From Paris With Love by Desiree Cox Read Free Book Online Page B

One day she would go out to the local boulangerie to buy croissants for her breakfast.  One day she would spend her Sunday mornings here on the steps of the Sacré Coeur.
    As they left the Place St Pierre, they made their way back through winding streets to the Renault.  Isabelle felt a little sad as she left, this was such a special place.  She gripped Etienne’s hand tighter and he responded warmly, pulling her close and kissing her right there on the street! 
    Jean-Luc laughed at her startled expression.  “Here in Paris, we are passionate!  We Frenchmen like to kiss our women!” and he demonstrated by kissing Odile soundly on the lips.
    Isabelle smiled shyly as Etienne released her slightly.  It was so different at home!  And what would her mother say?
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
     

9 novembre 1980
     
    Ma chere Isabelle
    It is late evening and I am thinking of you. Just as I think of you often.  Thank you for your last letter.  I like to read your letters and hear what you are doing.  The party sounded so much fun and I wish I could have been there with you.  Paris to England for one party?  Maybe not, but one day I hope we will go to lots of parties together.
    I still cannot understand why you think I would forget you or why I wouldn’t write to you.  You believed too much in the French reputation – fortunately we’re not all like that.  I hope you believe me now that I have written you several letters!
    You are so lucky to live by the sea.  To experience all the pleasures of the seaside – walk on the beach, see the boats, watch the sunsets.  I would love to watch the sunset with you.  That would be so romantic.  I think you are like me, romantic too, n’est-ce pas?
    At the weekend I am going to record a cassette for you of French songs.  The ones that I really enjoy.  I will include Moustaki, Lavilliers, LeForestier, Duteil – there are so many favourites.  Maybe you would do the same for me?  I would love to hear the music you enjoy.  English music is usually very good, I think!
    For now I leave you.  I think of you often and want to be with you soon.
    Je t’embrasse tendrement and je t’envoie beaucoup de bisses.
    Etienne
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
     

Chapter Eight
     
    From Montmartre they headed along the boulevard Rochechouart and through Pigalle, the red-light district of Paris.  Jean-Luc pointed out the Moulin Rouge with its landmark red windmill, famous as the birthplace of the can-can dance and now located in one of the more risqué and bohemian areas of Paris. 
    Jean-Luc knew his way around Paris and manoeuvred the Renault expertly through the one-way streets so the girls could see as much of the city as possible. They continued past the celebrated Opera House and the majestic church of the Madeleine in the more salubrious 8e arrondissement.  Odile pointed out the department stores of Le Printemps and Les Galleries Lafayettes, which the girls had glimpsed on their hair-raising drive back from the station withJean-Luc.
    “One day next week, we come back here, just us girls and we go shopping.  Yes?” 
    Both Christina and Isabelle nodded eagerly.  How chic it sounded – shopping in Paris!  Isabelle could feel Etienne’s fingers gently caressing hers as she gazed out of the window at the sights of Paris, and he gazed at her. 
    Jean-Luc slowed the car down slightly, “Look” he pointed to the left and Isabelle wished again that he’d keep both hands on the steering wheel, the traffic really was crazy around here.  “L’Arc de Triomphe!”
    The girls looked out and Etienne turned his eyes lazily towards the grand Arch, a majestic monument to the glory of the French army.
    “This is the Etoile,” explained Etienne.  “There are twelve avenues coming away from the Arch and it looks like a star from above which is why it is called the Etoile.  You can climb to the roof of the Arc de Triomphe, there are good views.  Although personally I prefer the views from the Sacré