Cast of Characters
The Brits
Tilly
45. Single mum. I live with my mum in St John’s Wood in the house I grew up in. Co-own a publishing company with close friend Ian. Francophile having worked in France for 4 years after business school. Conde Nast Paris, Lintas Paris, Lynne Franks London, Ketchum, Brandsmiths and now Think. Love bubbly, first courses and puddings; don’t like stews. Have always been a working mum. I know no different. So although different, I too have some challenges in moving to France.
Hosy
11. Elder sibling; only daughter. Very tall, very bright, not sporty. Speaks very little French but is pretty amazing in all other subjects. Fun and funny. Doesn’t sleep. Going to secondary school in September. Loves crap American telly and Jacqueline Wilson. Writes songs, plays and cartoons in PowerPoint. Has a very narrow food repertoire but is fab at baking.
Rex
9. Younger sibling; only son. Loves football. No I mean, really really loves football. Eats, sleeps, plays, dreams football. And Tottenham. Speaks very little French but the international language of football means he’s never without a friend wherever we are in the world. Handsome and bright. Obsessed with symmetrical numbers, times and dates like 22.22 or 1.3.13. Loves all food and loves to try new tastes. Moving school in September; will be in year 5.
Popsy
Cockapoo. Chocolate-coloured. Besotted with balls and never ever leaves our side if he can help it.
Babar
Tilly’s mum. Kind, generous, loving. We live with Babar in London and Tilly and Babar co-own house in France. Enjoys a tipple.
Ian
Tilly’s business partner and friend of 27 years. Yes, really. Moody and grumpy. But we wouldn’t have him any other way. Generous to a fault. Has a dog called Noodle. We love Noodle. We think Noodle loves us too.
Daisy
Tilly’s celebrity sibling. Ha ha ha ha. Confidante extraordinaire.
John, Milly and Daniel
Bro-in-law, niece and nephew. Lovely, loyal and fun.
Susannah
Tilly’s best girlfriend for 33 years. Totally fabulous; totally bonkers. But we wouldn’t have her any other way.
Tone, Adelaide and Win
Susannah’s husband and children. Totally wonderful.
Cheeky
Our car – Fiat 500, white with red roof.
The French
Bapou/Marthe
Our friend and housekeeper. Full of energy, life and love. Franck, boyfriend, Adine, his daughter. A plethora of children and grandchildren.
Mickaelle
Bapou’s daughter. Beautiful, lovely, fun. Children Noah and Noemie, husband Fred.
Monia
Bapou’s other daughter. Again, beautiful. Lovely and kind. Children Luca and Kali, husband Lionel also known as Titi.
Christine
The children’s tutor and my friend. Husband Philippe, daughters Gaelle and Ninon.
Martin
Christine’s son. 9. Fellow footballer. Rexy’s mate.
Alison and Oliver
English but have retired to Montpeyroux. A wonderful source of local knowledge and customs. Alison plays in local Irish band, the Ballyshannons. Very funny.
Claude and Veronique
The mayor and his wife. Welcoming and incredibly nice.
Pauline
Their daughter; lived in London for a few months. Tilly became her surrogate mother.
Valerie and Francois
Tilly’s first friends in Montpeyroux. Used to run the bakery, now run the alimentation.