It makes me laugh that you can’t use a mobile on the road so as not to disturb the driver’s concentration…

I know something worse for that.
What?
The knees of the woman one loves.

They’re going to have to legislate or…
Pervert!

What does “pervert” mean?
Aren’t you sleeping?

Sarah and Jimmy are, but me, I’m hot!
It’s long!

We’re here.

Huh? The house across the street’s being worked on.

Mmh? We’re here? We can get out?
One second. I’m opening the gate.

Ohh…

This place hasn’t been looked after for a long time…
A very long time. The vineyard’s in a state…
Wait—meeee!

Anyone there?
Ha, ha ha.

Worried?

HEY! I’M THIRSTY!

And you’ve torn your T-shirt.
Who? Me?
Ah, yes.

Where are your sister and your cousin?
JEAN! YOU COMING?

I’m there!
Don’t do anything stupid…

...or, do it sensibly.
Yeah! ‘Kay!

Come see!

Whatcha doing?

Go back there and shut your gob!
Hey ho!

Look…
Wha. You can see them well…

Sh.
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE THIS TIME?!

WHAT IS IT, THIS CEMENT? YOU’VE DONE IT ANY OLD WAY!!

I ALWAYS HAVE TO GO AGAIN BEHIND YOU! IT’S NOT TRUE!
GO ON! YOU DO THAT AGAIN FOR ME THE RIGHT WAY!

YOU’RE LUCKY THE BOSS DIDN’T SEE THAT!

How do I redo it?
WHAT?

ARE YOU MESSING WITH ME OR ARE YOU AN IDIOT? I SHOWED YOU YESTERDAY! SORT IT OUT YOURSELF! I’VE GOT TO GO DO THE FORMWORK!

What does “formwork” mean?
Sh!

Go, my Jeannot!

Push.
Stay right.

Haha! The baby who doesn’t know how to ride a bike!
Without the little wheels!
Look ahead of you!
Go, Jean!

That’s better!
See, Mum, I’m coming!

I’m coming! I’m coming!
I’m com…?!

Haha! Poor midget!
IT WAS THE TIRE THAT SLID!

I’M NOT HURT! I’M NOT BLEEDING!
Show me that…

Ha ha, I know it well, that one. You’ve struck gold.
Up until yesterday, I was keeping it for my father who wanted to replace his old R.21.
And… he doesn’t want it any more?
His older brother – 87 years old – just decided to give up driving. He gave him his car.

You can thank my uncle Joseph: this car is available. 18,000 km. Perfect state. A gem.
And, uh… we can try it out?

No, sir.
It’s not that you can.
You must.
Madame, I beg you.

Gigi, can you do me a favour? They’re coming to take it tomorrow at 5pm. I’m scooting out, I’m up to my eyes, I have to go find my mother.
OK.

You’re an angel, Gigi. Remind me to marry you when you’ve ditched your husband.
Scoot. Or she’ll give you a scolding.
My mother? That would astonish me.

How’re you doing? You eat well in your hospital?
I HAVE TULIPS IN MY VASE.

Ah?
That’s…
That’s cool…

You recognise me, Mum? I’m… I’m?
Simon.
Ho. It’s Simon.

No… In fact, I am…
Johnny Hallyday!

You want an autograph?

No, just kidding. It’s Simon.

What are you looking at?
It’s the bazaar, their thing…
What thing?

The roads. The houses. It’s the bazaar. Where are we going?
What?

We’re going to your house, Mum. I already told you…
Ah yes…

Unbelieveable…

C’mon! I’m going to show you something.

You remember that I had a serious accident two months ago?

Well, okay. Stupid question.
I’m going to show you anyway.

You see. It’s there.

I arrived like us…

...and behind me, the van.

The semi comes in from there. He doesn’t see me.

He takes position, he catches sight of me, he slams on the brakes…

He smashes into me and catapults me against the embankment!

Behind me, the van brakes like crazy, skids…

It ends up in the ditch and bam! Smashes into me from behind.

I find myself in my pulverised car between the embankment and the lorry. And, behind me, the van!
Me, I’m fine.
“A miracle!” say the firemen.

All right. Let’s go. They’re going to be waiting for us.

Ow!

