Page 103 of Daughters of Paris

He glanced over his shoulder then back to Fleur. ‘And I want somebody to look after her. If I was taken, or had to go somewhere, I wouldn’t want to think of her on her own.’

‘Oh, Sébastien.’ Fleur shook her head sadly. ‘You really like her, don’t you?’

He dropped her hand and ruffled his hair. ‘I know it’s hopeless for me. She doesn’t love me back, but I can’t help it. The very first time I saw her, I was a lost man, even when I thought she was a spoiled little piece. I know that sounds like something unbelievable from a book or movie, but it’s true.’

Fleur’s stomach clenched. She knew the feeling well enough. She’d felt it about Sébastien for long enough until Laurent had appeared in her life. Now all of her longing had transferred onto him. Another man who she could not have, but at least one she knew wanted her. It was a slight improvement. Perhaps the next man she met would want her and act on it.

‘It isn’t so unbelievable. Are you sure she doesn’t love you?’

‘I am sure enough. She is too vibrant to settle down, least of all with someone as serious as I am.’

‘Opera would last half an hour,’ Fleur murmured.

‘What?’

‘Oh, just something silly that Laurent and I were joking about a long time ago. It’s nothing.’

Sébastien frowned. ‘He isn’t working you too hard, is he? I really did have reservations about putting you in touch with him. Not him personally, but the Resistance.’

‘No. I’m glad you did. Put me in contact with the Resistance, I mean,’ Fleur clarified, seeing the light in Sébastien’s eyes. ‘I feel useful. I’m part of something bigger than I am.’

‘But you’ll think about what I asked?’ He looked at her hopefully.

‘I’ll think about it,’ Fleur promised.

The coffee pot began to bubble and spurt. Sébastien turned the ring off. ‘I don’t think I’ll stay. Tell Colette I’ll see her soon.’

‘Of course. Are you doing anything at four? Laurent and I are going for a walk along the river to catch the sunshine. The two of you should come with us.’

‘As long as we won’t be intruding,’ Sébastien said. He kissed her cheek. ‘Fleur, thank you.’

‘For what? I haven’t said I will definitely give it up.’

‘No, but you said you will consider it. That means a lot. Please don’t mention anything to Colette, by the way. I haven’t discussed this with her.’

He put his shoes on and left. Colette returned shortly afterwards, wearing a cream linen dress that was starting to look slightly strained around her abdomen. She saw Fleur looking and stopped.

‘I know. The little sprout is starting to show already. You’ll have to see if Laurent can come by another parachute.’

‘Does it bother you?’ Fleur asked, ignoring the reference to Laurent.

‘It really doesn’t. This time it feels different. Feeling the life growing inside me.’ Colette sat and tucked her foot under her. She looked thoughtful. ‘Would it be a dreadful mistake if I kept the baby when it is born?’

Fleur was silent for a moment. ‘I don’t know,’ she said eventually. ‘It feels like perhaps it would be wrong for younotto keep the baby. Have you talked to Sébastien about it?’

Colette shook her head. ‘No. I’m scared to because I’m not sure what he would answer. I told him about the… the other baby. He was as wonderfully understanding as you would expect but he might expect me to give up this one too, or he might think I would expect him to pay for the upkeep. I think I would have to because I can’t raise a child on what I make from sewing and I’ve nearly sold all my jewellery.’

‘Or he might ask you to marry him again,’ Fleur pointed out quietly, remembering the love that had shone in his eyes as they had spoken. She was glad Colette had told him about the first baby. She hadn’t found a way to ask if Colette was going to.

Colette gave her a bashful look. ‘Yes, he might. I’m not sure if that might be worse.’

Fleur sipped her coffee, thinking deeply. She hadn’t seen Colette with another man to compare her behaviour with, but she seemed very fond of Sébastien. She couldn’t imagine Colette inviting many men round to play card games with. And because the world had twisted and she had stepped into a new one where she no longer wanted Sébastien, she knew that the thing that could make her happiest was seeing her friends recognise each other’s affection.

‘You do like him though, don’t you?’ she said. ‘When you are together, you both seem very happy. You should talk to him about it.’

Colette’s mouth twitched. ‘I don’t like him as much as he wants me to. I don’t want to hurt him by not being there for him.’

That selflessness was the deciding factor for Fleur. She looked at Colette and smiled.

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