‘Quoi?’ When I told Geneviève about what had transpired between Coraline and me and the confidences she’d shared about being used and then dumped, she still wasn’t convinced we should allow her to join Paris Cupid, possibly risking our anonymity. Coraline has burned a number of bridges with her penchant for gossiping, so this about-face is interesting.
‘I know, I know, at our first meeting I was of a different opinion. I had a good long think about what you said about everyone deserving love. And what I came up with is that maybe Coraline is a scandalmonger because she’s lacking in other parts of her life. The woman needs sex, no two ways about it!’
‘Geneviève! It’s always sex with you!’
She waves me away as if I’m a bug. ‘Intimacy is everything, Lilou!’
‘Romance is everything.’
‘And intimacy falls under that heading,non?’
‘Fine. So who do you think is right for someone like Coraline?’ While I feel she needs a strong man, she doesn’t necessarily need a take-charge sort because in the past those types have tended to manipulate her. But conversely, she can’t be with a pushover either because she can be a little domineering too.
‘I spent this morning on the Paris Cupid portal, searching for that elusive guy, the type who is sensitive yet strong, supportive but not controlling. A man whose romance game is on point. After all, to woo a florist you need some skills, especially a florist who knows the language of flowers intimately the wayCoraline does. From reading her dating history a hundred times, I deduced a pattern!’
I bite down on a smile. Geneviève has become enamoured with figuring out the psyche of matches. ‘And…?’
‘Coraline goes for men who take advantage of her kindness.’ Without discussing any of this together, we are both of the same opinion. ‘For example, she wrote that her last beau, the one who really did a number on her, moved into her apartment after they’d been dating mere weeks! I considered that for a bit, wondering why she’d allow that to happen so quickly. When he didn’t need her any more, he vanished, leaving only a note. The boyfriend before that, she employed at her flower stall even though he didn’t know a thing about floristry. She wrote that he needed a helping hand. And on it went. Coraline tried to save these men from whatever problem they faced and in return they broke her heart. What Coraline needs is a man who is self-sufficient and ambitious and successful in his own right. The type who won’t take advantage of her but won’t be bullied by her either.’
‘Wow, Geneviève, you’re a natural at this!’
‘Right? I’ve missed my calling.’
‘And so humble too!’
She laughs. ‘That’s me, the whole package. But wait… there’s more! I found the man for her. But I want your take on it first.’
‘Ooh who is he?’
Geneviève goes behind my desk and logs into the Paris Cupid portal and brings up a photograph of a man. Gone are the days I kept the two worlds separate. I double check no one is watching us before I scoot closer to the screen. ‘Is that Pierre, the bookseller from the Seine?’
‘Oui!His application came in late last night. Can you believe it?’
I double blink. ‘I’m not surprised actually. He’s a word nerd so finding love this way would suit him. But he hates gossiping with apassion, Geneviève.’ I don’t even know much about his private life; we only ever touch on it and move on to the business of books and letters.
‘Exactement!’
‘Well… isn’t that going to be an issue for them? Coraline might draw a line between work and play, but at her core, she does love telling tales.’
‘Because she’slonely!Sad people do silly things because their mood drives those behaviours. I’d bet that Coraline in love is a whole other person.’
I consider it. Coraline certainly used to be a sunnier sort until a broken heart robbed her of that, its dark cloud hovering in her wake. For a long time, her stall was popular with Parisians because of her personal touch, educating customers about the language of flowers with such passion and fervour you couldn’t help but be swept away by the notion of it. I’m still not convinced Pierre is the one for her though. ‘This match… it’s so left field.’ I’m not sure Pierre would have the patience if Coraline’s true colours were on full display. And that doesn’t mean she needs to change; if that’s her default setting, then that’s up to her, but are they a good match?
‘Opposites attract! Trust me, I’ve read a million romance novels with this very coupling.’
From that viewpoint, it does make more sense. Maybe Coraline’s forthrightness will suit Pierre’s more reflective nature? They both enjoy the art of storytelling, Coraline with flowers, Pierre with books. He’s also definitely not the type to take advantage of a woman. He’s softly spoken with just the right amount of French flair and has a stubborn side that I’ve witnessed when customers try to bully him over the price of his books.
‘Actually, Geneviève, the more I consider it, the more I do see the appeal of such a match. Love might just bloom if they form a connection through letter writing, and then eventually decide to meet in person.’ That’s the part we can never really gauge. On paper they might be a wonderful match, but in person, if the chemistry isn’t there, there’s nothing we can do about that. It’s just one of those things.
‘Shall I send them the details then?’
‘Oui. I’ll visit Pierre next week and see if he mentions it.’ He’s notoriously private so I don’t like my chances. I’ve got a lot more chance hearing from Coraline, but I’ll have to be careful and let her lead any talk of Paris Cupid. I’d also like to find out more about the letter found in theMadame Bovarybook.
‘OK, I’ll do that later. What’s that book you’re holding tight against your chest?’
I glance down. ‘Oh, another mysterious arrival that turned up. But have a look.’ I flick through and point out the underlined words.
Geneviève’s eyes widen. ‘A love letter in code! These must be meant for you, Lilou. You can’t keep explaining them away.’
