I smile. Has the old Coraline returned so quickly? ‘Hmm.’ I pretend to consider it. ‘New beginnings are exactly what I’mafter. Leaving the past behind and moving on is what I’m aiming for.’
‘Let me wrap them for you.’ Coraline hasn’t wrapped my flowers in years. It’s sweet to see her take pride in her work once more.
‘Merci.There’s something different about you today? Your cheeks are aflame, your eyes are shining; if I didn’t know better I’d say you’re in love.’
She lets out a girlish giggle. Love really is the tonic. It’s as though Coraline has been transformed. Even her hair is shiny and sleek. It’s such a marked change, seeing the smile reach her eyes and every part of her radiating. ‘I got matched on Paris Cupid.’
‘Ooh! Right, I almost forgot about that. I take it that it’s going rather well.’
She nods as she hands me the beautifully wrapped bouquet of bright yellow daffodils. ‘It’s been lifechanging. I know that sounds dramatic considering we haven’t met in person yet, but I’m taking it slow this time.’
‘And your match, what makes him so great?’
‘He’s a bookseller and he writes the most romantic prose. Like me, he’s been lonely but unsure of where to look for love. I don’t know where this will lead, so I’m enjoying it for what it is – a pen pal relationship that has the potential to become more. If it doesn’t develop into love, we’ve promised each other to remain friends and catch up eventually anyway.’
I love this for Coraline. It appears she’s figured out that rushing into relationships, and having a sort of saviour complex with men who were poised to take advantage, was not the best way forward even though she did nothing wrong and her intentions were pure. How many other Parisians make just the same mistakes when it comes to love? We all want to believe in the person beside us in bed.
‘I really hope it works out for you both.’
‘It will. Because even if I don’t find love, I know I’ve found a friend and that’s enough for me.’
It’s hard to know which way the wind will blow, but I send up a prayer to the love gods and will it to be so. ‘I’m glad you tried Paris Cupid. It seems like everyone is talking about it these days.’ I really shouldn’t pry but Coraline is the go-to for gossip so she’ll know if there’s anything new in the rumour mill.
‘Thank you for suggesting it. Without you, I wouldn’t have taken that leap. Are you sureyou’renot Paris Cupid? You do have a penchant for love letters!’ She laughs at her own joke while I use every effort to keep myself from fainting at her feet.
‘Ha! It’s not me.’
‘Well, I didn’t think so. Not with your disaster of a dating life. Didn’t you date a cryptomancer once?’
As always I come so far with Coraline and then jump two steps back. ‘We didn’t exactly get to the dating stage; we were chatting for a bit and then he tried to get me to invest in crypto. Men, eh?’ More fool me for sharing these titbits with Coraline.
‘And then there was that married guy…’
I reel back as if slapped. ‘That wasn’t my fault.’
‘Still. It doesn’t look good, does it? Everyone always says they don’t know, when they actually do.’
I cock my head. ‘Why are you bringing all of this up?’
‘I want to solve the Paris Cupid mystery! I’m intrigued. I joined an online sleuth group and their main focus is finding Cupid. There hasn’t been gossip this juicy for an age. The current theory is it’s someone from Saint-Ouen Flea Market. Your name was mentioned because of the love letter link.’
It takes a lot to remain calm. ‘My name? How ridiculous. Why do they think it’s linked to the market?’
She gives me a lazy shrug. ‘Lately there’ve been a lot of matches with market vendors. Almost as if someone around here is orchestrating it.’
Geneviève and Ihavefocused on those we knew from around here because we knew bits and pieces about their dating histories and felt they deserved a happy ever after.
‘I can’t believe there’s another group digging into it. Don’t you feel bad considering how Paris Cupid has helped you?’
Coraline squares her jaw. ‘Why should I?’
Seriously!‘If the people who run Paris Cupid wish to remain anonymous why would you not respect that after what they’ve done for you? You’ve just spent ten minutes telling me how much you’re enjoying a burgeoning new friendship with P…’ I stop short, his name dying on my tongue. Did she pick it up? I scramble to cover my folly. ‘…with a Parisian bookseller, and now you’re ready to throw that back in their face. It’s not nice, Coraline.’
She narrows her eyes. Why am I even having this conversation? The longer I talk to her the more likely I’m going to speak out of turn and then the jig will really be up.
‘Our sleuth group doesn’t agree with all the secrecy. Transparency is good business practice. We have every right to know about the face behind the site. After all, members have shared personal information with Paris Cupid and I for one would rather know thatmyprivacy is going to be guaranteed.’
All of the confidentiality guarantees are written into the terms and conditions that each member signs, but I can’t exactly bring that up without exposing myself. ‘That’s hypocritical! You’ll expose their anonymity to make sure yours is safe?’
