In my traditional Salut! article announcing the annual return to the Var, I mentioned that Axel, a friendly face among the staff at Le Centre, a bar I frequent in Le Lavandou, had moved next door.
What has happened, we wondered as we sipped our coffee and shared a croissant. Did he stomp off after a row? Was the offer from the Bora-Bora just too good to refuse?
Well, having bumped into Axel this morning, I can reveal that his life has taken a grander turn. He is not a waiter at Bora-Bora but its new owner, or co-owner.
He jumped up to greet me and pass on his news, and I wished him well.
But he knows what he must do to ensure my occasional custom. And as a man from Belgium who knows his beer, it should not be too hard to oblige.
At Le Centre, Axel almost certainly managed to save up all those €0.30 tips I'd leave for just a coffee, maybe two, to rustle up his share of the asking price for Bora-Bora.
Now it is his turn to return the favour. We can discuss live blues and folk music later. For now, I'll keep it simple.
I almost never drink Guinness in the UK, but regard it as a treat when in France. Chirac likes, still likes in frail old age, his "tomate" - pastis with grenadine - for his apéritif. I take a bottle of stout.
Axel should now add his new business to the trickle of Le Lavandou establishments that offer its export variety ...
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