DON’T STAY THERE. YOU SEE VERY WELL THAT IT’S DANGEROUS.

C’mon, Jimmy, look,
Who is it?

You don’t recognise? My big brother and me…
Dad? That’s Dad with the long hair? Ha, ha, ha!

Is he well?
Yeah… Hee hee, his mug!

Why doesn’t he ever come to see you?
He cut his ties…
...After he had a big fight with my grandfather. I know. That’s what they tell me every time. But you, the children, you never see each other again?

It’s coming on, it’s coming on… You see, now, he lets you come on holiday with your cousins.
HEY! JIMMY!

Come see! Quiiiick!

Hey! You promised to help me empty this cupboard!

Flight: a hereditary mania, huh, big brother…

Wait for meeeeeeee!

And shit.

FUCK, YOU’VE GOT NOTHING IN YOUR ARMS!

It was too heavy. The wheel slid on the pavement…
A FULL WHEELBARROW OF CONCRETE! YOU’RE REALLY GOOD FOR NOTHING!

AND WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR, THERE? FOR IT TO PICK ITSELF UP?

I’m gonna tell the boss:
I’m happy to train apprentices, but I can’t do anything for the ones who can’t be taught!

In fact, I believe you’re stupid.
You’re stupid, my poor boy.
Stupid to such a point…
You’re stupid, what…

Okay, I’m going back. You do an armful before you take a break.

Hey… ‘dyou see that?
It’s disgusting.
I didn’t see. What’d he do?

He did well!
I didn’t see! Tell me! What’d he do?
Sh!

Hey, a car. It’s them.

How’re you doing? We’re not late?

Hello, Mum.

Hello.
It’s Jeanne.

You recognise Jeanne, Mum?
Yes yes.

Sarah, Jean, Jimmy. Come and say hello to your grandmother.
...and to your uncle!

Hello, grandmother.
You’re cute…

Hello, Simon.
What?
Hey! What did she say?

Mum, I’m Simon. He’s Jean…

...and he’s Jimmy, the son of Arnaud.
But he’s not there.

And here, do you recognise it?
It’s a beautiful house.
It’s your place, Mum.

Ah yes.

Come on.
Are we going to watch telly?

Say, Simon, she gets weirder and weirder, grandmother.
That. Never bored for a second.
And why is she so weird?

Mmh? It’s like she has holes in her brain.
Holes? In the head?!

Not real holes. Fake ones.
Fakes?

Yeah. But holes all the same. Fuck.
You got them, the holes?

Ha, ha! No. Not yet. Don’t worry. Uncle Simon remembers everything!

For example, he remembers that you were supposed to know how to ride a bike at last.
So, kid? Have you done it?
You’re talking…

He does three metres and he breaks his face!
AND SO? I DID THE THREE METRES!

A vast question: How far a distance must one have travelled before one knows how to ride a bike?

GROOAR!

OW!

Watch out! You could have sheared my head off!
You scared me, imbecile! You’re completely thoughtless!

Well… How long since you got here?
We just arrived…
Hey, it’s while you’re on holiday for two months that you work hardest!

When are you renewing your stockpile of jokes about teachers? I’m going to finish preparing lunch. Will we have a beer?
We’ll make the effort!

Uh… hello…
Mmrh’lo.

And, uh… enjoy your meal….
Mmhankyou.

SARAH? JEAN? JIMMY? LUNCH!

Where were you?
Mmh? Just there. Don’t worry…

I don’t want to see you playing in the street, especially you, Jean.
Why me?
Because you’re little.
HEY! I’M FIVE!

And I don’t want you to go and get in the way of the people on the building site. It’s dangerous. Understood?

Hey! You just damaged your car!

Ho, Clément! You’re spraying pebbles everywhere with your machine! You want to move your break so I can bring my Clio back to the garage?

But it’s not risking anything, your Clio. It’s far away and…
I’m not taking the risk. In my job, you have to have an impeccable car.

What?
It’s normal. The clients see it. In a sense, my car… is me.
I suppose I mustn’t laugh… I’ll go find my keys.

Simon’s gone?

Ho! Simon’s gone?
Huh? No, why?
His car – isn’t there any more…

Ha, ha! I’m still here!

And you, Mum, are you all right?
I’m very well! You are working hard!
YEAH!

