out of joint. I’m now convinced another character could add to it. Let’s wait and see, shall we?’

Evie couldn’t help but stare; his eyes glistened with passion for his work with no sign of tension in his jaw like before… and that beautiful mouth. She had to wonder at his calmness being a film director, he certainly knew how to delegate and trust his team, in comparison to Seb – who was afraid to relinquish his dominance and control and wouldn’t allow anyone to make decisions or overrule his say, unless it was something that was fun and suited him of course. No, Ben, it seemed, invited input from his team, and sought to add others’ creativity. She admired that quality in him, she had never met a man so good looking and so considerate, with enthusiasm so contagious. Each individual in his team showed willing and respect. She could almost hear his mind ticking as he perused his team at work. His attention flashed to Charlotte.

‘And how is your little helper, your research assistant?’

Unprepared for the snap question, Evie took in a breath. ‘Looking forward to a trip to the library, aren’t you Charlotte? She adores books.’

‘Classics, or a good thriller?’

Evie laughed. ‘Sit her with a pile of books and she’ll sit forever.’

‘Were you like that as a child?’

‘Totally. Books were my sanctuary. My sister excelled at maths which only amplified my inadequacies and sent me nose-diving into a book. What about you?’

Ben’s chin lowered to his chest. He tightened his lips, shaking his head. ‘I made every excuse not to read. I’m dyslexic and a slow reader. They thought I was lazy. Reading and writing was a miserable experience, until luckily a teacher recognised it and was able to suggest some strategies. My older sisters helped me greatly with those at home too, much to the disgust of my brother. I was getting all the attention, which built up resentment and it took him years to get over it. And it took me years to get over his tormenting. I had these weird glasses for a while and you can imagine how much mileage he got taking the piss out of me with those. But, I used to make up stories in my head and make storyboards, got used to visualising and etching out the stories I suppose, which evolved into using my dad’s video camera and making films. That was my way of dealing with my shortcomings.’

Evie felt touched that he could reveal so much of himself, an admiration surfaced in her. ‘I’ve heard dyslexics are very gifted and can be highly creative, particularly being able to see things in three dimension. That’s probably why you’re good with film.’

‘Apparently. It could just be that we’ve had to find another way but yes, I’ve heard we compensate in other ways. I tend not to dwell on it now. I still read and write slower than the average person, but there’s nothing wrong with my comprehension and I’ve probably landed a far more satisfying career than a lot of those guys who mocked me. Well, when I say landed, I’ve grafted and pushed myself through some gruelling, and at times uncomfortable, situations to make it happen – but I’ve focused on what works for me.’ He poured the remainder of the amber liquid down his throat.

Gazing at him with admiration, his words echoed through her: “focus on what works for me”. Those warm eyes glimmered at her.

‘I’m impressed. I wish I had your determination.’

‘Bringing up a child up takes a lot of determination, I imagine. I can’t wait to be a dad one day.’

‘Not all men think like you. My partner wasn’t happy about it. He was really against it when I told him I was pregnant.’ Evie thought of Seb’s reaction. Although, Ben did say “one day”, maybe his ambitions would prevent him too. Maybe he was more careful and took the right precautions with his conquests. He’d probably had lots of those too, like Seb. So alike yet so different. The thought occurred, both workaholics… yet Ben was much more grounded.

‘Oh?’

‘I was over the moon but when I told him, but it went down like the proverbial balloon. Worst time of my life. I was stupid to think he would be as pleased as me about it.’

‘It wasn’t planned then, I take it?’

‘No. We’d only been together about six weeks.’

‘I don’t suppose it was easy then if…’

‘We got on so well before,’ Evie bumbled, realising she had started something.

‘Ah I see. Yes. I’d want to make sure I was with the right person first,’ he said, appearing thoughtful.

‘I thought he was the right one and thought he felt the same…’ She clutched her throat, willing herself to shut up. She was blurting again and he was rubbing his head as though trying to decide if she was the village idiot or something. She glanced down at her coffee cup, then at Charlotte who was immersed in her book. Well, no matter what, she didn’t regret her decision to have Charlotte. She would never have been strong enough to face the alternative. That would have taken guts. Perhaps she had just been naïve in thinking Seb would have been pleased just because she was. Naïve in thinking they had a strong relationship too.

‘I hope I haven’t upset you,’ Ben said, invading her thoughts. ‘I’m not taking any sides here but in a situation like yours, isn’t it the case that you both have to do what is necessary and step up to the responsibility? Regardless of your feelings for one another.’

His lashes flickered down at her coffee cup. Of course she knew the answer – and she and Seb had both stepped up – but it left her with a question. Had they done what was right for them?

