She smacks her forehead. ‘Oui.He figured it out. So why then wouldheclaim to be Paris Cupid?’
My mind spins. ‘To protect me.’
Outside, Felix arrives and wiggles his hand as if he’s carrying a coffee cup. I hold my champagne glass aloft to let him know Geneviève is a very bad influence and coffee is not on the agenda today. He waves a finger as if telling me off and I laugh.
‘So what will you do? Ask Pascale outright?’
‘I guess. Do you think he’s done the exclusive interview already?’
With a shrug, she says, ‘I doubt it, or they’d have rushed to get that released, to break the news first.’
‘I’d really hate that smarmy reporter to get the exclusive, even if itisall a lie.’
‘Ask Pascale. It seems odd that he’d give that smarmy reporter the exclusive if he wanted to throw him out by his ears.’
‘It’s to save me from being exposed.’
Benoit arrives and gives us a friendly wave, before opening his shop. He pokes his head into Felix’s shop and soon their laughter floats over.
Geneviève takes a seat behind her desk and holds her chin in her hand. ‘That’s the mark of a great man. Pascale doesn’t seem to be the type that would like public scrutiny any more than you do. In fact, he’d like it even less and that’s saying a lot. Makes you wonder why he’d go to such lengths…’
‘You offered to do the same thing.’
‘We’ve been best friends for years, and I love a good scandal, as you well know.’
‘Just say it, Geneviève.’
‘The man loves you. Pure and simple.’
‘But we’ve already ruled him out. The handwriting didn’t match.’
‘Oui,that one bothersome fact.’
Pascale arrives and opens up his shop. Geneviève elbows me so hard I’m sure it’s going to leave a bruise.
‘I can see him, Geneviève, there is no need to physically assault me.’
He doesn’t wave. Doesn’t even look in our direction. Have we got it so wrong? If it was him wouldn’t he be even the slightest bit curious to glance over and see how I am?
‘Go, go ask him!’
‘I’ll go later.’
‘It’salwayslater with you! And that won’t do! The time is now, Lilou, and if you don’t go I’ll march you over there myself.’
‘Ooh,’ I say, glancing to Ephemera. ‘There’s Pierre, the bookseller. Better run.’ It’s unusual for Pierre to visit, he rarely leaves his bookshop by the bank of the Seine during the day but at least he’s saved me from another Geneviève lecture while I process what to do. What tothinkabout Pascale.
‘OK,’ Geneviève says. ‘Come back when Pierre leaves.’
‘Oui.’ I kiss her cheek and go to Ephemera. ‘Bonjour,Pierre. To what do I owe this honour?’
‘I know.’
‘You know what?’
‘Everything. And I want to thank you. Coraline is going to be a great friend, something I desperately needed.’
How does he know I’m Cupid? Does that mean everyone knows?
