Chapter 5
Gabrielle groaned. An alarm clock buzzed relentlessly on the bedside table. She flopped close to the edge of the bed and extended an arm to yank the plug from the wall. When the noise stopped, she rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. Fear immediately clutched at her heart although she struggled to recall why, until the events of the night before flooded back. Oh yeah. That horrible, prickly feeling as though someone had been spying on her.
Yet, daylight was peeking through her window and such fears felt distant now. It must have been her imagination playing tricks on her last night. Good thing she hadn’t clobbered her sister with a hammer because of it.
A clattering sound from the kitchen had her out of bed and reaching for her dressing gown. Annette must be up. Now that she thought of it, she could smell the comforting aroma of fresh café.
The sofa had been returned to its previous state and the cushions were all arranged prettily. She passed through, tying a knot at her waist. Padding into the kitchen with bare feet, Gabrielle grinned at the sight of her little sister, busy filling two white porcelain cups with the steaming beverage from a coffee press and adding hot milk.
“Voila,” Annette said, placing them on the table along with two warm croissants. She dusted off her hands, clearly pleased with herself. “I ran down to the bakery on the corner. They bagged them still hot from the oven for me.”
“Mmm, it smells delicious. Just what I needed.” Gabrielle pulled out a chair and slid onto it, thankful her headache from the night before was gone and overall, she felt pretty good. She picked up the frothy drink and allowed the vapours to tantalize her senses. Sipping it, she rested back on the chair, dipping her head from side to side and rubbing her neck to ease the muscles.
“I’ve decided to go out for the morning to a few of my favourite spots. That way you can be completely alone.” Annette peered at her over the rim of her cup, tucking a stray corkscrew curl behind her ear.
“A few of your favorite shopping spots?”
“Maybe,” Annette looked purposely evasive, staring out the narrow kitchen window, a slow grin widening on her face. “Alright, yes...” She rolled her eyes with resignation. “Of course, it’s for shopping. You know me and my love of clothes.”
Gabrielle reached for a croissant and tore a flakey piece off one end. Popping the buttery morsel into her mouth, she considered her sister’s outfit as the young woman hopped up to get them each a napkin. She was dressed all in black. Her long-sleeved, cropped jacket featured large gold buttons down the front, matching a pair of shorts that fastened in the same way. She wore a pair of black patent loafers that were tres chic this year, and her legs were sheathed in gossamer black stockings sprinkled with velvety black dots. A small black shoulder bag, slung with gold chains, and a pair of sunglasses lay ready and waiting on the table beside her.
Annette’s hair bounced with a healthy sheen, the chocolate curls a perfect foil for long gold earrings that swung to and fro as she seated herself again. Her face glowed with youth and vitality. Also, from a lot of bronzer, if Gabrielle wasn’t mistaken. She squinted and looked closer at Annette’s tanned face yet pale white hands.
“Do you approve?” Annette asked with a toss of her head. She dropped onto the other chair, her hazel eyes regarding Gabrielle solemnly.
“I love it. It’s a really cute outfit.” She decided to say nothing about her sister’s unusually brown face.
They caught up on family news, had a second cup of coffee, and enjoyed one another’s company for the next half hour. Finally, Gabrielle pushed away from the table and stood, tightening her robe.
“I’d best get to work.” She glanced at a clock that hung next to the pretty green cupboards. “It’s nine. That will give me three solid hours. Is that okay? You can be back here at noon, and we’ll go out to Chez Hélène for lunch.”
“Ooh, I’d love that.” Annette reached for the cups and the empty plate, swiping crumbs onto a crumpled napkin. She waved away her sister’s help. “No, you get dressed and start to work. I’ll see you soon.”
Gabrielle gave her sister a hug and hurried from the room. She planned to study first and shower after. Quickly throwing the rosy pink spread across her bed and plumping the pillows, she dressed in a yellow track suit and opened the window for some fresh air. It would be hot today. The sun already beamed into her room from a tiny round window near the ceiling, wrapping her in its warmth. She stepped around the bed and grabbed her cell phone from the dressing table.