Rubbing his palms around his glass, he peered at her. ‘Again, you have to focus on what works for you.’ His lips curled into that comforting smile she found increasingly alluring. ‘I’d never have pushed myself without that philosophy. Like you, I’ve got one life and I plan to make the best of what I have.’

Evie remained quiet, scratching the back of her neck, those words resounding in her head again, “focus on what’s best for you”.

‘Anyway, I’m preventing you from this much sought-after research.’ Ben said easing out of his chair. ‘I’m afraid I have to go and wrap this up and move on, for now at least. We’re shooting up at the Malpas tunnel tomorrow.’

‘Oh, don’t let me stop you. Yes. I need to get on too,’ she said finishing her own drink.

Evie watched as Ben gave Charlotte’s cheek an affectionate stroke with his finger. He skirted the highchair and moved towards Evie, holding an arm out which she took to mean he was expecting her to stand to air-kiss goodbye. She got up obligingly, offering each cheek to his lips, rousing a rush of desire in her as she inhaled hues of spice. Feeling the blood race from her throat to her temples, she dropped her head to hide the embarrassment of her response, focusing her gaze on the empty glasses on the table until the shame vanished.

‘Oh, I’ll get the bill,’ she said reaching for her bag.

‘Absolutely not. These guys have been paid. We can’t expect them to lose money whilst we shoot. It’s been a joy to see you again. Hope the research goes well,’ he said with a wink as he marched away. She was like a plant that had been stuck in the shade, with brown crumbling foliage. But now she felt her leaves beginning to shoot upwards. She wondered if placed in the sunshine, she would allow herself to bloom.

Chapter 8

Seb would never understand but Evie had never imagined she could suddenly be so happily consumed. The books she collected from the library expanded her knowledge of the canal and its visionary, Riquet. Although she had yet to reveal anything about the peasant women, she was getting hungrier to succeed in finding information and to rise to Ben’s challenge. Ben showed great faith in her and had given her the chance to prove to herself that she may still have that head for journalism.

Already, from her little island, totalling almost three years of isolation, with only her own head for company, Evie felt her shores were spreading. Humans were now etching footsteps on her sands. Not only had her friendship with Suzanne blossomed this last year but her sister was on her way and Ben was in her life. And, Ben was inviting her to explore something. Something deeper, which she’d imagined had withered and died. That innate passion to enquire and write. It wasn’t just the opportunity to work at something she would find fulfilling, he was also making her think about the very direction her life was taking.

As she sat at the front terrace waiting for her sister, sheltering from the sun’s glare and basking in a fresh whirling breeze, Evie wondered if she had been deluded in thinking she was the right one for Seb. Ben was quite perceptive and his view would be from the male perspective, so what he’d intimated could be spot on. She found that disturbing, and not something she wanted to face. At least not now. After all, Seb wouldn’t go to such lengths if he didn’t feel something for her. No, she was going to force Seb’s negative influence from her mind today and focus instead on what was right for her. Hopefully, that included Cally. She checked her watch, which seemed to be moving extremely slowly, and grasped her stomach as it gurgled and churned inside. Today would be a test for them both but she hoped they could find some common ground.

Yes, she would be careful. Cally, in her eyes, had been unpredictable and mean in the past, but if her sister had taken the first step to reunite, she would be gracious enough to accommodate her and hope that they could start afresh.

As planned, she had prepared Charlotte’s cake and left it baking in the oven. She checked her watch again and peered in the window to Charlotte sleeping on the sofa. It was then she heard the car approaching. She waved as she recognised the face behind the wheel of the Fiat and unlocked the gates, opening them wide and beckoning her sister in.

Cally dashed from the car, threw out her arms and held Evie tight. ‘Wow,’ Cally squealed, freeing Evie from her embrace and eyeing her up and down, ‘you look amazing, and I can’t remember the last time your eyes sparkled like they are now.’

Taking a deep breath and shrugging her shoulders, Evie beamed. ‘Thank you,’ she said, stepping back and searching her sister’s face for sincerity.’ ‘You look well too.’ Evie reached for her sister’s long chestnut hair. ‘It suits you.’

Cally reached for her sister’s hand, startling her. It was a first. ‘Look. I know we haven’t got on over the years, but like I said on the phone, we are grown up now, I’m sorry I was such a cow and, as long as you can forgive me, I thought it was time we made amends.’

With her free hand, Evie rubbed her ear. ‘I agree. That would be nice,’ she said, leading Cally towards the front door and feeling the squeeze from her sister’s hand. This wasn’t the Cally she remembered.

‘I know. I should have been more supportive. I was telling Mum yesterday, it is sad, we have become so divided as a family. I hope Mum and Dad will come and see you too. Where is Seb, by the way?’

‘Working.’

‘It won’t be easy, but I want to try and make peace there too.’

