One Christmas in Paris

by Mandy Baggot

  ‘Your boyfriend,’ Ava repeated as Francine moved past, eyes glued forward. Her hand was on the restaurant door. ‘Are you going to share some vin rouge and plan your first Christmas together? If it is your first Christmas together? I mean we don’t really know how long this has been going on.’

  But Francine had already gone through the door.

  ‘You make me sick!’ Ava shouted. ‘I hope you... choke on the bread basket.’

  ‘Ava,’ Julien said, pulling her back.

  Ava shook his arm off and pressed her nose up against the glass of the eatery. She watched, stomach dropping piece by piece, as Gary stood up, embracing Francine.

  ‘Ava,’ Julien said, softly. ‘What do you want to do now?’

  ‘Now,’ Ava began, ‘now we call Debs.’

  51

  Ava was chewing her nails, pacing up and down an alley next to the restaurant and waiting. She’d positioned Julien so he could still see the door to the eatery. Around her, city life was going on as usual. Pedestrians trampled snow, mopeds beeped horns, Christmas lights flashed from every building and her stomach was performing a winter Olympics triple Lutz. No one else here had their best friend’s feelings on a knife-edge. She was feeling hopeless – desperate to protect her and knowing she couldn’t.

  ‘It’s the Parisian traffic,’ she muttered, vaguely directing the moan at Julien. ‘The bloody Parisian traffic.’ She about-faced and marched towards the bins again. ‘We can’t let them leave if they try to leave.’

  ‘It is Didier,’ Julien announced. ‘With Debs. They are here.’

  Ava shot to the alley entrance and her eyes went to the moped careering down the street towards them. No helmets on their heads, the Frenchman drew the moped to a stop and Debs was clambering off, her face a weird mix of pale and intense, eyes like Frisbees.

  Ava took a breath then stepped towards her friend, throwing her arms around her and holding her close, tears smarting in her eyes. ‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered. ‘I don’t want this to be true. I don’t want you to get hurt again.’

  ‘It’s OK,’ Debs answered, in perhaps the shortest sentence she’d ever uttered.

  ‘It’s not OK though. It’s so far from OK. I want to punch her. And I want to punch him and...’ Ava said, stepping back and wiping her nose with the sleeve of her coat.

  ‘I think that’s my job,’ Debs stated sadly.

  ‘Can I just say that we do not know if anything has happened?’ Didier said.

  ‘No,’ Ava and Debs said together.

  ‘But your step-father may be entirely innocent,’ he continued.

  ‘He’s here in Paris, Didier,’ Debs said. ‘Meeting a woman who isn’t my mum, when he’s meant to be working in Toulouse.’

  ‘And there might be another explanation for this,’ Julien joined in.

  ‘Like there was another explanation for Leo and Cassandra?’ Ava asked, looking to him. ‘Or for Lauren and Charles?’

  ‘They’re in there?’ Debs checked, glancing towards the window of the restaurant.

  ‘Yes,’ Ava answered.

  Debs looked to her, swallowing. ‘Would you... come in with me?’

  ‘You’re sure?’ Ava asked. ‘Because if Gary starts giving you grief or that woman says anything then I won’t be responsible for my actions.’

  ‘We could all go in,’ Didier suggested. ‘Julien and I could have coffee.’

  ‘No,’ Ava and Debs answered together.

  ‘We would sit at a safe distance,’ Didier said. ‘For support... to stop the owner calling the gendarmerie if things get a little – how do you say? – heated.’

  Ava was about to open her mouth to protest again when the little bell above the door signalled its opening and there, right in front of them, coming out of the restaurant and on to the street was Gary and Francine.

  ‘Ava?’ Gary exclaimed in shock. His head turned left. ‘Debs?! What are you both doing here?’

  ‘You bastard! You absolute bastard! How could you?! How could you?!’ Debs flung herself at Gary, thumping his chest with her fists like he was King Kong threatening to crush her offspring.

  ‘Debs,’ Didier said, stepping forward and taking hold of her shoulders.

  ‘Get off me!’ Debs ordered, trying to push him off.

  ‘Who are these people, Gary?’ Francine asked. ‘A delivery girl and—’

  ‘Don’t you speak!’ Ava ordered. ‘Don’t you dare speak! We... are his family!’

