Paris Dreaming by Anita Heiss Read Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Anita Heiss
you taking photos like a tourist,' Canelle said.
'For my friends and family back home only.'
At the taxi stand, we bumped into a group of people from the launch who were saying goodnight to each other. Canelle knew a lot of them and was speaking French and giving kissing farewells. I felt warm and comfortably relaxed from the Australian wine that was served.
I looked to my left and saw a red tie. It was on a Blackfella. The first secretary. He was one of the tallest men I'd seen in Paris. He had a round face framed by masses of brown curls and titanium-rimmed glasses. His eyes were too close together, making him look shifty, I thought. He had a big smile but thin lips. Broad shoulders, small waist and the same golden-brown complexion as me. He wore a black suit and white shirt and expensive-looking black shoes with his red tie. I couldn't believe I was now becoming more conscious of men's fashion as well.
He spotted me at the same time.
' Bonsoir, mademoiselle ,' he said, extending his hand before I had a chance to say anything.
I took his hand and said, 'Hi.'
'You're Libby Cutmore.'
I nodded and smiled.
'And you're absolutely beautiful.'
'Yes, I am,' is all I could say, embarrassed.
I immediately thought of the Red Béret outside the Musée d'Orsay and how sleazy he was with his lines. Now it appeared that Blackfellas from home were using them too. I didn't want to be rude, because he was the first secretary, so I maintained an appropriate level of diplomacy.
'Yes, I am!' I said again. 'I mean, I'm Libby Cutmore, not yes, I'm beautiful. You know what I mean.'
'But you are beautiful, and I am Jake Ross.' He handed me his card.
I gave him my card in return. 'I'm here for five months working at the musée doing educational lectures and tours.'
'Yes, I know, and you're Gamilaroi, from Moree,' he said, smiling so wide I thought his thin lips would split and his round face would crack. 'I am sorry I missed the opening of your exhibition, I had to deliver a speech in Cannes and couldn't get back in time. I heard it was a huge success though. AusTrade have called me about enquiries they've had regarding some of the artists involved. We should have a meeting.'
'Of course,' I said politely, but I was sure he was just using the business talk as an excuse. You don't start a work discussion by telling someone they're beautiful. Not in my world. Even though I did look rather special with my orange scarf, black pinstripe tunic and black pumps.
' Bonsoir , Jake,' another suited man was at Jake's side. Jake turned and shook his hand and Canelle appeared at my side to usher me into a taxi without an opportunity to say goodbye.
Minutes later, my mobile rang, but I didn't answer it in time. There was a short voicemail message that I played out loud for Canelle to translate in case it was in French.
'Libby, it's Jake Ross.' Although we had just met it took me a few seconds to register who it was. 'I'm sorry we didn't say goodbye properly. I am with some staff and we are going back to a bar near the embassy. I would like you to join us for a nightcap. Perhaps you could call me back.'
' Oohlala , Elizabeth, I think he is interested in you. And he was very, very handsome. And very important.' Canelle was more impressed with the call than I was.
I pressed 'return call' on my phone and got his voicemail. I imagined his phone was tied up because he was calling the next in a long line of women to have a drink with. After the beep, I left a short message: 'Hello Jake, it's Libby Cutmore. Thanks for the offer of drinks, but I am almost home now. I will call your office to arrange a meeting to discuss the AusTrade interest you mentioned. Nice meeting you. Goodnight.' I hung up the phone only to hear
'For my friends and family back home only.'
At the taxi stand, we bumped into a group of people from the launch who were saying goodnight to each other. Canelle knew a lot of them and was speaking French and giving kissing farewells. I felt warm and comfortably relaxed from the Australian wine that was served.
I looked to my left and saw a red tie. It was on a Blackfella. The first secretary. He was one of the tallest men I'd seen in Paris. He had a round face framed by masses of brown curls and titanium-rimmed glasses. His eyes were too close together, making him look shifty, I thought. He had a big smile but thin lips. Broad shoulders, small waist and the same golden-brown complexion as me. He wore a black suit and white shirt and expensive-looking black shoes with his red tie. I couldn't believe I was now becoming more conscious of men's fashion as well.
He spotted me at the same time.
' Bonsoir, mademoiselle ,' he said, extending his hand before I had a chance to say anything.
I took his hand and said, 'Hi.'
'You're Libby Cutmore.'
I nodded and smiled.
'And you're absolutely beautiful.'
'Yes, I am,' is all I could say, embarrassed.
I immediately thought of the Red Béret outside the Musée d'Orsay and how sleazy he was with his lines. Now it appeared that Blackfellas from home were using them too. I didn't want to be rude, because he was the first secretary, so I maintained an appropriate level of diplomacy.
'Yes, I am!' I said again. 'I mean, I'm Libby Cutmore, not yes, I'm beautiful. You know what I mean.'
'But you are beautiful, and I am Jake Ross.' He handed me his card.
I gave him my card in return. 'I'm here for five months working at the musée doing educational lectures and tours.'
'Yes, I know, and you're Gamilaroi, from Moree,' he said, smiling so wide I thought his thin lips would split and his round face would crack. 'I am sorry I missed the opening of your exhibition, I had to deliver a speech in Cannes and couldn't get back in time. I heard it was a huge success though. AusTrade have called me about enquiries they've had regarding some of the artists involved. We should have a meeting.'
'Of course,' I said politely, but I was sure he was just using the business talk as an excuse. You don't start a work discussion by telling someone they're beautiful. Not in my world. Even though I did look rather special with my orange scarf, black pinstripe tunic and black pumps.
' Bonsoir , Jake,' another suited man was at Jake's side. Jake turned and shook his hand and Canelle appeared at my side to usher me into a taxi without an opportunity to say goodbye.
Minutes later, my mobile rang, but I didn't answer it in time. There was a short voicemail message that I played out loud for Canelle to translate in case it was in French.
'Libby, it's Jake Ross.' Although we had just met it took me a few seconds to register who it was. 'I'm sorry we didn't say goodbye properly. I am with some staff and we are going back to a bar near the embassy. I would like you to join us for a nightcap. Perhaps you could call me back.'
' Oohlala , Elizabeth, I think he is interested in you. And he was very, very handsome. And very important.' Canelle was more impressed with the call than I was.
I pressed 'return call' on my phone and got his voicemail. I imagined his phone was tied up because he was calling the next in a long line of women to have a drink with. After the beep, I left a short message: 'Hello Jake, it's Libby Cutmore. Thanks for the offer of drinks, but I am almost home now. I will call your office to arrange a meeting to discuss the AusTrade interest you mentioned. Nice meeting you. Goodnight.' I hung up the phone only to hear
Similar Books
Fillet of Murder
Linda Reilly
The Heavenly Surrender
Marcia Lynn McClure
Spider Shepherd: SAS: #2
Stephen Leather
The Water Witch
Juliet Dark
Lunch in Paris
Elizabeth Bard
Team Play
Bonnie Bryant
The Book of the Unknown: Tales of the Thirty-six
Jonathon Keats
The Warrior's Wife
Denise Domning
Hidden Dragons
Bianca D'Arc