I tell you, it’s fine! The moped and the car aren’t behind the house any more: they’ve gone.

ARGH!

I bumped myself! I’m bleeding!
You’re a pain in the arse! We didn’t have to bring you –
They’re calling us!

KIDS! DINNER!
It huuuuuurts…
Shut up!
Go on, run, Jean!

WHERE ARE YOU? DINNER!
I’ve got to think about grafting them with a GPS tag…

We’re here, Clément!
No kidding? Go up, wash your hands, we’re sitting down to dinner.

Go up…

You don’t say where you did that. You just have to say you fell in the garden.
I’m not a liar…

Huh… what do I tell them?
I have an idea.

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH…
Are you mad? He must have hurt himself!
Well, yeah. In the forehead.

What’s going on?
WHAAAAAAAAAAA… HE PUSHED ME DOWN THE STAIRS!!!

Your forehead’s bleeding just a little. Come on. We’ll take care of that…
WHAAAA
Do you understand that he could have hurt himself badly? Why did you do that?
To do him a service.
Are you messing with me?
Try me.

Little Jimmy, I advise you not to take that tone. Apologise.
You’re not my father.
That doesn’t permit you to be insolent. I’m waiting.

Very well. You’ll have dinner when you’ve apologised. Run to your…
Hey. Where are you going?

Little fool.

OK. Forgive me.

It’s true, the slap, I needn’t have done it.
Well, er… You want some water?

This’ll be paid for.
What?
Listen! A car!

It’s Toussaint!
Hi, Toussaint!
Hi, kids!

You’ve been able to come, finally…
Well, yes. I have the time. I’m coming to help you.
Hey! D’you see?

Hello, Toussaint!
How are you, Jeanne?
Hey! What’s that?

It’s my tent. I’m going to pitch it in the garden.
What? But, no. We’ll find space for you.

No, no, I don’t want to put you out.
I can sleep with you?!

Haha! There he is!
Huh? You’re here? I didn’t see your car.

Mum, you recognise our friend Toussaint?
Hello.
It’s not a sure thing. They’re not seen as often.

Come on, Mum. Toussaint. The family’s official pauper!
Heheh… he’s a dick…

Simon… you know what your number one quality is?
? No. Go on. I don’t know.
Neither do I. But it’s not tact.
?...Why d’you say that?

I said something stupid? Haven’t we been helping you for years?
Well, yeah.
Jean? Are you ready?

Go, Jean!

Haha! Bravo! Bravo! Haha!

HAA? DAD!
Don’t let go of the handlebars!

Hahaha! Go on! We’ll start again!
I’m going to bed. Good night.

Mmh?
Mmhrkiss?

You mustn’t do that…
He just parked. He’s not going to be late.
Hold it. There he is.

Hey, mister…

Er… He hasn’t arrived, the other one?
Quentin? Not yet. Why?
I have something to tell you.

Hello.
A question:

Did you, yes or no, spit in my sandwich yesterday noon?

Yes.
What? Fucking little shitwanker!

Listen well to what I’m saying to you: I have to go get some material, that’s me for the morning…

...you, you finish the foundation and that fucking little wall. And you disappear.
We’ll make it regular with the boss very rapidly. But…

I ADVISE YOU NOT TO BE HERE WHEN I GET BACK!
ARGH! LET GO OF ME! YOU’RE GOING TO PULL OFF MY EAR!

Pull off his ear? Why’s he want to do that to him?
Because he spa…
Because he works badly. All he does is fool around.

That can’t do him any harm. He’s there to learn.
You’re talking about pedagogy!
It’s worth the slaps.

Hey, it’s fine. I apologised.
In any case, it’s true that the builder, he’s really strict.

You’ve just discovered the wonderful world of work, sweet Sarah.

Yeah well, me, I don’t want to be a builder!

Work hard at school and you can choose the career you want.
Ha, ha. Work hard at school and you’ll be the one who pulls the ear more often than the one whose ear is pulled.

Oh, well done…
What? Didn’t we just say the same thing? Pass me the jam.

Do you have apprentices, Mum?
“Apprentice”, “apprentice”, ha, ha ha!
Translator’s note: Jean finds the word “arpette” (=”apprentice”) very funny. I think this may be because “péter” means “to fart” in French. “Arpette” thus sounds like “R pète” = “R farts”. A very childish joke, but Jean is only five years old.

