Category Archives: Novel

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”

The taxi stinks of unwashed armpits, takeaways and rose air freshener. I’d open the window but I don’t want to be rude. Forth One is blaring out. I can’t recall being asked if I minded the radio being on so loud. When we stop in front of the Parliament House hotel, I throw the fareContinue reading “Chapter 17 – Drunkenness and Temptation”

We return to the boardroom for lunch. Somebody has pulled up the blinds, and the cold unflattering winter light falls flat on every surface, revealing dust and cobwebs in the corners. The three cardboard crates, in which the plastic trays containing our lunch have been delivered, sit half-torn apart, in the middle of the room,Continue reading “Chapter 16 – A Poisoned Chalice”

The third presentation of the day is meant to be a short update by Ed of the “transatlantic situation” as he describes it. ‘We all know how important the Canadian and American markets are for French wines and how crucial it is that Villa should be able to start selling over there again,’ he says.Continue reading “Chapter 15 – Testoterone, Tears and Tasting”