by Colette Rosenhof » Wed Apr 13, 2022 12:49 am
"A sudden departure wizout good reason would, yes. But zere is a clause zat allows one to apply for an extension because of a work placement or study abroad program." Colette had been thinking about this for a little while, it seemed, perhaps she had been looking into it before Basil's disappearance.
"You must want to spend time wiz your friends, and your grandparents - I do not wish to interfere wiz zis, and if I can I want to be zere wiz you, to help you if I can. But if you feel later zat you need some solitude, a distraction, a change of scenery.... I did have an idea. I zought zat perhaps someday, for a little vacation, we could go to some little chateau in France, or Spain, or Romania, or anywhere for zat matter. Just you, and me, and ze grounds and countryside."
Colette fidgeted a bit, because she wasn't totally certain of this idea herself. "Zere are, zhroughout France and mainland Europe, chateaus and estates zat have fallen into disrepair or been abandoned. Some are available for sale, some countries like Italy will give you ze property if you apply wiz a plan to manage it, and some have owners already zat are looking for property managers. It would be hard work, a lot of learning as one goes, but... it would present an amazing challenge and experience. And perhaps an opportunity to truly work togezer, to grow and develop, and perhaps test to see if our relationship is capable of becoming healzy. Turning some beautiful little forgotten place into a place where people could take a relaxing holiday, or act as a wedding venue."