Apprentices, no, interns, sometimes…
And do they get their ears pulled when they work badly?
Hm… You know, in administration, the customs are more polite… but it comes to the same thing…

At the joinery, your father took them sometimes, apprentices…
...That always worked out very well.

You remember that, Mum?
Of course. Why?
Right. Shall we get to it?

It’s nearly midday. Is he finished?
Almost.

He’s going!
Shut up a bit!

If you see that fat idiot again, you can tell him that he’ll never see his wife again, seeing as I’ve buried her.

...simply to breathe…

Take a sabbatical year, for example…

...that’s all I want to do with this money…
And your mother? She understood that her house was going to be sold?

Mmm… we told her… but you’ve seen. I don’t know.
The doctor who follows her thinks that this little stay here with us could help her to understand…

Say, where are you going with that, Simon?

To clear out the bottom of the garden. It’s rotten with brambles. I found this in the garage. Total defoliant, it’s going to be Chernobyl!
We’re going to do that manually, okay?

Fine.

If you like.
You go to it.
Chin up!

Okay. I’ll take care of it. Properly.
I am a wretch. Shame submerges me.

Fuck, it’s hot.
...and Arnaud? He could have come to help us, no?
He signed the papers at the notary’s. He accepts that Jimmy’s come. That’s it already.
Her highness is too good. Where’s Mum?
She’s having a siesta. You want to bring her in on it all the same?

Why not? It could maybe do her some good…
Right. I’m going to clean the pigeon-loft.

That’s it… go…

Pfff… That’s enough for today. I’m going to shower!
You want me to stay and watch the fire?
No, leave it. We’ll come and see from time to time.

Right… er… I’m going to gather the plums…
The children wanted to do it with me… Where have they gone?

Pfff… that’s good for today…
Come on. You’re finished?

Nearly… Talk about a jungle… I’ll finish tomorrow… a little spray of defoliant and done.

Ah.
What?

Nothing.
I’ve said nothing.

But what’s wrong with you three this evening? Toussaint made that plum tart for you.

Er… I… I’m not hungry, that’s all…

Me neither.

M… me neither.
Ha, ha! But I know how to cheer them up!

Ah… Simon’s accident… a long time ago…
Sit down on the grass. I’m starting!

Good. So…
I’m driving…
Vrooooom…

Comfy.

Vrooooom…
I arrive at the crossroads of death…
Pom pom pom…

Fine.
In his heavyweight, the fat mammoth who makes no blunders.
Brooohhhmm

Meh? But… mwhadizzit?
Hold it, a car, on my right… does it have the right of way?
Mmh?

Me:
EEEEEE??

BANG PAF CRASH BELENG

There I am in the ditch!

Behind me, in his van, the other dick
Simon.
...the other imbecile…

...busy picking his nose:
Yum yum!

SUDDENLY, WHAT DOES HE SEE?

A lorry crossways on the road! A car in the ditch!
He slams on the brakes!
He skids!

Me, in my pile of sheet metal:
I ask myself what’s happened…
I hear li’l birdies…
coo coo cheep cheep

Ha ha ha ha ha!

Wahop!
Buh…
I’m a bit dazed and…
Ha ha ha!

Re-bang! I get the van in my ar
Simon.
in my bottom!

Car pulverised! Smashed!
But…
BUT…

Uncle Simon: Intact!
Tada!

Hahaha! Do the dazed again, Simon!
To bed, kids!

I’ll help you to bed too, Mum?
Aren’t we going to watch telly?

Good night, Irène.
Good night, Mum.
Good night.

You got a job right now, Toussaint?
Ouf… a bit in between…

And you’re getting out of it?
Please…

I am the builder who’s working across the street. Er… have you seen Quentin, my apprentice?
Why?

Er… we had a bit of a fight this morning, and…
Yes. We heard talk of that.
I… Er… He stole something from me, something… precious.

Oh? What’s that?
A… a photo, but…
A photo of your collection of apprentices’ ears?

N…no.
A photo of my wife, dead for 25 years in a fire in our house.

