Page 9 of The Paris Chapter

‘Okay, I better go. I need to get out of this apartment and find something to inspire a story idea.’

‘Okay. Good luck. You’ve got this. Keep me updated. And Tessa…’

‘Yeah?’

‘Bring me back some croissants.’

I laughed. ‘I will. Do some work, talk to you later.’

We hung up.

Carly worked from home too; she was a copy editor and proofreader. She was freelance working for different publishers, and sometimes we worked in cafés together but always ended up talking instead of working. While she could never write a book herself – or so she would say – she was brilliant at making them as good as possible and I loved bouncing ideas off her. I just wished right now my mind wasn’t blank.

After finishing my tea, I threw my leather jacket and boots on, grabbed my cross-body bag and left the apartment.

The chilly air hit me when I went outside, immediately waking me up. I turned towards the Luxembourg gardens. When I researched Paris, this looked like a place I would enjoy so I thought I’d start there. It was a lovely morning. Crisp and sunny: the best combo. I put my hands in my coat pocket and strolled around the pond. Some people were sitting in the green chairs, others walked past me holding takeaway coffees, a family pointed out ducks on the water, and a group of tourists took photos of the stunning fountains. The city was alive as people headed for work or school or, like me, enjoyed the sights.

I took my phone out of my bag and snapped a picture as I stood by the water, watching the sunshine glistening on top of it. My social media accounts to promote my books had been neglected since my spilt with Joe so I posted the photo on all of them, announcing that I was on a research trip, although I felt like a fraud doing so. Excited comments flowed in from readers, keen to know what my next novel would be about.

You and me both, guys.

Finding an empty green chair by the lake, I sat down and took in the peace. I felt some of the tension roll out of my shoulders.This was really a beautiful place and I was happy I’d decided to come here.

Half an hour passed but nothing came to me. I still had no idea what I could write my next book about. Deciding that maybe brainstorming might help, I pulled out my notebook and pen.

Paris novel ideas:

My pen hovered above the page.

Main character meets a man who turns out to be like every other man and breaks her heart so she swears off love, moves to Paris and lives happily ever after with lots of cats.

‘Paris already inspiring you?’

5

I yelped at the sudden voice, dropped my pen and looked up to see Ethan standing a couple of feet away. He looked amused again and bent down to pick the pen up. As he handed it back to me, I hastily closed my notebook so he couldn’t see what I had written. ‘What the hell? You scared me!’

‘I seem to surprise you a lot,’ Ethan replied with a shrug.

‘The curse of being a daydreamer,’ I said.

‘I saw you as I was walking through the garden so thought I’d make a detour to say hi.’

I peered up at him. ‘I thought you were at your course.’

‘I was. We only had an hour’s welcome meeting this morning then we’re going back to the restaurant this afternoon to help the chef prepare for dinner service. It’s mildly terrifying.’

‘Only mildly terrifying?’ I smiled. ‘Just don’t scare anyone if they are holding a knife.’

‘The first rule of being a chef,’ Ethan replied. ‘This is my favourite spot in Paris,’ he added, looking around. ‘Thought I’d take a walk then take in some sights while I wait. I thought you might want the flat to yourself to write.’

‘I’m still at the planning stages,’ I said, waving my notebook. ‘The very early planning stages. Basically, all I know is that the book will be set here in Paris. So it felt more productive to get out into the city.’

‘I suppose Paris is like Disneyland for romance writers,’ Ethan said with a smile. ‘Are you hitting all the romantic spots so you can include them in the book?’

I hid my wince. ‘I suppose I’ll have to.’

‘You’re not keen?’

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