Make A Wish
When you fall in love common sense flies out of the window. This is how it was for David and Doris Johnson when they found a down-at-heel mini chateau in the heartland of France. A three year restoration began - and with it a journey of discovery.
At the end of August 2005 one of my lovely grandchildren, nine year old Simona, made her second visit to La Maison D’Etre. She is every bit as bright as a button.
Behind the house there is a leafy lane that runs down to a river ford. This is a cool area in which the commune has created a picnic area with rough tables and large ornamental boulders.
As we approached this spot I turned away from Simona, cupped my mouth and put on a funny voice.
‘I hear tell that she who makes a wish at the water’s edge will have it come true.’
She turned to me and smiled.
‘You said that last year, Granddad.’
‘And did you make a wish?’
‘Yes, I did.’
‘And did it come true?’
‘No,’ she said, ‘it didn’t.’
She hunched her shoulders and shook her head, Then, after brushing away some leaves, she sat on the top of a picnic table.
Then she looked at me curiously.
‘Did you make a wish, Granddad?’
‘Yes, I did,’
‘And did it come true?’
I hesitated for a moment but her eyes demanded an answer.
‘Yes poppet,’ I said, ‘I rather think that it did.’
