The English Rose

Tamara – never Tammy, she hates the shortened version – is Gil's wife. I’d spoken to her briefly on the phone to arrange our meeting. She told me she’d sacked the immobilier, whom she said was incompetent. She's English, but her French is pretty good, now she’s lived over here for a number of years.

When we meet that evening at their house, it feels strange - I'm wearing her dress, for a start. But she’s very gracious and charming. Taller than I’d imagined, with a mane of glossy golden hair, deep brown eyes, and a slender physique. She speaks in the polished tones of a newsreader, and her voice makes me tingle. [The photo is taken from her web page]

Gil has already given me a tour of the house, but Tamara insists on showing me her pride and joy, the garden. As we walk I learn something of her life here. She's lived in the Midi for many years, and worked her way up from the bottom in the catering trade. When she met Gil, he already ran a successful business [selling cars]. Then she became pregnant with Sebastian, and they married and bought the little restaurant she now runs on the banks of the Sorgue.

I ask why they’re selling the house, and she looks sad for the first time.
Business is not so good, she says, maybe we need somewhere smaller?
It’s almost dark now, we’re sitting in the garden but its still quite warm.
How about you Sandrine, she asks. I don’t know anything about you, are you married, what do you do for a living?
Some other time, I say. I'd better get back. Etienne will wonder where I am.
That’s your husband?
No, he's my cousin. It's a long story.
She stands and pulls me up by both hands.
It’s been so nice meeting you, she says. We must have dinner, at my place.
I smile. That would be nice, I say.
She kisses me on both cheeks.
Keep the dress she says, it looks better on you anyway.
As I get in the car my heart is pounding. Tamara has made a deep impression on me. As she waves goodbye I feel excited at the thought of seeing her again. Maybe this is the start of a beautiful friendship?