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Clara reluctantly got out of the Range Rover and had Michael assist her with her luggage. St. Pancras Station was packed with business travelers and tourists walking every which way. Time to check in for the train. Without the extra help, Clara may not have known where to go. The total travel time would be just over three hours.
“Michael, you have been such an amazing person to work with. Thank you for everything.”
“Miss Little, you’ve been a breath of fresh air. If I do say so myself, I hope to see you in the very near future.” Michael tipped his cap to her until he observed Clara make it through security and into the passport control area.
Two bored-looking French police officers waved her through without giving her a second glance. The waiting area of the Eurostar was packed with few seats open. Shrugging, she was glad she didn’t need to wait overly long and sat on her suitcase. Pacific Skyways had finally sent it over a week earlier.
She sent a text to both Amanda and David.
Clara: Checked in and waiting for my train to depart.
Amanda: Excellent! Landed at CDG and will meet you in Paris. Take a taxi to the hotel. Address is in the email details I just sent over.
David: I was expecting a call, but I understand it’s probably crowded. Please send me your itinerary information. I love you. Please don’t think me overzealous, I’m just worried about you.
Clara to Amanda: Thanks! Can’t wait! See you in a few hours.
Clara to David: I forwarded you Amanda’s itinerary. I know you mean well. I love you too. I’ll call you from Gare du Nord, not text. I promise.
One of the Eurostar trains approached. Clara stood after the screens in the waiting area flashed to indicate her train would depart from platform five. Clara had noticed a lot of trains didn’t announce their boarding and departures like in the US. A porter offered to assist Clara with her luggage. She gratefully accepted the help and indicated it needed to be placed in car fifteen, near her seat, five.
The interior of the train was more spacious than she expected. The power outlets on the train allowed for her to watch a movie on her tablet. Three hours later, she was in France! Paris at last! In her head, classic French music played.
“Bienvenue, madame,” a conductor offered as she stepped down from the train. Once more, she was thankful for the extra help with her bags. Clara thanked the conductor and followed the sea of people to the taxi stands. Clara’s camera’s memory card was almost full from taking so many photos during her time in London.
As promised, before leaving the secure area of the station, Clara phoned David to inform him of her arrival.Poor David sounds like a worried stage mother watching his daughter dance for the first time on stage.At least he was alright with receiving texts the rest of the day.
On the trip from Gare du Nord to her hotel not far from the Louvre, her memory card filled up. She made a mental note to buy a new one the next chance she got.
She called Amanda from the lobby of the Hotel Noir Chat. “Amanda! What’s the room number? I’m here!”
“We’re in room seven. Coming down. You will not believe the ammmazing room. We have a view of the Seine and Ile de la Cite!”
The Hotel Noir Chat was almost hidden away across the street from the Louvre on a quiet back alley. Once a tavern, the Hotel Noir Chat was converted into a three-star hotel in the early 1900s. The Devreaux family tended the property and made it more of a bed-and-breakfast-style hotel. Three beautiful black cats with yellow and green eyes had greeted Clara upon arrival to the lobby.
“I knew you would love the furry friends here as soon as I saw the picture of them on the hotel website.” Amanda grinned as she hugged her best friend. “That cast is larger than I thought. I hope you are prepared to hobble around Paris with it.”
“I have a knee scooter due to be delivered courtesy of David tomorrow morning.”
“I knew I liked that man for a reason. Before you come up to room seven, you need to register with the Concierge really quick. She just needs your passport info, then I have big plans for you.”
Clara gave Amanda her hand luggage as she checked in. The hotel may not have been as luxurious as her London property, but it had a lot of charm and character. Amanda waited for Clara to finish at the front desk before the two dropped Clara’s bags off inside their room. Clara needed a few minutes to change and refresh herself.
“You need to dress to impress. We’re going shopping for me and taking a trip to the Eiffel Tower and doing a Seine cruise.” Amanda had a difficult time remaining still. Her hands wildly gesticulated as she spoke. She spoke so quickly, Clara had a difficult time keeping up. “I made sure our itinerary for today would be light on the walking.”
Clara almost groaned when Amanda mentioned the word shopping. Clara loved shopping, but Amanda took shopping to another level. After getting a pay raise, Amanda had become interested in luxury fashion. “We’re going to Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Hermes, I’m guessing?” Amanda plopped herself on the bed, waiting for Clara to do her hair and put on her desired dress.
“Ha! You know me well. I’ve narrowed it down to Chanel, LV, and the Galeries Lafayette. The Chanel boutique on Rue Cambon, you may enjoy. Coco Chanel used to live above the atelier and have her studio there.”
“Now I’m intrigued. What about my Musee D’Orsay and Louvre?”
“That’s tomorrow, and after is a day trip to Versailles for you.”
“You’re the best.”
“I know I am!” Amanda exclaimed.
Amanda stood as Clara moved to give Amanda a hug. Amanda’s hands stopped Clara in the process, grabbing her hand. Amanda turned Clara’s wrist over, her eyes widening at the sight of the amethyst bracelet on her wrist.