Opening it, she saw that her friend, Sandi, a girl from the USA, who was in Paris studying French, had written to ask if she wanted to meet later. Tapping out a response for a rain check, she explained her sister was in town, sent it and turned the phone off. No distractions allowed. She found a hair elastic, wound it around her unruly mane of hair, and went back to the kitchen.
It was tidy, but empty. What a sweet girl Annette was. Gabrielle carried her stack of books to the kitchen table, sank onto a chair, and got to work.
* * *
She lookedup from a thick volume where she’d been taking notes on the influence of traditions in culture, when a key rattled in the lock. Glancing at the clock in horror she realised it was nearly twelve. She hadn’t moved from the same spot for over three hours. If they didn’t go for lunch now, the restaurant would close until dinner service at seven tonight. And she’d promised.
Slamming the book shut, she gathered her papers and shoved them into her book bag before dashing straight to the bathroom. She flipped on the shower while she undressed, then stepped under the steamy water and lifted her face to it, feeling the needles of hot water wash away the stress of upcoming finals. The afternoon would be a welcome respite. Maybe she’d even take Annette to meet Andrew. Although introducing her to a new male friend might revive unpleasant questions concerning Lyam and his sudden disappearance.
She shampooed, conditioned, and washed in record time, then wrapped herself in a huge white towel and brushed her teeth. Flying out of the bathroom, she waved at Annette, who reclined on the sofa paging through a fashion magazine.
“I’ll be ready in ten minutes,” she called, slamming her bedroom door behind her. A dress was what she needed. They were always the quickest outfits to put together. Her armoire door crashed into a chair as she flung it aside. The whole standing closet rocked unsteady for a moment, and she heard something heavy topple from behind it. Gabrielle groaned in frustration, but there was no time to worry about it. She began scraping hangers back and forth on the rail.
The blue dress? No, it had a small coffee stain she couldn’t get out but she couldn’t bear to part with it until giving it one last scrub. How about the yellow sundress with blue flowers that tied on the shoulders? Too summery. The green one! Perfect.
Yanking it off the hanger, she flung the boho style dress across the bed and dropped her towel. Moments later she stood in front of her mirror to assess the effect. This particular maxi dress always made her feel stylish yet comfortable. It was made of three long tiers of cottony green fabric covered in a pale pink rose print that gathered at the waist. The long sleeves were puffed at the shoulder and ended at the wrist in a huge bell shape. Long, silky ties allowed the wearer to fasten the V-neck tight at the neck, but she left them undone. She paired it with fancy flat sandals, a choker necklace, her hoop earrings, and a large floppy straw hat that matched a purse she found shoved in the back of her closet.
Her long dark hair fell in wet curls to her waist, but there was no time to dry it now. Sunshine would have to do that job for her. She added lip gloss, a touch of mascara, slipped her cell phone and wallet into the new purse, and dashed through the salon.
“Je suis prêt!” she announced, picking up a sweater in case it turned chilly.
Lazily, Annette consulted her watch, closed the magazine, and rose to follow her. “That was fast. I’m impressed. And the good news is that I think your purse is large enough to fit your hammer should you wish to be prepared for another late-night terrorist attack.”
Both women broke into a fit of giggles as they exited the apartment. Pointedly, Gabrielle refused to look at the front of her door.
Chez Hélène was bustling with customers, but the proprietress, who knew Gabrielle well, met them with a hug and les bisous, kisses, on each cheek. Then, she found them a little table on the raised patio. The fa?ade of the restaurant was picturesque. Painted a light shade of robin’s egg blue, it stood out among all other shops on the street with low-hanging swaths of purple wisteria decorating the front. Gabrielle breathed deeply, closing her eyes to enjoy the powdery, delicate scent. It was reminiscent of lilacs, but sweeter.
Busy waiters wove between tables balancing trays over their heads as the warm glow of springtime sunshine bathed them in its glow. Hélène bustled around in a blue dress that rivalled the bright colour of her storefront and perfectly matched her welcoming eyes. Her dark hair was braided and had been wound around itself to create a fat bun at the back of her head. She hummed a tuneless song through generous lips painted a deep red. The rather eccentric lady stood out from the typical, sixty-plus and conservatively dressed women of Paris. She disappeared inside the building, then burst from the doorway bearing a loaded tray, pausing at their table to set two rose-coloured drinks in small, fluted glasses before them.
