The story starts with Mimi receiving a phone call and then a diamond ring in the post. As she studies the ring, she thinks about her past life in Paris, where she met Henri and his friend, Patrick. After a short and exciting relationship, Patrick asks Mimi to marry him. Mimi accepts, the story continues …….

Mimi couldn’t wait to tell her friends the news of the proposal. As soon as she arrived at work, she phoned Chantelle to arrange a lunchtime catch up. Then she went in to see Henri. For some reason she felt very nervous. She entered his office and sat down. When she told him that Patrick had proposed, Henri looked at her and nodded slowly.

‘And you said yes?” He asked

‘Of course “ replied Mimi “why not?”

“ It’s your life – now excuse me, I’m very busy” he said.

Mimi was shocked. Henri was her mentor and a good friend. He was also a close friend of Patrick. Why was he acting like this?

She met Chantelle later and told him about Henri’s reaction

“Jealous maybe?”said Chantelle

“Of what?” Said Mimi

“Patrick of course! Henri always had a thing for you!”

“Really? I always felt he was a father figure to me – or a brother” said Mimi.

They finished their meal and went back to work. Mimi thought she’d mention Henri’s reaction to Patrick later that night.

As they sat down to dinner, Mimi said that Henri didn’t seem enthused about Patrick’s proposal.

‘What did he say?” asked Patrick, looking nervous

“He said it was my choice” said Mimi. Patrick smiled and said that’s exactly what it was – her choice.

They discussed future plans and decided they would move to the vineyard as soon as possible.

The next few weeks passed in a flurry of packing and arranging deliveries of furniture and antiques to their new home.

Finally they moved. Mimi’s parents made them very welcome and they gradually settled into life in south west France. They chose some beautiful pieces of furniture and scoured many brocantes for decorative pieces. The little pink ballerina painting looked wonderful on the wall in their bedroom.

They received many invitations locally and became part of the chateau and village life. They travelled back and forth to Paris for work and Mimi remained good friends with Henri, although he never visited their home in the country. Mimi occasionally accompanied Patrick across Europe when he was searching for antiques.

One weekend, whilst Patrick was away, Mimi went to see her parents. Over dinner, her mother asked when the wedding was to be held and why hadn’t Mimi received an engagement ring yet?

Mimi said that Patrick was so busy setting up his new business he didn’t have the time.

“How long does it take to choose a ring cherie?” Asked her mother.

Mimi decided that her mother was right and on his return, she asked Patrick about the wedding date.

“But we are so busy, let’s think about it for next year?” He said.

“It’s been a year Patrick and also, you have never bought me an engagement ring!” Said Mimi

“Aah yes, we must look for a ring”. He said, yet again.

Mimi was getting tired of his excuses. She let the matter drop and decided to talk to Henri about it.

Patrick went away the following weekend and Mimi phoned Henri. His line was busy so she left a message. She decided to drive to the village to pick up fresh bread and she would call in to see a friend. She never made it to the village because as she turned on to the main road from the chateau, her car collided with a lorry.