27
When I lock up late, all my neighbours have shuttered their shops. Geneviève didn’t turn up today so I send her a text:
Want to meet tonight? Catch up on some Paris Cupid work?
I have to tell her about the exchange I had with Coraline.
When I get to my apartment, I kick off my shoes and call out for Minou. The apartment is in reasonable shape; there’s some shredded paper on the parquetry and the corpse of a banana by the fridge. When there’s no answer to me calling his name, I add some biscuits to his bowl. The tabby cat then launches onto my shoulder and frightens the life out of me. Why can’t he just say hello the normal way? Maybe I’ll get used to these jump scares eventually.
I give his fur a pat as he balances on my left shoulder as if he’s a bird. ‘Did you have a good day?’ There’s a note from the cat sitter telling me she’s administered his medications and that he spent most of the day sleeping in her lap.
Minou jumps to the ground for his dinner, so I leave him to it and go and investigate the bedroom. Sure enough, he’s had a fight with the pillow and the pillow has come off worse.
The vet is scheduled for tomorrow morning so I’ll ask what might be causing such behaviours. Is it boredom? Maybe Minou needs a feline friend? Would two cats create even more mess and angst? Whatever the solution is, I’m willing to give it a shot. Coming home to him is a joy despite him having a burning hatred for décor. I clean up the mess of pillow before administering Minou’s meds when there’s a knock on the door.
‘Now, pretend you’re a well-behaved cat, Minou.’
He lets out a long meow and licks his paw and appears angelic as anything. It’s such a lie.
‘Geneviève! I was just about to pour a wine. Would you like one?’
‘What a silly question!’
‘I take it that’s a yes.’
She passes me her light coat and handbag as if I’m some sort of concierge. I would usually put them on the coat rack, but I’m one step ahead of Minou this time and go through to my bedroom and place them out of harm’s way in my cupboard.
When I reappear, Geneviève’s sitting at the dining table, bottle of wine opened and two glasses poured. She takes a long sip and smacks her lips together.
‘I needed that,’ she says. ‘Now to business. I’ve had a number of texts asking if you’re Cupid.’
‘I know. Pascale told me that there are rumoursyou’reParis Cupid because you were encouraging people to join.’
Geneviève gives me a wide smile. ‘I love being the centre of gossip.’
‘I don’t. But they can’t prove anything, can they?’
‘Not unless we make a misstep.’
Geneviève goes to the kitchen to retrieve the wine bottle and returns to fill our glasses. ‘Do we care if the truth comes out? I know you’re worried about your dating history coming to light but, in the grand scheme of things, does that really matter any more?’ She softens her words with a warm smile, but just the thought of the truth coming out is enough to make my toes curl.
‘I’d hate it Geneviève, I really would. The married man saga will be dredged up again. And Coraline has joined some amateur sleuth group who want to find the identity of Cupid because they feel everything should be transparent.’
‘Coraline said all ofthat, after what we’ve done for her, what Paris Cupid has done for her?’ Geneviève says, aghast. ‘That’s really upsetting, Lilou. She was the one I was most excited would have a beautiful romance and a sort of… transformation. Are you telling me she’s just the same as she always was?’
I nod. ‘It’s disappointing to see she hasn’t changed. I guess she doesn’t know it’s us behind Paris Cupid, but she’s suspicious because of the links I have with love letters and Benoit, Felix and Pascale with their businesses.’
‘All that aside, shedoesknow Paris Cupid helped her when she most needed it.’
‘We should have known better.Ishould have known better when it comes to Coraline.’
‘If they get close to the truth, why don’t I say I’m Cupid?’
‘But… what if they bring up your past? Won’t that bother you?’
She scoffs. ‘Hardly! I wouldn’t care a jot. I’ve loved and lost and I’ve picked myself up and tried again. Nothing to be ashamed of. But full transparency – if they want to be sensational about it, there’s plenty to work with. Just like everyone, I’ve made plenty of mistakes with men. But that’s just the thing, Lilou. We live and learn! And that’s what I want you to take from this,ma Cherie. They can sky write my datingdisasters for all I care. They can splash each sorry past affair of mine online and make an example out of me. I’ll celebrate! I’d take that risk time and again because love is always worth it. Even if it’s not always easy to find.’
Minou takes that moment to jump on the table and swat at my glass, but my cat mummy senses must be improving because I catch it before it falls. ‘Hah!’ I turn to Minou. ‘Too slow this time!’
