Growing Close
Womans Weekly Fiction Special|July 2020
He was bursting with new ideas and ambition – but was their new colleague going to come between them after all these years?
Charlotte Sawdon
Growing Close

Françoise ran barefoot from the room, from the reception, with her brand-new high-heeled shoes clutched tightly in her hand. As she slumped into one of the nearest chairs on the empty vineyard veranda, the offending shoes slipped from her fingers and tears began to wet her cheeks. What have I done? she thought desperately – all she’d wanted to do was impress, but instead she had made herself a laughing stock in front of the assembled gathering – her employers, her workmates, the invited guests. But worst of all, before him.

She and Pierre had been friends at the local village school, and when she got a job at the vineyard his parents owned, she couldn’t have been happier. She couldn’t think of living anywhere else except this beautiful part of Provence, but now her dreams had been shattered. She knew she couldn’t stay, but where could she go?

She and Pierre had left school at the same time and had worked together for the last six years. All day, everyday, they had gradually learnt the job together; learnt everything, from looking after the vines to blending the wine. They had grown close and even Monsieur and Madame Tanguy treated her like the daughter they had never had.

But now, her idyllic life was collapsing around her. When did this all begin? Perhaps it was that morning when Pierre had met her with a broad smile on his face…

‘Françoise! Great news – my parents have arranged for me to go away on a viniculture course.’

This story is from the July 2020 edition of Womans Weekly Fiction Special.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the July 2020 edition of Womans Weekly Fiction Special.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM WOMANS WEEKLY FICTION SPECIALView All
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

The Perfect Gift

The change to their Christmas plans was a shock, though it could teach them a lesson…

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2020
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

Christmas Is Coming

With all the mess, noise and disruption, she was seriously struggling to embrace the festive spirit

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2020
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

The Generation G-App

It was a lovely idea, but surely there was no way the project would become a successful reality?

time-read
8 mins  |
December 2020
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

The Christmas Tree

The cottage had no festive cheer, but could Jennie create the impression of Yuletide joy before it was too late?

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2020
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

We All Stand Together

If the plan failed, Joan wouldn’t be the only one having an unhappy Christmas

time-read
9 mins  |
December 2020
The Christmas Robin
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

The Christmas Robin

Presents to buy, food to cook and a tree to decorate – could she create the perfect day?

time-read
8 mins  |
December 2020
Maudie's First Christmas
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

Maudie's First Christmas

With all her dreams of a family Christmas dashed, it seemed that Ruth would have to adjust to a very different festive season this year...

time-read
8 mins  |
December 2020
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

Friends Like You

Leah was about to find out what sort of people she’d had in her life all these years…

time-read
9 mins  |
December 2020
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

Breaking Point

She hoped her children would start to compromise soon, or they were in for a distinctly frosty festive season

time-read
9 mins  |
December 2020
A CHAT WITH... Sarah Morgan
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

A CHAT WITH... Sarah Morgan

Well-known for her heart-warming family tales, Sarah Morgan’s latest novel is packed full of love and laughter. Here, she reveals how she comes to craft her characters and she gave her new release that sprinkle of festive magic...

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2020