“Kir Royal!” Annette said with pleasure. “Merci beaucoup.”
The lady nodded cheerily at them. “Vous avez choisi?” she asked. They ordered and the owner continued on her way.
Annette snatched up her drink and held it out to make a toast. “To the end of school for Gabby,” she said, clinking glasses with a tinkling laugh. “How did Hélène know to bring these?”
“Sometimes I come here after a long day and order one. I suppose she takes it for granted now.” Gabrielle took a sip of her ruby-red drink and lifted it to the light, considering the contents. Crème de Cassis and champagne, what a flavorful and pretty combination.
Her cell phone beeped. It was only a reminder she’d set for herself. But her mind immediately went to thoughts of Andrew and that she had given him her phone number the night before. Hesitantly she said, “There’s someone I’d like you to meet after this, if you don’t mind.” She looked searchingly at her sister.
“A man?”
Gabrielle twirled the tiny glass in her fingers, watching the liquid roll back and forth, admiring how it sparkled in the sunshine. She nodded. Without looking, she knew Annette’s eyebrows were shooting up with interest. She added, “He’s just a friend.”
“That’s what they all say.” Annette said dryly. “What happened to Lyam? You know we’re all curious. One minute you were a couple and then, poof, he was gone.”
“I can’t discuss it.” Gabrielle sighed and lifted the glass for a revitalising drink. She’d known this would happen. Why had she been so foolish as to even mention Andrew? It was inevitable that Annette would be curious and ask for answers about Lyam. But Annette would be staying at least a week. She couldn’t very well ignore Andrew until then. She looked directly at her sister. “Do you want to hear about my friend? Then you can decide if you want to meet this man.”
“Of course. I always want to know the people in your life.”
While they waited for their lunch, Gabrielle told the story of how she had helped Andrew, explained about the wine shop, their dinner out, and how he had caught the thief in the métro. She omitted the kiss and handholding. That was something she couldn’t quite believe she had allowed to happen, and certainly didn’t feel like discussing the situation with her little sister. It was probably for the best that Annette had arrived. Her presence would prevent any further closeness with Andrew. She wasn’t sure of her feelings in that area. It was too soon after Lyam, anyway.
Annette listened with rapt attention, her chin resting in her hands as she leaned on the table. “Superman, hey?” Her eyes had widened at that part of the story. “I’d really like to meet him now. Are we going there soon?”
She leapt back as a server interrupted them with the usual basket of crunchy baguette and fresh spring salads made with baby arugula, asparagus, cucumber, sugar snap peas, artichoke hearts, thinly slice radishes, and mint. It had been drizzled with the special dressing made by Madame Hélène herself, and was delicious.
“I have never had a better salad anywhere else,” Gabrielle speared a forkful and transported it to her mouth with a sigh. “When we are done, I will take you to Caviste de Tremblay.”
They ate in leisurely silence. The restaurant was alive with the sound of laughter, the clinking of glasses, and a chorus of chirping birds in nearby trees. It was a perfect spring day in Paris.
“Comment vont la mère et le père?” Gabrielle asked, as they finished with a coffee. She thought of her parents every day and often wondered how they were. Each one led such a busy life. Her father was a doctor and her mother an X-ray technician working long hours at the local hospital.
“They are fine. Nothing changes. They work too hard, but it is what they like to do.” Annette shrugged expressively.
“And you? What have you done with your art lately?”
“I’m always doing something to further my passion. I just finished taking a series of classes on the great impressionists.” She smiled distractedly. “I can only dream of being as good as them one day.”
“You have all the talent in the family,” Gabrielle patted her sister’s hand indulgently. “I’m proud of you.”
“Merci.” Annette placed her espresso cup into the saucer and straightened. “Are we ready? I am anxious to meet this brawny man from the Canadian Prairies.”