Forgive me.
No. You must forgive me. All of this is nothing to do with you… But without that photo, I…
Come and sit down…

It was always in my vest. I left it there this morning, he took it…

...I’m sure of it.
It’s too hot…

It’s too hot…

It’s too hot…

You… you’re married?
Er… not at the moment.
Me neither.
I am. That is… it comes to the same thing.

And… it’s working out?
Very well. Really. Thank you.

Yes… us too, it was really…

I talk to her sometimes…
For 25 years, I’ve been talking to that photo.

Can you imagine what it would be like, without her?

Huh? No. I couldn’t… It’s beyond my powers…
Yes. For me, it’s the same.

One evening, about two years ago, Jeanne calls me from her office. She tells me she’s going to do some shopping before coming back…

Two hours later, she’s still not there… A neighbour explains to me that a serious accident’s just taken place on the four-lane road at the exit from the city…

I start to break down.

One hour later, she’s still not there. I make Jean and Sarah eat dinner. I put them to bed and I wait.
I lived for an hour with the certainty that she was one of the victims of the accident.
That I would not see her again.

An hour to fall into the void…

...and then she arrived. She had simply been blocked by the bottleneck formed by the accident.

Since that day, the sound of the tyres of her car on the gravel, in the evening, is like music.

Ah… forgive me! I shouldn’t have…
It’s fine.

Your apprentice must come back.
Yeah!
I hope so. I hope above all that he still has my photo. I…

You don’t have any others?
Everything burned…

Go back to your place. We’ll try to find it.
It’s better if it’s not you, right?
Perhaps… Thank you.

Try to sleep a little…
Right. We taking your car or mine?

Jeanne! You’re crazy! Somebody’ll see us!

Mm… say. You’ve got a sunburn, there.

Jimmy! Wake up…

I’m not asleep.
Me neither. I can’t stop thinking about the buried woman.

I… I think I’m going to go and see in the house across the street if she’s there…
What?

She’s crazy, that one!
You coming?

You heard?

What are you doing there, kids?

We’re looking for the dead woman. Don’t get angry.
What dead woman?

We’re not fooling. The guy, he told us he’d buried the builder’s wife.
Yeah!

He buried the photo.
The what?

It was a photo he meant. A simple photo…
Nobody’s been buried anywhere.
That’s not what he said!
We heard him well…

And you, what have you got?
His parents haven’t seen him. They’re a bit worried. They considered calling the cops but the kid’s been of age since recently.
We saw some of his friends as well. Same thing. No news.

What does “of age” mean?
He’s 18 years old. He does what he likes. He isn’t obliged to keep his parents informed…

Whaa! He does what he likes?!
Go on! Bed, Sarah.
I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep.

Yes, you will. Don’t worry. I’m going to stay with you for a bit.

And me, when I’m 18, I’ll do what I like?
Yes…
WHAAAA!

Buried, okay… but where?
A mystery wrapped in a riddle wrapped in an enigma.

You’re not eating, Mum?
I want to go home.

Jeanne?

It’s hard, huh?
Mmh…
Come on, sweetheart. Remember how she was this winter…

...and what the doctors told us. She’s with us again finally. And that, that’s good, no?

I don’t know… Frankly, I don’t know… it’s difficult…

I know. But I’m sure that she’s well-off here, despite everything…
Hum hum….

Ah. The awakening of Toussaint the Camper. Sleep well?
Not bad. Hi. Hello, Jeanne.
Hello, Toussaint.

Hot coffee, Irène?
Nah.

Fuck, it’s a heavy day already… hi, everyone…
Sleep well, Mum?

Yes, Mister!
Great. That’s good form, I’d say.

This morning, we’re starting to clear out the cellar. Old Man Verger is lending us his lorry.
Toussaint, do you have any interest in the round table my father made?
No, thank you. It’s a nice offer.

You’re wrong. It’d be a good replacement for the old table we gave you.
No, no. Thank you.

As you like. Otherwise, it goes to Emmaus…
One of Dad’s tables to Emmaus?! He must be cursing you in his grave!
Translator’s note: Emmaus is a charity for the homeless.

I propose that we divide the lot into three parts: what we keep, what we throw away, and Emmaus…
If you want to make up for your mistake, you’ll go there and pay extra for it!

