Page 40 of The Paris Chapter

‘Huh.’ It wasn’t a completely crazy idea. The thought of facing my publishers in London without having written any of my book was terrifying. If I could write something before confessing I was well behind on my deadline, that would be much better. And Ethan was here for another week for his course so we wouldn’t have to say goodbye yet. ‘I’m not sure I could justify the money though…’ I said, biting my lip. The Airbnb, if it was even available for another week, was expensive and my income depended on me writing, which I currently couldn’t seem to do.

‘Stay with me!’ Juliette cried. ‘Ethan was going to but he can easily stay with Oscar and you can have my spare room,’ she beamed. ‘It’s perfect!’

‘Oh, I couldn’t possibly…’

Juliette held up her hand to stop me talking. ‘We are friends, yes?’ she demanded.

‘Of course, yes, we are…’

‘Exactement. So you will stay with me for however long you want to stay in Paris. Okay?’

I remembered Ethan saying that Juliette was impossible to say no to and now I knew he was completely right. I found myself nodding along. ‘Oui, merci.’

My phone beeped and I couldn’t help but smile when Ethan’s name appeared on the screen.

I think I’ll be ready in two hours. I’ll meet you at the apartment and we can go out somewhere. xx

‘Ethan wants to meet in a couple of hours,’ I told Juliette.

‘Lots of time to go shopping then,’ she replied happily.

‘What do you think Ethan will say about me staying here longer?’

‘He will be happy,’ she said with a smile.

‘Really?’

‘Of course.’

Our food arrived then and we paused our conversation. Juliette’s optimism was catching. Despite so many things being up in the air, I did feel better in Paris. So maybe it did make sense to stay and see what else this city could do for me.

‘I’m going to text the older man and see him tonight,’ Juliette suddenly said once the waiter had left us.

I started laughing and she joined in.

After our lunch, Juliette took me to an area of Paris where there were a few vintage shops. She told me that I’d love the quirky style in them and then we’d go to a designer shop so she could find a sexy dress for her date. Juliette’s appetite for life was infectious. I knew that no one was carefree all day every day, but she seemed to try hard to be. And that seemed like a great way to live.

‘My best friend in London is pregnant,’ I said as we looked through a rail of clothes side-by-side.

‘I don’t want children but I’m happy for those who do,’ Juliette said. ‘She is happy?’

‘Yeah. She’s been with her husband since we were all at school. I guess I’ve always wanted what they have together. But I’ve realised that everyone has their own relationship. And trying to find what someone else has will never work. It’s like what you said about finding someone you connect with. Not someone who seems to tick all the boxes you dreamed of when you were growing up. Joe seemed like a Disney prince to me.’

Juliette giggled. ‘I can see that. But no one is perfect like that. Ethan is good for you. You smile more than when you did whenyou first got here.’ She pulled out a stunning dress and held it up for my approval. It was something I’d never wear and for a second, I felt less than again. It was the kind of dress that Joe kept telling me he wanted to see me in. I knew Juliette would look amazing in it so I nodded for her to get it. ‘Are you okay?’ she asked, noticing I had gone quiet.

‘Do you ever find it hard being yourself?’ I blurted out.

Juliette frowned. ‘Why would you want to be anyone else?’

She went to buy the dress and left me watching her go. The question hung in the air, and I knew I would be thinking about it for a long time.

When Ethan came back to the apartment, I was making a cup of tea in the kitchen and scrolling on my phone. ‘How was it today?’ I asked, looking up and smiling as he walked in. He was carrying something under his arm.

‘It was fine although the chef was particularly demanding.’ Ethan sighed. ‘Honestly, I’m kind of wishing it wasn’t a two-week course at this point. But I know it will be helpful if I have my own restaurant one day.’ He looked unsure about it.

‘You can do it,’ I told him.

‘Confident about my work but not your own?’ Ethan smiled at me.

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