  ‘Perhaps we should all take a moment... go back inside... sit down?’ Julien suggested.

  ‘Debs, what’s the matter, love? What’s going on?’ Gary asked, trying to avoid another thump and finally catching hold of Debs’ arms.

  ‘Yes!’ Debs exclaimed. ‘That’s exactly what I want to know! What the fuck is going on? With her!’

  ‘Francine?’ Gary queried, looking confused.

  ‘I think we should call her the bitch,’ Debs suggested viciously. ‘Or maybe the homewrecker... the marriage-breaker... the divorce-maker.’

  ‘Pardon?’ Francine gasped.

  ‘I said don’t you speak!’ Ava yelled, pointing an accusing finger. ‘I heard you talking about Gary in a boutique and I had convinced myself I’d misheard... and then I saw an email from him on your computer. It said “Francine, the other night was amazing”.’

  ‘You did?’ Debs asked, dropping her arms from Gary’s grip like she had just been sapped of all energy. ‘It said that.’

  ‘I... couldn’t tell you...I didn’t want to tell you,’ Ava admitted. ‘I wanted to believe that it wasn’t true and now...’

  ‘I don’t know what you girls think is going on but—’

  ‘We know what’s going on,’ Debs attacked again. ‘You’re having an affair with this... with her... because you’re not meant to be in Paris... Mum thinks you’re working... in Toulouse!’

  ‘An affair?’ Francine exclaimed.

  ‘Now, hang on a minute—’ Gary started.

  ‘Don’t speak to her like that,’ Ava ordered, taking a step towards him.

  ‘Ava,’ Julien said.

  ‘Let the man speak?’ Didier suggested.

  ‘You’re just like Dad... you said you loved Mum and me and... now Mum isn’t good enough and I’m not good enough,’ Debs continued. ‘And all those things you said, all those promises you made about family and sticking together—’

  ‘Debs, I’m not having an affair,’ Gary said.

  ‘...and my job is totes shit and I’ve had to spend a whole twenty-four hours writing until my fingers burn to try and get a gig Trudy will probably have land in her lap and... What did you say?’ Debs asked.

  ‘I said I’m not having an affair,’ Gary repeated.

  ‘This is all... la erreur?’ Francine offered.

  ‘A mistake,’ Didier translated. ‘A misunderstanding.’

  ‘But it can’t be,’ Ava stated as Julien slipped his hand in hers. ‘I saw the email. I heard you talking about him in the dress shop.’

  ‘Mum said you’d been secretive... that you were Skyping... travelling even more.’

  Gary put his hands to his head, shaking it. ‘It doesn’t look like I’ve been quite as discreet as I’d hoped.’

  Everyone was now waiting with bated breath for someone to provide all the missing pieces.

  ‘Debs, Francine has been helping me with a surprise... for your mum.’

  ‘A surprise,’ Debs stated, lips trembling.

  ‘Yes,’ Gary said. ‘She loves Paris. She told me that on our very first date together all those moons ago. I wanted to organise a special weekend for her big birthday next month. And I wanted to splash out a bit, treat her.’

  Ava felt sick and she gripped hold of Julien’s hand, her eyes going to her best friend.

  ‘What?’ Debs said, tears already falling.

  ‘Francine works for the Paris office of Cosmos. We met at the conference last year. She’s been helping me put together a whole weekend of things for me and your mum to do wh
en we’re here... and I wanted to get her a dress... an expensive dress from a French boutique.’

  ‘I am about your mother’s size, non?’ Francine said tentatively.

  Ava opened her mouth to tell the woman not to talk again but quickly shut it. It was true. Now she thought about it, Francine was the same shape and height as Sue.

  ‘As I was in Toulouse already, I nipped over here on the way back to London to pick up the dress.’ Gary picked up the boutique bag that was by his feet. ‘And Francine needed my signature on a couple of things. And the other night... the other night was amazing because Francine told me about this great show in Toulouse to take my clients to.’

  ‘Oh God,’ Ava exclaimed. ‘Oh, God, Gary, we’re so sorry!’

  Debs was just crying, her face becoming a red crumpled mess as she began to heavy breathe.

