Free An Unexpected Affair by Jan Ellis

and he brought them over.”
    And there he was: still tall and slender, his hair just as dark and curly as she remembered it, and with just the tiniest hint of grey. Eleanor gasped and brought her hand to her mouth.
    Seeing her, Christophe ran over. “Madame, are you unwell? Please sit down.”
    He pulled out a chair and gently ushered her into it as she stared silently up at him.
    “Oh my word,” said Jenna.
    Clearly puzzled by the reaction, Christophe looked from one to the other for what seemed like an age.
    “ Mon dieu ,” he said at last. “Ella? Is it you?”
    All Eleanor could do was nod mutely.
    “Ah, what a surprise! How wonderful to see you,” he said, smiling and grasping her by the shoulders. “You look marvellous. Thomas, bring us some more coffee and cognac.” He sat between them on the banquette, next to Jenna who just stared at him open-mouthed. Composing herself at last, Eleanor introduced Christophe to her sister.
    He bowed slightly and kissed her hand. “ Enchanté , Madame.”
    “Likewise, I’m sure,” said Jenna, quite won over by his old-fashioned manners.
    “So what brings you to Chevandier after all these years?” he asked, looking at the women.
    “We’re just having a little holiday,” said Eleanor quietly.
    “Why did you not tell me you were coming? Rosanne would love to see you again.”
    Eleanor looked puzzled. “Rosanne?”
    “My wife! Don’t you remember Rosanne? You shared a flat with her and Marie. Thomas, call your mother.” So the handsome young waiter was Christophe’s son, after all. “I must introduce you to my boy.” The young man bowed and shook their hands before dashing into the kitchen. “And here is my beautiful daughter, Elena.” He stretched out his hand to the pretty girl they had seen working behind the bar.
    Eleanor looked at Christophe. “Elena?”
    He smiled sheepishly. “You know that I always loved your name.” As he looked at her from beneath his long lashes she felt a jolt as her body remembered the thrill she had always felt when she was near him.
    At that moment a tall blonde woman in chef’s whites came out of the kitchen, looking slightly harassed and wiping her hands on a cloth. When she saw them a puzzled smile spread across her face. “Eleanor?” she said, extending her arms and giving both the sisters kisses. “This is a surprise. Your meal was good, I hope.”
    They both nodded and insisted that it had been delicious. After chatting for a while, Christophe clasped his hands together and said “You must come to the vineyard for lunch on Monday when we close the restaurant.”
    “Love to,” said Jenna, grinning broadly. “Wouldn’t we, El?”
    “Oh, I don’t know . . .”
    “It would be our pleasure,” added Rosanne.
    “Please come,” said Christophe, looking Eleanor straight in the eyes. “My parents would be so happy to see you again. After all this time.”
    Eleanor smiled weakly, completely overwhelmed by it all. “That’s very kind,” she said eventually.
    “I will send Thomas to collect you from your hotel at 2pm.”
    “Perfect,” said Jenna. “We’ll be ready and waiting.”
    “Excellent,” said Christophe. “I’m afraid that I have to close up the restaurant now, but Thomas will walk you home.” And despite their protests, that’s what he did.
    In the end Eleanor was glad to have his company. Even though she knew where they were, her mind was in such turmoil that she wasn’t sure that she would have been able to guide them back home that evening.
    When they arrived at the hotel Jenna kicked off her shoes and collapsed on the bed. “Wow, what an evening.”
    Eleanor peeled back the shutters and went out onto the balcony where she sat with a shawl wrapped around her shoulders, gazing out over the square but not really seeing anything.
    “Fancy the divine Christophe being married to the Teutonic maiden.” Jenna had heard all about Eleanor’s house-mates over the years and was intrigued to meet