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They boarded from thePort Solferino, near the Musée d’Orsay. Stepping aboard the La Marina de Paris along with a small group of fellow tourists, Penny noticed Matt, the man they’d met at the Eiffel Tower, hovering at the back of the queue. She was about to point him out to David, but thought better of it after David’s hostile behaviour toward the friendly American the previous day.
The boat had large windows for great views. Davis guided her right to the end of the boat where a waiter directed them to a table with all round panoramic views, side and front. They sat either side of the table facing one another.
“Hey, guys, how’s this for coincidence?”
Penny groaned; it was Matt. She glanced across at David. His face had darkened.
“Well, hello!” she chimed in quickly before David could say something unfriendly.
“Penny... right?”
“Yes! Nice to see you again, Matt!” she trilled insincerely.
“Mind if I join you guys?” He sat down before either of them could reply.
“I do actually. Today is our wedding anniversary,” David told him tersely.
“Congratulations! How long have you two been married?” He addressed the question to Penny who stared blankly at David. She’d never thought to ask him that.
“Four years today,” he replied, looking at her, not Matt.
“Cool!” Matt said as he tugged his backpack off his shoulder.
Penny watched as he rummaged inside, eventually pulling out a water bottle. She glanced across at David. His face looked like thunder.
Matt had uncapped the bottle and was busy chugging water.
Gently she touched Matt’s arm.
“Um, Matt?”
“Yeah?” He paused to speak but then carried on drinking. She swallowed nervously.
“Would you mind awfully moving to another table? I really want to be alone with my husband today,” she cajoled.
“Yeah, buddy, give us some privacy,” David added.
“Oh. Yeah, okay, got it.” Matt capped the bottle and stuffed it back into his rucksack. He stood up and stared at them unsmiling.
Penny shifted, feeling uncomfortable under his direct gaze.
“Enjoy your day!” he said and walked away, choosing a seat further down the boat.
“Weirdo,” David muttered, glowering after him.
She chuckled at his dour face.
“He’s not weird. The poor guy’s lonely, that’s all! He’s moved now, and we have the table all to ourselves again,” she said brightly.
“Yeah, you’re right... Hey, we’re moving!”
The waiter came and took their order for coffee. Penny twisted this way and that as David pointed out all the different sights. There was intermittent commentary given in French, which he translated to her as the boat moved along.
They enjoyed a leisurely three courseà la cartelunchand coffee.
“This really is the most romantic way to see Paris. Thank you,” she told David after the meal and their coffee had been cleared away. He moved around to her side of the table and sat beside her, slipping an arm about her waist. She rested her head on his shoulder and they stayed that way watching Paris slide past until they returned to the mooring.
