‘Oui.’ I blow out a breath. ‘I’d love to read more about him, include his works in the hotel library.’
‘“A Season in Hell” is another poem I think you’ll like.’
I make notes in my phone to research more about Arthur Rimbaud and to find his books and biographies about the poet.
‘Now for something lighter? I’ll take you to 12 Rue de l’Odéon, where we’ll find a very small plaque. It’s theoriginalsite of the very first Shakespeare and Co. English bookshop, run by the American-born Sylvia Beach. She sold books and had a lending library that all the literary greats at the time borrowed books from, including Hemingway. Most people think George Whitman’s Shakespeare and Co. on the Left Bank is the original site, but it is not. He named it in ode to Sylvia’s bookshop. And here we have another fascinating life…’
Juliette goes into great detail about Sylvia Beach, who was more than a bookseller; she was a fierce cheerleader and confidante for her literary pals.
‘Here it is.’ Juliette points to an unassuming plaque on the wall that reads in French,In this house Sylvia Beach published Ulysses by James Joyce.
‘It’s lovely she’s recognised like this. I only wish it was more about her than James Joyce, although I suppose without her there would be noUlysses.’
‘Oui, it’s always about James Joyce.’ Juliette laughs. ‘Sylvia bankrolled and published it despite many obstacles of the time, her efforts leaving her in debt. Sylvia moved heaven and earth to help the struggling writer publishUlysses,even though it was banned in many places for “obscenity” and was confiscated at customs in England and America as it was deemed a scandalous novel, when really it’s nothing of the sort. But it was seenthat way at the time. Not too bad for her first venture into publishing.’
‘She was a visionary. And I’ll have to stock biographies about her.’
Juliette smiles. ‘And let’s not forget Sylvia’s dear friend and companion Adrienne Monnier, who had a French bookshop at 7 Rue de l’Odéon.’
We cross the street and find the second plaque for the bookshop La Maison des Amis des Livres, which translates to The House of Friends and Books. Even though these small plaques might seem insignificant to some, I find it special that these two women are recognised and honoured for their work in literature all those years ago.
14
11 NOVEMBER
I clutch my heart and fall back in my chair with a yelp.
Manon rushes over. ‘What is it? Are you sick? I told you not to eat the whole box of macarons. I’m all for eating your feelings, but every single one, Anais?’
‘They’re Pierre Hermé limited edition Christmas-flavoured macarons, only the best you’ll find in all of Paris, and I know, I’ve tried them all. Besides, consuming sugar is an effective coping mechanism, and I won’t be stopping anytime soon. But it’s not the sugar come down. It’s…that.’ I point to the laptop, opened to my email. The renovation quotes have arrived and the first one I opened is eye-wateringly large.
Manon grips the mouse and scrolls down the page and shrieks. ‘Is this a typo? It must be a typo. How can it be so much?’
‘There’s a second page.’
‘Non!’
‘Oui!’
‘He’s a crook, a charlatan. A…! Let’s cross that builder off the list.’
I pinch the bridge of my nose. ‘Let’s read the other quotes. Maybe they’re better.’
She waggles a brow. ‘I’m sure JP’s quote won’t be as steep.’
‘It probably will be after you terrorised him with strewn lingerie and the dead-body-under-the-bath theory.’
‘You’re so naïve.’
I force a smile but have a sneaking suspicion the totals are all going to be similar. There’s a lot of work I didn’t factor in because my knowledge of such things is non-existent. The damp and the mould are the main costs, but we won’t know how extensive the issue is until they investigate.
‘Let me check.’ Manon toggles through the inbox and finds the other quotes. ‘How do these people sleep at night?’
‘Probably remarkably well due to all that manual labour. And really, it’s worth every penny, but what if they find more damage? Where will it end?’
Her lips twist into a grimace. ‘OK, builder two is out. His quote is even higher and they can’t start untilafterChristmas.’
‘And JP?’ Is our plan to partially open for the festive season a pipe dream?
