Geneviève nods so fast I’m sure her head is going to come clean off. ‘Aha. It’s rife around Paris, allegedly. If you wouldn’t mind keeping this between us for now, we’d appreciate it.’
‘O… K.’ Pascale’s posture softens as if he can’t quite believe he nearly launched Jorges from the market over an accusation of smuggling felines. ‘While I’ve got you’ – Geneviève takes a piece of paper from her handbag – ‘would you mind filling in this quick survey for me?’
He takes the proffered paper. ‘A survey about my favourite haunts around Paris? Why?’
‘Why not? We get plenty of tourists in the market, and I thought it would be nice to give them a guide to our beautiful city. Just fill it in at your leisure and have it back to me by no later than’ – she glances at her watch – ‘lunchtime.’
He frowns, as if trying to work out what’s really going on but comes up blank.
‘I’ve filled in mine,’ I say as if in solidarity. ‘We’re lucky to live in Paris, are we not?’
‘Ah –oui.’ Confusion is evident across his features. Geneviève has managed to waylay his suspicions about reporter Jorges with the supposed cat smuggling ring. At least that’s something. For now. ‘Lunchtime. Got it.’ He gives me one lingering look before he turns and heads back to his stall.
I exhale a pent-up breath. ‘Geneviève, what the hell?’
She dons the wide-eyed Bambi look. ‘What?’
‘Acat smuggling ring?’
With a loose shrug she says, ‘You were about to admit to him you’re Cupid. I could see it written all over your face. And while I adore Pascale, I think it’s best if we make a solid plan before you go blurting it out to all and sundry.’
‘Oui, you’re right. It’s just he was so… nice. So comforting. I briefly lost my mind.’
Her eyes light up which can only mean one thing. I stop her before she can voice it.
‘No, Geneviève, it doesn’t mean anything. That horrid journalist caught me unawares is all, and then Pascale playing the superhero only added to my confusion.’
‘Oui, oui. I wasn’t about to suggest anything. Except…’ She toys with a strand of her hair. ‘Who doesn’t like a man who defends a woman’s honour in such a way? Call me old fashioned but men like that don’t really exist these days, do they?’
I scoff. ‘Shouldn’t we be more concerned that Jorges only left me alone when Pascale came to my rescue? When I asked him to leave, he blithely ignored me. That’s the bigger issue here.’
‘Of course, you’re right, you’re right. But…’ She gazes wistfully across the hallway to Pascale’s typewriter stall. ‘Isn’t it remarkable that Pascale was on your side without knowing a thing about what the conflict between you and Jorges was? It means no matter what, he’s there for you.’
Does it though? Or is it just some macho thing? A flex. A show of dominance? ‘Hmm.’
‘Oh, you and your hmms,’ Geneviève says. ‘I’m going to give Benoit his survey.’
‘But shouldn’t we discuss Paris Cupid first?’
‘Oui, I’ll be right back for that.’
‘Don’t you think this is more important right now? What if Jorges comes back?’
‘Call out for Pascale! Although, by the looks of it, he’s already standing sentry.’
Instead of sitting bashing at his typewriter temperamentally the way he usually does, he is leaning against the door of his stall, shooting daggers to all who cross his path. Really, if the man continues like this he’ll be out of business by the end of summer.
‘OK, Geneviève. Hand out the survey to Benoit and then we’ll convene a Paris Cupid meeting.’
‘Done.’ She flounces off in Benoit’s direction as I spot Guillaume coming up the stairs. He makes his way to me, a box in hand.
‘Bonjour, Lilou.’ We exchangela bise. ‘I’ve just got back from Rouen and have some stock for you to look at.’
‘Why aren’t we meeting at Montmartre cemetery?’ I love our meetings there in the sunshine surrounded by cats and ghosts.
‘I’m pressed for time, so I figured I’d just pop in. I’m trying to get everything done as quickly as possible so I can pick up the cats this evening. I hope that’s amenable to you?’
I search his features. His complexion is pink, his eyes darting around as if his mind is elsewhere. ‘Oui.’ What else can I say? I don’t want to discourage him while he has stock on hand, but I really want to discuss the Paris Cupid disaster with Geneviève. ‘We can chat now, Guillaume, but I don’t have much time.’
