Chapter 19

He found his friend sitting at the table in the garden, now changed into sweats and a T-shirt. Alain had never seen Simon dressed so casually before. It was almost more intimate than seeing his naked body. He had a glass of wine in front of him, though it looked untouched. He glanced up when Alain stepped into the garden, but his face didn’t reveal his thoughts. In fact, it was impossible to read him at all.

“Sit down. Would you like some wine?”

Alain nodded and went into the house to fetch a second glass. When he returned, Simon hadn’t moved, and he took the seat opposite him at the table, already fearful of how this might play out.

“Marc extended his thanks again for the evening,” he said as he poured out his wine. “He asked what our plans were for tomorrow.”

“I thought we would spend the day and evening in the village. Did he indicate he wanted to see us again?”