leave caution behind but… you should not simply feel that everyone you meet is who they appear to be.’ He looked away then, seeming to clamp together like a bad mussel. Was he talking about himself? Or about an experience he had had?
A silence between them grew, the only sound the musical accompaniment from the roundabout. ‘Well,’ she began, ‘I met you on the street. And you were chasing a penguin.’
He raised his eyes to hers then. ‘But I have not taken you out.’
The way he said the words made Keeley’s heart beat a touch faster. She didn’t know what to say in response. She was so out of practice. Did she want him to take her out? And then just like that the ride came to a halt. She needed to say something. Take the lead. Own her future.
‘Have you had dinner?’ Keeley found herself asking, her voice all the shaky and hesitant. ‘I mean, I had quite a big meal at lunch time but—’
‘Non,’ Ethan said, getting down from the ostrich-bird. ‘I have not had dinner.’ He put his hands into his pockets and said no more.
‘We could… maybe… get something together?’ How old was she? This was not sounding all that smooth and confident like she had hoped. But she knew, no matter what his answer was, Erica was going to be so proud of her. This was a giant step forward!
‘Oui,’ Ethan answered. ‘OK. How about we can choose somewhere from the map?’
He had said yes! Her heart grew little butterfly wings as he held his hand out to her.
‘I know you have enjoyed it, Keeley,’ he whispered as she placed her hand in his. ‘But it is time to get down from the lion.’
The way he said her name – all the sultry and all the French accent – made her insides feel like they had been dipped in the fizziest prosecco. She smiled and descended with as much grace as she could, until she was stood beside him. ‘I understand why you like it here.’
‘You do?’ he asked, his warm breath visible in the air between them.
‘I do,’ Keeley said, nodding. ‘It’s… I don’t know… somewhere they don’t make postcards of.’
Ethan nodded. ‘They should make postcards.’
‘They should,’ Keeley agreed. ‘I would definitely buy one now.’
He smiled at her. ‘And, I know exactly where we should go next.’
Twenty-Six
Rue Des Barres, Paris
‘This is so beautiful,’ Keeley breathed.
Ethan smiled at the pleasure in her tone. This was exactly what he had hoped – almost quietly anticipated – to come from her when they arrived in this thirteenth-century street situated in the 4th Arondissment. It was the soft, peaceful, old-fashioned side of Paris that he loved so much. With its cobbles on the ground, the pretty church of Saint-Gervais and tables still outside under heaters, it was an oasis of winter calm amid the bright lights and bustle of the city. A small touch of Christmas had arrived in the shape of coloured fairy lights adorning the frontage of eateries and apartment balconies. Ivy cascaded down buildings in places – some still green, other leaves red, for the most part dark – and all-weather alpines stood stoic in planters and pots, some decorated with tinsel.
‘Would you like to sit inside or outside?’ Ethan asked, stopping in front of a bright blue, painted bistro he hadn’t been to in quite some time. He was still a little apprehensive about being here now. There was an underlining fear running through him that all the good times he had shared with Ferne at this place might jump out and become the sharpest reminders of her absence rather than sweet treasured memories. But here he was, holding his nerve.
‘Outside,’ Keeley replied.
He watched her pull her coat a little tighter, shrugging herself down into it. Even under the warmth of a heater it was going to be cold outside and she looked freezing already. ‘You are certain?’
Her lips trembled and she let out a laugh then. ‘No.’
He laughed too. ‘Come. It is nice inside also. Warm. We can find a table by the window.’ He pushed open the door and led the way wondering what she was going to think about the interior. The salon de thé was anything but contemporary. It was basic and bohemian and definitely not the Paris offered in holiday packages.
‘Oh,’ she remarked as they stepped inside, feet hitting the tiles.
Even her breath sounded excited and that did something to Ethan. The few women he had lost himself in