When she arrived at the woman’s house, Nora knocked once and waited. Yvette answered after a few minutes, saying “Please feel free always to come in after you knock. The bell lets us know you are inside.”
She ushered Nora into the parlor, commenting the cloud cover made it too cool for Marie-Louise to sit outside today.
Marie-Louise greeted Nora with a bise and a gracious smile. Atticus waited politely but with a concentrated stare at the elderly woman. Both ladies chuckled.
“You see, ma chérie. He knows a special treat is waiting for him.” She beckoned him to her for a scratch on the head and gave him a large bone-shaped biscuit. He lay down on a mat by the door and began to work on it.
“That will keep him busy for a while. I’m so happy to see you. Please, tell me how you are and how you have been spending your time. Are you happy in Giselle’s apartment?”
Nora filled her in, and Marie-Louise continued to ask engaging questions as Nora relayed the events of the previous days.
“When Giselle told me you are a writer, it gave me much pleasure. I spent a number of years in England after the war writing documents for the government. Very different from your chosen craft, but satisfying at that time.”
“I can imagine it was extremely important to be involved in such work then. Living in England explains why you speak the language so well,” Nora said, complimenting her host.
“That and an English lover,” came the response as Marie-Louise’s eyes sparkled. “It really is the best way to learn. If you wish to be fluent in French, I highly recommend it.”
Nora smiled. “It’s not on my agenda. But I hear you.”
“Agendas should always be flexible,” Marie-Louise teased back.
Nora was intrigued about the affair but didn’t ask any prodding questions. Instead, they spoke of authors they admired and their favorite books.
“The library was my safe place, my comfortable place for most of my life,” Marie-Louise told her. “Of course, during the Occupation they were under strict control by the Germans and there was much censorship. But even so, the spirit of resistance lived in the libraries.”
She paused and Nora noticed a faraway look in her eyes before she continued. “I will have to tell you about that when we begin our work together.”
Nora felt a wave of encouragement knowing that Marie-Louise was committed to telling her story.
They chatted easily, and Marie-Louise asked Nora about her writing history and what inspired her to help others with their memoirs. She was also interested in the novels Nora described writing.
“I still enjoy a good romance from time to time. Particularly these days, with so much disorder in the world. There is such satisfaction in getting lost in a good, uplifting story.”
Yvette knocked at the open door and Marie-Louise beckoned her in. She held a tray with an enticing warm cherry clafoutis and two plates, along with a fresh pot of tea.
“Just in time, ma belle. I was beginning to feel it was time for a treat.”
Nora and Marie-Louise became engaged in a discussion about baking as they enjoyed the warm cake. When they finished eating, Nora saw that her host looked a little tired, so she and Atticus said their goodbyes.
“Promise to come again soon. I so enjoyed our conversation. Shall we say next Monday?” Marie-Louise said after they bised.
“With pleasure.”
As she strolled home, Nora wondered if she would have to broach the subject of Marie-Louise’s life during the Occupation or whether it would be brought up organically. She hoped the latter. There had been several hints Marie-Louise desired this too.
* * *
In the early evening, as Nora, Oli, and Chloe sipped apéritifs in Nora’s new surroundings, Chloe chuckled as Nora repeated Marie-Louise’s advice about taking a French lover.
Sitting next to Nora on the sofa, Chloe slipped her arm around her mother’s shoulders and pulled her close. “Who knows, Maman. It’s not such a bad idea.”
Nora laughed. “À coup sûr! For sure! I’ll add it to my list of activities while I’m here.”
She gave Chloe a stern look. “At the moment, Atticus provides all the love I need. You were right, he is excellent at cuddling and keeps me company every night. I’m becoming very fond of his sweet nature.”
Chloe shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Time will tell… Give yourself permission to feel the full French Effect.”
Nora gave her a questioning look.
