Then she looked upward, and Giselle leaned down to kiss each cheek.
“Bonjour ma puce.” Nora had not expected Marie-Louise to greet her niece in a such a strong voice, which was also filled with deep affection.
The tiny woman extended her hand to Nora, saying, “Enchantée, Madame Bennett. I have heard so much about you.”
As Nora offered her hand, the woman gently pulled her close and gave Nora a bise. “We must not waste time with the North American handshake, ma belle. We are meant to be good friends, Giselle has assured me of that. I am delighted you are here.”
Nora was shocked to hear her speak in almost perfect English. Giselle flashed her a grin.
“Then please call me Nora. Enchantée, madame. It is such a pleasure to meet you.”
“Eh bien. If you are Nora, I am Marie-Louise.”
Yvette placed two wrought-iron chairs with soft cushions next to a small table in front of Marie-Louise. “I have prepared tea. Are you all comfortable out here? Is it warm enough?”
Giselle looked at Nora, who nodded it was fine for her. “Yes, it’s quite lovely here. So protected and the sun is strong. Ma tante, are you fine to remain here?” Giselle asked.
Marie-Louise smiled and said in clear English spoken with a most elegant accent, “Absolument. I have not even turned on my blanket today. The day is so beautiful.” She raised a hand and gestured to the heater. “And Bernard is doing his job well, keeping me warm.”
Nora chuckled as Giselle explained. “Tante likes to treat objects such as the heater as though they are handsome Frenchmen catering to her, as they should. Hence the name.”
“A fine idea,” Nora agreed.
Yvette appeared with a pot of tea, a plate of petite patisserie, and small china plates.
“Merci,” Giselle said. “I will pour, and you can take some time off if you like, Yvette. It’s a lovely day for a walk and we will probably be here for an hour.”
“Bon idée. Merci beaucoup,” Yvette said, and asked Marie-Louise if she would like anything else before she left.
“Oui, s’il tu plaît. Please put Nora’s contact information in your phone, if Nora does not mind.”
Nora nodded her assent, and Marie-Louise slid her phone across the table to Yvette.
“Giselle added your information to mine already,” said Marie-Louise, “and now we can both keep in touch with you. Nora, do you mind if I text you? This is as techy … as they say … as I get. But I do know how to do it, and I quite like it.”
“With pleasure,” Nora said, hiding her smile. “It really is such a convenient way to keep in touch.”
When Yvette was gone, Giselle apologized to her aunt. “I should have given Nora’s number to Yvette. Good for you for thinking of it.”
She told Nora that Yvette had been her aunt’s caregiver for two years and was like a member of the family.
Marie-Louise added how fortunate they were to have found her and what good company she was. “She doesn’t hover and lets me have plenty of time to myself. But I know she is nearby if I need her. I still try to do so much myself, but some days are better than others. Let me assure you, getting old is not for sissies!”
Giselle refreshed their tea, and an hour passed quickly. Nora paid attention as Giselle gently probed her aunt and encouraged her to talk about her life during the Occupation.
“Ma tante, you have kept so many details of your story inside your heart for a lifetime. Now I hope you will consider sharing everything with Nora and perhaps allow her to put it in writing for you. For all of us. No pressure, but now you have a unique opportunity to spend time with someone who truly can be of assistance.”
Marie-Louise looked into Nora’s eyes with a gaze as clear as a young girl’s. Nora could almost feel the woman’s experiences that were meant to be shared.
“Nora, I’m certain you have discovered our Giselle is a special woman with a unique ability to make things happen … in all the best ways. It is a delight to know we will spend time together while you are here. Let’s talk and see where it leads.”
Nora leaned over and covered Marie-Louise’s hand with hers. “The most important aspect of us talking together is trust. When we have that, then your words will flow and together we will create the story you wish to tell. Or not. I look forward to whatever happens. I’m happy to be here.”
ChapterTen
Six weeks with Atticus begins.
Nora sat with Giselle as she closed her suitcases after having taken Atticus for a short afternoon walk. “I wanted that little memory on the plane with me. It will be a long time before I can do it again.”