Evie wanted to pinch herself. Cally was really surprising her now. She knew how much her sister and parents had hated Seb. Although she had made the choice when she agreed to his offer to live in the south of France, he was the one who had divided them completely – insisting she have nothing to do with them if they wouldn’t help support her. Naivety had prevailed. She should have been more assertive instead of letting him dictate who she could see. After all, they had offered support and she could have gone to live with her parents when they had planned to move to the West Country, but she had genuinely believed she would be happy with Seb – building a future together.

Breathing out a big sigh, Evie said, ‘I can honestly say, this last week had been a total whirlwind. Despite starting with a near-death experience, my week has been the best ever.’

‘What? What near-death…?’

‘Come in. I’ll get us a drink and tell you about it.’ Evie beckoned her sister inside and followed her over the threshold.’

‘I forgot how gorgeous this place is. I can understand why you were so tempted.’

Evie cleared her throat. She didn’t feel comfortable talking about the past. ‘Actually, I still have some wine that Seb left here last week, it’s not too early is it?’

Evie led her sister down the hall.

‘Wine! You won’t hear me complain.’

‘I just need to keep an eye on the cake. It’s in the oven. Do you want to take your bags up?’

‘Good idea.’

‘First room on the left,’ Evie said, looking searchingly at her sister and thinking Cally had expanded a few inches.

Cally unhooked her handbag from her shoulder and tossed it onto the hall chair before hauling her small case up the wide marble stairs. A magazine dropped to the floor from Cally’s handbag. Evie scooped it up; it was an in-flight magazine and as she flicked the pages, it opened at an article titled ‘Highlights of the Canal Du Midi’. As she padded down the hall to the kitchen, she began to read it through with interest.

‘Drink, Mummy?’ Charlotte cried from the sofa in the living area at the other end of the kitchen.

‘Oh sorry, cherub, did Mummy and Auntie Cally wake you?’ Evie threw the magazine onto an armchair as she dashed to the coffee table to retrieve the beaker of water for her daughter, settling her again with the drink and one of her picture books.

Cally entered the room directly from the hall by the sofa and immediately opened her arms, reaching out for Charlotte.

‘Oh, my goodness, haven’t you grown, you little beauty.’ She sat down beside her niece, who eyed her with suspicion.

‘Charlotte, this is Auntie Cally, do you remember when she came to your last birthday?’ Of course she didn’t, Evie didn’t know why she felt it necessary to humour her sister.

Charlotte’s eyes narrowed even further.

Cally gave Charlotte her sweetest smile. ‘I think I’ve just made her cross.’

‘She’s just woken up and isn’t sure who you are yet. Give her half an hour and she’ll be all over you.’

Poor Cally, Evie thought, but it was weird to think that, for once, she had more knowledge about something than her big sister.

‘Show Auntie Cally the picture of the ball.’

Charlotte sucked her bottom lip and shook her blonde curls.

‘Ok Auntie Cally. Come with me and we’ll get a drink. Charlotte, you can come and see us when you want to say hello.’

‘Mummy.’

‘I’m going to get Auntie Cally a drink. You can come too if you want.’

They left Charlotte on the sofa pondering and observing them with caution, book on her lap and cup in hand.

‘She’s so gorgeous.’ Cally clutched her heart as she followed Evie back to the kitchen.

‘Thank you. Have you heard from Mum?’

‘Oh, yes. I was going to text you yesterday, she’s fine. Probably drugged up to the eyeballs, but sounding so much better.’ Cally picked up the in-flight magazine from the chair, her mane of chocolate-brown hair tumbled to one side. ‘I’ve got one of these in my bag,’ she said holding up the magazine as Evie uncorked a bottle of white wine.

Evie glanced over. ‘It is yours. It fell onto the floor. I was reading… well, I started the article about the Canal du Midi. There’s barely anything interesting about the history or the local people who live and work around the canal, more about the village restaurants and cafes they can stroll to from their boat. I’ve learned so much about it since I’ve been living here, it’s fascinating.’

Cally heaved herself up on a stool at the shiny granite breakfast bar, watching her sister pour the cool golden liquid into two glasses. ‘I suspect that’s about it. Keeping the advertisers happy – they’ll want people to be off their boats and spending money in the villages rather than digging into its past.’

Evie placed the bottle back in the fridge and handed her sister a glass. ‘Unfortunately, you’re probably right. It would have been better to have added something of historical interest too. I mean, I’ve been delving deeper into the canal’s history and, flicking through this, there’s lots of potential for travel articles. Maybe I should submit something.’ Evie gasped, quite stunned at herself.

‘Go for it.’

‘Oh… I think I’m dreaming,’ she said whisking her hand to her mouth and chewing her nails. Could she really? She would certainly give it some thought. Though without a computer, she doubted it.