A Perfect Paris Christmas - Mandy Baggot Page 0,36
like it intended to defy everything known about its species and its lack of taking-to-the-air ability.
Who knew penguins could run so fast? Or that a creature usually known for being cute could terrify the crap out of the citizens of the French capital? Yapping dogs were fear-whining and retreating as it flashed past them, grown businessmen were clutching their iPhones to their ears and leaping out of its path… and now Pepe was heading for the road.
‘Excusez-moi! Excusez-moi! Bouge toi!
The man was getting caught up in a group of people who were coming together in an attempt to take a selfie with the Eiffel Tower in the background. Pepe was about to sprint off the pavement and into traffic. Mopeds gathered pace beeping their horns, taxis continued to buzz along and now there was a van revving its engine as a pod from its roof extended out and up, a man in its basket ready to hang Christmas garlands. Keeley couldn’t wait. Dropping the carrier down, she stepped up her pace. Then, praying it wasn’t going to hurt too much, she launched herself forward, hands outstretched, focusing on her black and white feathered target…
The pavement rose up to meet her and its cold, hard concrete impacted through the thick padding of her coat. But her fingers had definitely met small and fuzzy and she clung on, ignoring the ache in her ribs and concentrating on establishing her connection with the animal, dragging it towards her and out of the gutter. A bicycle rang its bell in warning and then suddenly Keeley found herself propelled backwards.
*
Ethan caught his breath as he sat on the ground. There was now a woman and the penguin between his legs, only a few inches away from the roaring of the Paris traffic. He felt sick, as if the sweets he had consumed were going to make a reappearance. He was also completely out of breath. He really did need to get back to the gym.
‘I’m… not sure how long I can hold it for.’
Ethan shifted then, gently moving the woman’s weight from his body and shuffling around her to grab Pepe who was squawking like he could front a heavy metal band.
‘I did not know it was going to be so… crazy,’ Ethan admitted to her. ‘But that might pay off later.’ He watched as the woman gingerly got to her feet, travelling back a few paces to where she had abandoned the carrier. She brought it over and Ethan managed to place the bird inside before ensuring it was securely locked this time. He turned away from the animal to the woman, noticing she hadn’t quite caught her breath yet and seemed to be holding the side of her body.
‘You are hurt?’ he asked her.
She shook her head. ‘I’m fine.’
‘No,’ he said. ‘You spoke the words like you are not fine at all.’
‘I’ll be OK,’ she answered. ‘I’ve been through much worse.’
‘I can call a doctor,’ Ethan said. She looked pale, her skin in contrast to the brown waves of her hair. She was a little shorter than his five feet ten, lean, but not too skinny. Pretty.
‘No,’ she answered. ‘I don’t need a doctor. I… probably just need a cup of tea and some of the cakes I held off from.’ She took another deep breath, closing her eyes for a second. She opened them again.
‘Are you certain?’ he asked. She had the most beguiling eyes. A mix of not-quite-blue-yet-not-quite-green. ‘I can easily call someone.’
‘I think you would be better off taking care of your penguin.’
Ethan glanced down at the carrier. Pepe had his beak sticking out of the gate, half a sardine in its mouth. Was this a madness brought on by all his insecurities relating to the hotel? Should he take the penguin back to where it belonged and stop with the childish desperation?
‘I should get back,’ the woman said, about to turn away.
‘Wait,’ Ethan said, reaching out and catching her arm. ‘I…’
He found himself rendered a little speechless when she turned back to face him. She really wasn’t pretty. Pretty did not cover it at all. She was uniquely stunning and he couldn’t quite quantify it. All he knew for now was her eyes definitely had something to do with it…
‘Let me,’ Ethan began, his voice a little broken. ‘Um… let me, as an apology, suggest some places for you to visit while you are in Paris.’ He couldn’t stop looking at her. ‘ You are visiting, yes?’ What was