Page 85 of Love In Provence

‘Are you gay?’ says his mum. ‘Because I love you just the way you are.’

‘No, Mum, I’m not gay!’ Ed blushes. ‘Sorry,’ he says to Graham and Keith, who laugh.

‘I didn’t think so. But Jean down the road said she thought you were and that’s why you didn’t go through with the wedding. I told her she was wrong. I said to your father, “We need to go and tell him we love him whatever. He’s got no reason not to come home.”’

‘I’m not gay,’ Ed says quickly, ‘but I do want different things. I know you want me to come home. But …’ he takes a deep breath, ‘… that’s not where I want to be.’

For a moment no one says anything. The candles in the courtyard burn brightly in the warm summer’s evening.

‘No, son. We know. And maybe it wasn’t you thatneeded to come home, but us that needed to learn to spread our wings. I’m sorry. We realize now we were trying to get you to be what we wanted you to be, not letting you be yourself. With us only having you, we’d put everything on you and that wasn’t fair. Sorry.’

His father gulps and Ed steps forward and puts his arms round his father, who is taken aback, but then embraces Ed. I have a feeling it’s the first time they’ve hugged like this, but maybe not the last.

His mum puts her arms around them both.

‘We were just so proud, what with your degree and a lovely girlfriend, but it’s not about what we want. We don’t want to see you unhappy. You have to follow your dreams. Like we did. They’re just different dreams.’

‘Now, come and join us,’ says Ed. ‘There’s plenty of food, a lot of which I made.’

‘You? Cooking?’ says his mum. ‘Well, that’s a turn-up for the books.’

‘I always thought you’d be creative. Your nan was a smashing cook!’ says his dad. His mum nudges her husband in the ribs, looking cross. ‘And your mum, of course!’

Keith helps seat them around the table and puts out knives and forks. Ed and Maria head to the kitchen where I can see they share the kiss they’ve been wanting to do since they first met.

More food is laid out, sharing plates and main courses, everyone helping again. The music and theconversation start again. Just as lively as before, with Ed’s mum and dad being introduced to the mayor, Carine sitting with Zacharie and Samuel, and hearing about Henri’s riverside project.

I look around the table. Everyone is here, the past, the present and the future, and that’s all down to Henri. It’s not where we are but who we are because of him and who we’re with. Wherever there’s a table, Henri will always be with us. I chink glasses with Rhi, and watch Fabien dancing on the old rugs with little Louis and Tomas, harmonica in hand. This is my future. We may not know what it will hold, but it is my future and I am happy.