Category Archives: Novel

I continue reading. ‘I could have told her that parents lie to their children. I misled Christine about the realities of the wine business. Because it meant so much for me, I made it sound better for her, brushing over the long hours and the poor pay. I was so proud when she chose toContinue reading “Chapter 34 – The Truth”

At home and loaded with Nurofen I am too restless to lie down. I pace the living room floor, my mind racing, disregarding my tired and aching body. The first anniversary of Papa’s death is in two weeks. What have I achieved since that mad race out of Argentina? My throat tightens and my eyesContinue reading “Chapter 33 – Papa”

I hear raised voices coming from the left. Sainsbury’s buyer has stepped back from Ed and Philippe. He looks cross. Philippe glances at me and urges me to come over with a nod. I take the few steps which separate us, trying to reinstate some sort of smile on my face. ‘James, sorry I haveContinue reading “Chapter 32 – The Pits”

Ed’s grumpy and won’t say why. He greets Philippe with a mumble and a half-hearted nod from the door instead of his usual politician-on-the-campaign-trail handshake. Mary has to repeat her offer of tea or coffee twice before he shows any sign of having heard her. Once in the meeting room, he slumps in the firstContinue reading “Chapter 31 – A Damning Article”

February vanishes in a flurry of client meetings, short visits to France and long telephone calls with Arnaud. He’s become so impatient he doesn’t wait for me or anybody else to get to his office when he needs to talk. He carries out pretend long-distance meetings where he conducts conversations with up to three differentContinue reading “Chapter 30 – Good Bye Tim”

Ed joins in the applause which concludes the performance and proudly announces we’re only running twenty minutes late, quite a feat by our usual standards.  He then gives the mike to the export marketing director who proceeds to tell us about the organisation of the international fairs where Villa’s exhibiting this year. We’ll be supportingContinue reading “Chapter 29 – Misunderstandings”

I get an email from Rachel the following day. She’s had all the info back from stores and she’s about to invoice Villa for £27,753. Could I confirm this is acceptable? Her question is purely academic. Supermarkets deduct whatever they want from suppliers’ payments and the ensuing disputes are lengthy and fraught with pitfalls. YetContinue reading “Chapter 28 – Old Sins”

Matt hails me as I pass his door. ‘I may not be able to get a new laptop for Philippe straight away.’ I slump in the chair opposite him. ‘With half of my team gone, it may take me, let me see, three weeks to order it and six to set it up,’ he says.Continue reading “Chapter 27 – The Beginning of the End”

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”