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‘Thanks, Gabe, this looks great’ Her hair was co the fa up her fork

‘I have worked at Rafferty’s since I was legally allowed to get a job Before that I spent every moment there’ Her voice istful, filled with love

Gabe pictured the iconic store, its large do the expensive London street on which it was situated It was always busy, exuding wealth and gla and as restless as its patrons, prowling in search of the bag, the outfit, the décor that would make them unique, special It was easy to see why she loved it

But then his mind turned to the chateau, to the acres and acres of vines, the scent of lavender and the scarlet flash of poppies The old grey building, covered in ivy He loved the buzz of retail but had to adical, could match his home The look in her eyes, the note in her voice spoke of the same deep connection

‘It’s your home,’ he said

‘Yes!’ Polly pointed her fork at him ‘That’s it But only temporarily It was made very clear toto be mine Grandfather even wanted me to study History of Art instead of business, not that I took any notice of him’

Soon the past; if Gabe had done that he would still be in Provence, weeping in the graveyard ‘But now look at you In charge of the whole store’

Polly took a bite of the ohtful ‘I told you I went away to find myself The truth is I had no choice Grandfather ca Rafferty’s over to Raff’ She laughed but there was no humour in the sound

‘My ex had just got engaged and Grandfather was concerned forit too late, “letting the good ones get away”’ She sed ‘He said it was for e, have children before it’s too late’

‘That was unkind’

‘It hurt me’ It obviously still did, her voice and her face full of pain ‘So I left my job, my home and I went away to try and work out who I ithout Rafferty’s But then Raff walked away, for good this time, and I came back’

She looked at Gabe, a gleam of speculation in her eyes ‘I have to adot back to find you already in place At first I thought Grandfather was trying to replace Raff, but now?’ She shook her head, oncethe precarious knot of hair ‘I wonder what kind of ga’