Author Archives: annecburchett

I try to call Tim at five. It’s four in London and the lunchtime drinks party must be finished by now. His mobile is turned off and I leave him a short message, wishing him a happy Christmas. In the evening we walk down the road to Notre Dame. Altar servers holding lit torches standContinue reading “Chapter 26 – A Rest and a Brutal Return to Reality”

I go home to change at five. The Circle of Wine Writers Christmas party, a good opportunity to catch up with other wine professionals, is taking place tonight. Tim is a regular at such gatherings, which, I suspect, he sees as ideal hunting grounds. I call him to suggest we go together. He sounds surprisedContinue reading “Chapter 25 – A Christmas of Two Halves”

I hang about at head office after the board meeting, hoping to catch Marguerite Villa and continue our conversation about my father. Two hours go by but she doesn’t make an appearance: time to go back to my hotel for another solitary evening. I crouch under the desk to unplug my laptop. ‘Why does MargueriteContinue reading “Chapter 24 – Running on Empty”

In order to avoid bumping into Arnaud, either at Gatwick or on the plane, I fly easyJet from Luton the following afternoon. I jump into a taxi at Bordeaux airport, and arrive at my hotel shortly before nine o’clock. Dinner on my own doesn’t appeal and I go straight to bed after succumbing to theContinue reading “Chapter 23 – The Board Meeting”

I make for Jen’s office. I may as well get all my awkward meetings over in one go. She’s on the phone when I walk in. ‘Hold on,’ she says to her caller. ‘Do you have five minutes?’ I ask. She gestures for me to sit down before turning her attention back to the phone.Continue reading “Chapter 22 – Coming Clean and Coming Down”

Monday turns out to be a perfect crisp winter day. Despite my exhausting weekend, I wake up early, alert and impatient to go to work. My office is now the most attractive place on earth as the most exciting man in the world is working next door. I sing all the way there, skipping anyContinue reading “Chapter 21- Back to Business”

Three hours later, I’ve relaxed into some kind of party spirit. The Scottish dancing helped as did my gorgeous and very tall Australian partner. Tim has obeyed my injunction and stayed away from me, even though I can spot his shirt at the back of the room in the middle of a group of locals.Continue reading “Chapter 20 – The Fall”

Five o’clock strikes at long last. My feet are sore from shuffling on the spot and my knees ache from standing for too long. Philippe lines up all the empties on the floor in front of the stand while I move the half-full bottles out of sight at the back. I’m not fast enough thoughContinue reading “Chapter 19 – The Mysterious Dominique”

A flock of visitors spills inside the room as soon as the gates open. They’ve paid twenty pounds each for their ticket and most of them intend to drink at least forty pounds’ worth of booze during the next few hours. The more practised aim for the Champagne stands before they get too crowded orContinue reading “Chapter 18 – The Consumer Wine Fair”