  ‘Debs, come here, love, don’t cry,’ Gary said, opening his arms and pulling her into an embrace. ‘You’re my girl,’ he whispered. ‘I love you, you know that, and I love your mum more than anything. I’d never do anything to hurt either of you.’

  ‘And I am not a... divorce-maker?’ Francine said, looking to Ava. ‘I have a boyfriend called Luc.’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Ava said to Francine. ‘I’m very sorry for everything... particularly the grow-your-own-rainbow kit.’

  ‘All right, love?’ Gary asked, easing Debs back from his shoulder and looking at her with concern. ‘You know if there’s anything you’re ever worried about you just need to talk to me.’

  Ava felt Julien squeeze her fingers at that comment and she didn’t dare look at him for fear of looking into a knowing, slightly told-you-so expression.

  Debs nodded. ‘I was just... scared that’s all and worried for Mum and...’

  ‘It was my fault really,’ Ava said. ‘I had this crazy idea of just, you know, trying to hack emails and following Francine around Paris... it was me who lost faith, Taxi Dad, not Debs.’

  Debs shook her head. ‘Don’t listen to her. She’s just covering for me.’

  Gary smiled at Ava. ‘Being her best mate like always.’ He turned back to Debs then. ‘Listen, you’ve got to promise me you’ll keep this quiet from your mum, it’s been months in the planning and I want it to be complete surprise.’

  Debs nodded, smiling. ‘Of course I will.’

  ‘So, now, apologise to Francine and then tell me what you’re doing in Paris and why your job is totes shit. I think Taxi Dad needs to hear about that.’

  52

  Hotel Agincourt

  Despite everything that had happened that day, even after coffee and macaroons with Debs, Gary, Julien and Didier in a warm and gorgeous little café, the high emotions, sugar and caffeine weren’t enough to distract Ava from being nervous about what was to come. Dinner with Julien’s parents.

  ‘He’s had my email an hour and three minutes now,’ Debs said, hitting the refresh button on her laptop again.

  They had both talked to Sue before Debs had hit ‘send’ on her articles and eased her anxieties about Gary. Using a ‘top secret insurance project’ they had together explained Gary’s behaviour and all the incidentals along the way and Gary had been briefed to go along with that until the big reveal for Sue’s birthday. Now the full focus was on Debs’ potential job.

  ‘I know he has,’ Ava replied. ‘But, in the scheme of things, with your mum and Gary being solid and off for a saucy weekend in Paris soon, this job... well, it isn’t everything any more. You’re good at what you do, Debs, great at what you do. And if this Nigel can’t see that then he isn’t worthy of you.’ She looked at herself in the mirror. Usually right now she would be asking herself if she should wear her hair up or down. There wasn’t a lot you could do to change platinum spikes.

  ‘I need to know tonight,’ Debs moaned. ‘Before seven or I will be on tenterhooks at the circus and won’t be able to enjoy it.’

  Ava turned her head from looking into the full-length mirror on the wardrobe door. ‘The circus?’

  ‘Didier’s taking me. He texted. It’s one of those upmarket circuses with lots of people who can turn their bodies inside out and do magic with chainsaws. No animals... well, apart from a poodle who can breakdance,’ Debs informed.

  ‘Wow, could you video that?’ Ava asked.

  ‘Anyway,’ Debs announced, one eye on the computer screen, ‘I know I’ve been completely caught up in these articles and the whole Francine and Gary thing...’ She patted the edge of the bed next to her. ‘What’s been going on with you?’

  ‘You mean apart from my mother turning up?’

  Rhoda was having a spa treatment in the facilities at the hotel followed by a specially prepared room-service meal. Her mum had been complaining the brioche had tampered with her fine digestive balance since she had finished eating it and Ava hadn’t dared suggest perhaps it was a reaction to good food rather than chemically enhanced stuff.

  ‘How did that go?’ Debs asked.

  ‘Surprisingly well,’ Ava answered. ‘I can honestly say I won’t be modelling again and I won’t be hearing from Leo either.’

  ‘Goodness, I missed a lot while I was going blind writing about singles and penguin earmuffs.’

  Ava let out a sigh. It was no good. She was pent up about this dinner and she needed Debs’ advice. She pulled at the sheer cream top she was wearing over leggings and finally sat down.