The kids are still sleeping?
They’re recuperating from their nocturnal emotions!
I don’t like seeing them like that. When the builder gets his photo back, it’d be good to show it to them to reassure them.

If you like, I could go out again to look for this Quentin, this morning.
Thank you, Toussaint.
Good idea.

Yeah. Go for a walk rather than help with the move. I would have liked to have that idea before you.

Quentin hasn’t come back?
No.

You know, if he buried it, as the children claim, maybe that means it hasn’t been destroyed…

Maybe.

Er… Our friend Toussaint has started his search again. He…
Why are you doing this for me?

To be perfectly frank, we’re doing it for the children too…
They’re worried, they’re sick with believing that there’s more to it than a photo.
You… you don’t have to stay on your own… if you could come and have dinner with us this evening?

Dad! Mum! Telephone!

Clément? It’s me… Listen, I’ve seen his friends, the places where he hangs out, nobody’s seen him. Nothing on your side? ...I’ll come back, I think…

Was it the telephone that woke you up?
Yeah.
Have you found the dead woman?

Gogogo! Brekkie, and we’ll talk about it.
I want cocoa…

...Why did he bury the photo, then?
To annoy him, I tell you. To get revenge. Because he knew that the builder cared a great deal about it…
And you, you’d be sad if someone stole photos of Mum?

That’s different, Jean. Your mum is there… I mean to say, she’s alive!
The builder’s wife, when he made the photo, she was alive too? You made them, photos of Mum for when she’ll die? When will she die?

Mum?
Mum?!

SIMON! HAVE YOU SEEN MUM?

I’m suffering.
HAVE YOU SEEN MUM?

Mum?
Mum?!
Irène?

Mum?

Mum?

Jeanne will be relieved.

I’m taking you!

Will I call the police station?
There’s Toussaint!

He’s bringing Grandmother with him!

You scared us, Mum! Are you all right?
Yes yes…
She was by the riverbank…

By… by the bank? Hey… do you think that she…
Who can say what could have happened?
“That she” what?

Thanks, old man!
Without you, we’d be orphans without a doubt.
Huh? Why?

Oh, Toussaint! Thank you!
Up with Toussaint!!

Wha?

Look at this big balls-up, all moved!
It’s fine…

You… you’ve been shouldering me for such a long time… if I could be useful, it’s… it’s good… I…
Heheh! “Big balls-up”!
Big balls-up! Big balls-up! Hahaha!!
And you’ve made them smile! Thanks for that too!

They’re still worried? Tomorrow, I’ll look again.
Hahaha! Big balls-up who has no balls!
Haha!

Come on, we’re going back… Hey, you! Who taught you those words?
It was Jimmy!
What? Whatever!

Old doors for the fire…
Oh?

Jeanne!

Ah, yes. I remember. Mum won them in a raffle.
They’ve never been used.

She hated bicycles.
The one she received 50 years ago is there too.

Oh, and there! Full of books!
And there! Cases of wine!
Hey, boys, she just received a letter from the town hall.

“Madam, I have the honour of informing you that you have been struck off the electoral list of our district for the following reason: power of attorney removing electoral capacity.”
What’s that?

It’s a consequence of putting Irène under guardianship. She’s no longer considered fit to vote. That’s how it happens…
Shiiiiiit… Even for me, that’s a blow, and I never vote…

Note well, this also has a good side…
Huh?
The French Right just lost one of their most passionate voters…

HAHAAHAHAHAAHA!

HEY, MUM!
LOOK IN FRONT OF YOU!

You’re not sleeping, Toussaint?

No. And you?
I’m gonna do a peepee…

Hey, Jean. I have an idea: you want me to teach you to ride a bicycle? We’ll go, the two of us, quietly.
In the middle of the night? You’re not crazy?

You’ll surprise them tomorrow morning! That’d be cool, right?
Nah… I’m sleepy…

As you like… Goodnight, Jean…
Goodnight, Toussaint…

Quentin?

What are you doing there? Who are you? I’m taking these tools for my pay! I have the right!
Calm down!
My name is Toussaint. I live across the street… Where’s the builder’s photo?

What’s that got to do with you?
Get out of here!

He’s very unhappy…
...and above all, this business is scaring my friends’ children a little. It’s… it’s important for me…
He can drop dead!

