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“Kings Upper.”

“Holy shit! That’s our school!”

I grinned. “How funny that I meet you in France. Well, at least I’ll know one person when I start next week.”

“Pat’s there too, so you’ll know two people.” Jack grinned.

The three of us spent some time swimming, and as we swam, we chatted. Both of the boys were into music, so we had that in common and we talked about the bands we liked. They gave me some insight into life at Kings Upper. They liked it and said there was a good crowd of kids there.

It gave me hope.

We sat at the side of the pool, enjoyed some more Cokes, and talked some more about Chiswick and where they liked to go. They’d lived there all their lives.

“I’d better head up to the manoir,” I said. It must have been about 6:30 in the evening.

“Cool, my folks will be back soon. They’ve gone to visit some vineyard or something.” Jack smiled at me. He was very easygoing—except where Patrick was concerned.

Ah. Little brothers.

The feeling of loss swelled in my chest, but I did my best to ignore it. Pulling on my shorts, I grabbed my towel and the desecrated T-shirt. “Perhaps I’ll see you tomorrow?” I asked. “You can come swim in our pool.”

He grinned. “Yeah, sounds like a plan.”

I let myself out the front door and wandered back to the main house. Dylan and Lulu were heading to the front door carrying tennis rackets.

“How was your swim?” Dylan asked with a fond smile as we climbed the steps.

“It was cool. Is there a tennis court here too?”

“Yes, it’s behind the pool. Do you want a game? Though it’s a little late, now.”

“I can’t play tennis. I just wondered, that’s all. Oh, I invited Jack and Patrick to come swim in your pool tomorrow. I hope that’s okay?”

“Of course, Emily, you don’t have to ask.”

“I’m going to shower, Dyl,” Lulu called as she climbed the stairs.

I followed her up.

Madame Gombert had made us a lamb stew. I ate a little and said yes when Dylan offered me a glass of rosé. He looked like he was working up the nerve to ask me something. After supper, he finally summoned up the courage.

“Tomorrow, I need to go into Bordeaux to do some legal stuff, and I wondered how you would feel if you and Lulu went shopping for some new clothes.”

Lulu clapped her hands with glee. “Oh, please, Emily, can we?” She bounced up and down in her seat.

Dylan took out his wallet and handed Lulu his credit card. “Go mad,” he urged.

“Really?” Lulu’s eyes widened.

He nodded, a very serious expression on his face.

She grinned.

“But—”

“Emily. Please. It will be fun.” Her eyes were begging me, and I only had three T-shirts with me. Lulu was good at clothes.

“Okay,” I acquiesced.