  ‘I’m meeting Julien’s parents tonight,’ Ava rushed out. ‘His dad and his step-mum and... I’ve never met a dad and a step-mum before... only my own.’

  Debs clapped a hand over her mouth, almost knocking out one of the flashing Santa’s sleigh earrings she was wearing. ‘You’re not just friends, are you?! Something’s happened, hasn’t it? Was it the cruise up the Seine? I thought there was rather too much about the chocolate pudding and totes not enough feels.’ Debs sighed. ‘I made some feels up by the way... for the article.’

  Ava shook her head, a smile on her face. ‘I can’t describe it, Debs. I’ve not had anything quite like it before.’

  ‘Makes you feel weak? Want to look into his eyes every second you’re together? Practically need to slather him in mincemeat and lick it all off?’ Debs asked excitedly.

  Ava swallowed. ‘Actually nothing like any of that.’

  ‘Oh.’

  ‘But in a good way,’ Ava added. ‘When I’m with him it’s as if... I’m wholly me and... he’s wholly him but somehow we’re together too.’

  ‘No,’ Debs said. ‘I’ve never had anything like that before.’

  ‘And he makes me feel...’ She sighed. ‘As if I could do absolutely anything.’

  ‘Goodness, Ava, that sounds very much like... love.’

  Ava shook her head. ‘It can’t be though, can it? Because it takes a long time to love someone and you have to have a first argument—’ She stopped herself from talking, remembering their misunderstanding about Lauren and the burning wish list on the boat. ‘Well, you at least have to... enjoy the same foods.’ The taste of falafel was in her mouth before she could force it away.

  ‘And cover each other in mincemeat,’ Debs added.

  ‘I really don’t think that’s a thing.’

  ‘Didier understood,’ Debs answered.

  Ava stood up. ‘Don’t say any more or I’ll be looking for dried fruit in my sheets.’ She brushed down the front of her shirt again and turned her body to the side to check out her profile. ‘Does this look OK? And can I borrow your boots again?’

  Debs got up from the bed and stood behind her friend, hugging her close. Ava regarded their joint reflections in the mirror. Debs with her Disney Princesses sweatshirt and multi-coloured Yule log necklace, her with butterflies in her stomach.

  ‘You look amazing,’ Debs stated.

  ‘But what if they think their son must have lost his mind to be spending time with me?’

  ‘Then it will be the very last time you spend with them,’ Debs said. ‘And he will feel the same.’

  She hoped so.
She really wanted to make a good impression. She also knew how important the exhibition and Julien’s parents’ role in it was to him. He had told her that afternoon that he wanted them and other families who had lost someone in the fire to play a part in the night.

  And then the laptop made a bing. Ava looked to Debs, her heart in her mouth. ‘What does that noise mean?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ Debs admitted. ‘I’ve never noticed it do that before when I’ve got new mail.’ She fled over to the desk.

  ‘Debs...’

  ‘Nigel’s replied,’ Debs gasped, her hand working overtime on the mouse.

  ‘God, what did he say? It’s all good, right?’

  Debs was silent, her eyes scanning the screen, her head moving left to right.

  ‘Debs! Say something! Even if it’s bad news, just tell me. It’s not everything, remember. Sue and Gary. Together forever.’

  Debs turned to face her, eyes downcast, bottom lip trembling.

  ‘Oh shit,’ Ava said, stumbling up and off the bed in a bid to cross the room as quickly as possible. ‘I’ll stay in. I’ll call Julien... I have his number now and I’ll tell him I need to be here with you.’

  ‘No you won’t,’ Debs said stroppily. And all at once her demeanour changed, her smile lighting the room like the night-time display at the Eiffel Tower. ‘Because we’re totes celebrating tonight. Me and the breakdancing poodle and you with Julien,’ she screamed. ‘I got the job!’

  53

  The Fitoussi’s home

  Even though Julien was holding her hand she was shaking both with the cold and her nerves. The sheer blouse was a mistake. She should have asked to borrow one of Debs’ jumpers. And this house they were standing in front of reeked of elegance, towering to the night sky, a blue slate roof somewhere up near the stars.

  ‘How many storeys is it?’ Ava asked through juddering teeth. ‘And are we w-waiting for a butler?’

  ‘You are cold,’ Julien remarked, putting an arm around her shoulders and drawing her into his body.