I know very well how much it means to him! It’s my only weapon! I’ve got no other way to piss off this arsehole who treats me like a dog!!
You got something to propose in exchange for that?

I have a secret too.
A real one…
...that I never told to anyone.

Will we exchange?
What?

I give you mine, you give me yours.
But I’ve got no need to be pissing about with your thing!
Ah… anyway… what is it?

Fifteen years ago, one evening, in a car, I knocked over a cyclist. I panicked. I fled.
The next day, in the local press, I learned that he had died…
I didn’t move for a week.
I didn’t have the courage to give myself up. So, I decided that I had to pay my tribute to this family.
I found them. The cyclist had a wife and three children.
Jeanne and her brothers.

One day… Jeanne and Clément were walking by the riverbank… They rescued in extremis a desperate man who “was trying to drown himself.”

It was me.

And voilà. Contact is made.
I told them I’d just had a breakup.
At the time, my plan was simple: to be the grateful and generous friend. I was already working. They were still students. We got on well.

But, three years later, I lose my job.
Rapidly, I have problems with money.
They’re the ones beginning to work.

They were my only friends. They offered to help me!
In the beginning, I refused passionately!
Of course, they didn’t understand why.

But, not finding any work, I… I surrendered… I accepted…
I was going to burn my bridges, but…

...I understood something…

Seeing them becoming my benefactors, I believed I had failed…
BUT NO.

I am saving them! I lead them to good deeds. I save them!

Without them, I would have been on the street for a long time. I know it. They know it.

I’m their pauper, their good deed.
I, who killed their father, I am their peaceful nights!

There it is.
You know everything.
You are the only one. I am at your mercy.
Your turn. I’m listening.

But… but… uh… w-why are you telling me all this?
Because you asked me.
But… you… uh… you have evidence?

None.

Uh… I… I’ll verify it, huh…

Fuck it, anyway! You’re pissing me off with these stories! I’ll tell you where the photo is if it matters that much to you! And I’ll clear out with my tools…

Have pity on me.

Toussaint?

IT’S THERE!
IT IS THERE!

What are you doing?
COME AND SEE!

It’s a builders’ custom to leave a bottle in the foundation! Here, Sarah…
Break it!

Hey, mister…
Mmh?

Thank you! Thank you very much! Was… was it you who found it?
Oh no…

It was Toussaint. He dug all night!

How can I thank you? You’re saving my life…

Hey… ho… Let’s… let’s have a break…
We’re nearly there!

You’ve already said that three times…
Hahahahaha!

Keep at it a bit, old man. I often tell you, you don’t succeed at anything in your life because you don’t know how to push yourself!
Will we go up by the forest before we go back?
Ah, no. Mercy. I’m going down.

You see? What was I saying?
Gogogo! Without the brakes! Two minutes of pure terror!

Move aside, runts! The way down is the kingdom of the heavyweights!

Come back, coward!
I’m going down the other side!
You have no chance!
Wanna bet?

Be good, big kids. We’re away for two hours.
Yeah, yeah…

Why do we have to bring Grandmother today?
Because that’s what the doctors advised.

Oh, right.

Jean, sit down and put on your belt…

Is it your dad who’s going to come and get you?
Yeah, I think so, but…

HEY, YOU OVER THERE!

Isn’t your grandfather there?
Huh? Er… w-why?
Don’t piss about. Answer.

But… our grandfather’s dead. We didn’t know him…
What did he die of?

Er… he was run over on his bike by a driver…
Yeah!

...who was never found!

I am happy to see you again, Irène. So? How has this little family trip gone?
We haven’t remarked any notable change, but it’s mostly gone well. Right, Mum?
Except one day she escaped! We didn’t know where she was at all!

Ho, ho?
Tell me about that, my man.
We looked for her everywhere! But we didn’t have time to call the police because Toussaint, Dad and Mum’s friend, found her by the riverbank. He put her in his car and he brought her back to us!

By the riverbank, Irène?

It could be said that you’re very lucky to have this Toussaint for a friend!
Well, yeah, heh!

FFUUUCCCK

Ho, Simon…
Are you all right?

Hey?
D’you see me? It’s Toussaint, your friend Toussaint…

Simon, shit!

I’m fine… I… I was afraid, mate. That’s all.
You’re sure?

Yeah. My mother-in-law’s fine bicycle will only be used once…
Heheh.

Even the rear wheel is buckled.

You struck lucky again this time…

Uh… you know what?

I… I just realised that, logically, my accident could have cost me my life…

It’s true. The violence of the shock, the state of my car: everything was trying to make sure I didn’t walk away.

So, the days I’ve lived since then, what’re they?
A surplus?
A little extra?

And me, the big fool, what have I done with this miracle? Nothing. I carry on selling cars, like an idiot who’s learned nothing from all that! Cars! Of all things, cars!

...And…
...And you, Toussaint, you’re there… you… you’ve been struggling for years but you come and help us, happily. And me, I make fun of you with my stupid advice… You have to… in fact, I…

I ask you to forgive me.
Simon!

Wait for us… my chain fell off…

Whaa…
Simon tried to reach orbit by bike. Total failure.
Hey, Simon, will you mime it for us?
Later, my beloeved public. First the shower.

Damn. If I brought my bike home in that state, I’d get a real scolding!

And you, no news?
No… actually, yes, the apprentice came. He wanted to see Grandfather.

Oh? Did he say why?
No. We explained, he left.

He’s weird, that kid, no?
Are there any cold beers?

Well…
We’re going back.

See you, Mum.

Er… excuse me…

You… are you part of the family?
Mhh… yes and no.

You look a lot like Jimmy…
Yeah. I’m his father. Arnaud. You are?

Toussaint… I… a friend of Jeanne and Simon…
Hi. Yeah. Heard talk of you.

And uh…

...you’re not joining them?

Not necessary… I always had a difficult relationship with my mother… and with my father too for that matter…

Yes… I…
...Jeanne talked to me about that a little… But that’s all far away now, isn’t it?

To be given up to the cops, at 17 years of age, by your own parents, because you deal a little bit, that doesn’t pass like that. They wanted to save me, to cut me off from what they called “my bad influences”.

I wasn’t dealing “a little”. I got a two year custodial sentence. At that time, I would have willingly killed my father myself if a driver hadn’t taken that on. The old man collapsed, he became depressive. I’ve asked myself if he didn’t throw himself in front of that car.
No, no! Don’t believe that! I…

What do you know about it? You never saw him!

N… no. That’s true, I never saw him.

I would have liked to.

Soon they’ll both be in that hole… You must join Jeanne and the others.

Mind your own business.
This is my business. These are my best friends. They’re not that for nothing.
Come on.

Say…
Come.

We’ll go together.
Hey?

Let go of me, shit.
Do it for Jimmy.

Hey!

Leave me alone, asshole!

Okay…
I don’t know what took me…
Excuse me…

I’m sorry.
Wipe yourself…

He forced me.

Wow! A big day!

Leave it. We’ll do it.

Toussaint.

N… no… I…
Go on.

Ooohhhhh…

Be brave, Simon.
Ooohhhh…

What? I can’t hear.

I’ve pinched something in my back, fuck! It’s really painful!

It’s no better?
This makes a fortnight that I’ve been off work and I’m still in pain.

Otherwise, I would have helped you.
I don’t doubt it.

It’s good there, no?

Huh? I think it’s good.
Yes, yes…

I preferred it without.
Me too.

Huh? It’s ugly, that stupid sign! It stinks!
Yeah!
It stinks of poopoo!

What’s that?
They’re joking.
Okay. That’s it. The house is empty.

On behalf of the agency, I thank you for your trust!
Who told her we trusted her?
Stop it.

You okay?
Yes, yes.
Vrooooom!

There’s Toussaint!
Hi!

Let us raise our glasses one last time on the land of our ancestors…

And us?
There’s water in the car. Come with me…
Toot toot!

Say, the area’s going to change… I saw that the building site across the street was nearly finished…
Yes… Quentin, the apprentice, came back to work there at last.

He came to see us once or twice… He’s actually a nice boy, one you can talk to…

Will we leave the shutters open?
Why not? A bit of light can’t do this old house any harm…

WAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Toussaint?

Mum, what’s up with Toussaint?

I don’t know, Sarah.
I don’t know.

They will never see him again.