A Sunset in Paris (2 page)

Zoe's parents regarded her as though she had mutated suddenly.

'Back to the dining room,' said Zoe's dad firmly, 'We need a bit more information than you've given us!'

They trooped into the dining room, drawing glances from the few late breakfasters that were left. They all helped themselves to a cup of coffee and sat down in the furthest corner of the room.

'Right, young lady, spill it!' said Zoe's mum.

Zoe glanced at her, wanting to see if her mum was upset or angry, but she simply looked intrigued. Heartened by this, Zoe took a deep breath and started to tell them everything, beginning with her disappointment over Zack not coming along. When she got to the end of the tale her parents looked much happier and relieved.

'That all makes sense now,' said her dad eventually, 'we didn't know how you could have possibly met anyone as yet, but it all makes sense… It's still a bit quick, mind you…' he trailed off as though he wasn't quite sure how to finish.

Zoe's mum had a question of her own,

'Do you know what a
coup de foudre
is, love?'

Zoe shook her head indicating no, and her mum continued,

'It's from the French, literal translation being 'blow of lightning', and it usually refers to suddenly falling in love…love at first sight.' She smiled at Zoe, her face lit up and oddly pretty.

'Oh… oh wow.' whispered Zoe, her face flaming bright red again, but she couldn't hold back her feelings of extreme happiness at what Etienne had said – not least because she felt exactly the same way.

Her parents looked at each other, and moving in unison, put their arms around each other.

'Did we ever tell you how we met?' asked her dad.

Zoe shook her head, unable to remember if she had ever even thought about how her parents had met.

'We were both on holiday with our families in Italy.' Her mum took her dad's hand and she still had that softly pretty glow about her. 'As soon as we saw each other, we KNEW. We both thought the other was Italian so we tried to speak Italian to each other, which didn't work because I only knew about four words and dad about twice as much as me!'

Dad laughed, and took up the tale, 'Eventually, I got frustrated and said, 'Oh god, what is the word for beach' and your mum realised that I was as English as she was!' We both laughed and we were inseparable for the rest of our holiday. We stayed in touch afterwards, even though we lived on opposite ends of the country and as soon as we were old enough, we moved closer to each other. And then, we got married!'

He dropped a quick kiss on Zoe's mum's face and Zoe thought it was exactly the kind of kiss that Etienne had just given her; full of affection and tenderness.

'How old were you?' asked Zoe, her eyes wide and fascinated.

'We were sixteen and nineteen,' answered her mum, 'much like you and Etienne.'

Zoe was worried that the time would drag before Etienne came to collect her, but she need not have worried. She and her parents went exploring, finding another street market bursting with clothes, bags, shoes and make-up which she and her mum explored excitedly, while her dad stood to one side looking slightly bored and resigned to the wait. They bought a few odds and ends, and then headed back to the hotel so Zoe could get ready for her date.

Etienne was early, already waiting nervously in the foyer as she came down in the lift. She had chosen a skater skirt and her new crushed velvet top, teaming them with a gorgeous pair of high heels shoes. Zoe had applied just a touch of eye shadow, some mascara to enhance her eyelashes and the softest baby pink lipstick that she could find. She looked, according to her parents, absolutely stunning – and she had to admit, she felt pretty good too!

Etienne rose to his feet as her saw her, his mouth sagging open a little as he drank her in.

'Wow, you look so beautiful,' he said, his voice cracking slightly on his words.

'Why, thank you.' smiled Zoe, twirling around and dropping a small curtsy to him. He grinned delightedly and took both her hands in his, both of them drawing a breath at the touch of the other.

They decided to go for a slow stroll, ending up at a café or cinema, depending how they felt at the time. They said goodbye to Zoe's parents and Marcel who watched them leave together, smiles of nostalgic happiness on their faces.

The walk passed in a romantic haze for Zoe, who simply walked, completely trusting Etienne to guide her safely through the busy raucous throng. She had never had a boyfriend before, never felt the way she did right now and she had never been properly kissed: something that she suspected was about to change. They walked and walked for hours, talking occasionally, but for the most part content to simply stroll along, hand in hand enjoying the small physical contact and the much greater emotional one.

They stopped for a drink at a café, sitting at one of the outside tables and watching the people passing by, as they learned about the other's hopes and dreams: hopes and dreams that now seamlessly expanded to include each other. At one point they stopped talking and simply looked at each other. Etienne leaned forward slightly, as if he was going to kiss her, but then he stopped himself and suggested that they move on.

As they walked, Zoe asked,

'Back there, were you going to kiss me?' she glanced at him, and then carried on in a hurry, 'If you were, why did you stop? Is it me, is there something wrong…?'

'Oh, gosh, no! I was going to, and I sure would like to still – very much, but I just thought there was a better place for our first kiss than a little sidewalk café!'

Zoe smiled to herself, blushing a little, opened her mouth to say something, and then closed it again with a little shake of her head.

'What?' he asked, curiously, pressing her for an answer when she did not want to tell him.

'It will be my first proper kiss… I've never been kissed before.' She eventually admitted, slightly shame-facedly.

He smiled at her then, putting his arm around her shoulders and giving her a warm hug as they walked along. 'Well, then I'm even happier that I decided to wait.' he said decisively.

They walked on a little way further, and he left his arm around her shoulders. She slipped her arm around his waist and they walked on, a perfect fit against each other. She was so wrapped in her feelings: happiness, nervousness, excitement and a hint of fear, that she did not realise where they were heading until Etienne led her onto a field. He gestured with one arm, grandly, smiling tenderly at her. 'How about this as a setting for the beginning of something truly wonderful? Do you think we will remember this for the rest of our lives?' Zoe looked around her with wide eyes, and up at the Eiffel Tower in awe, then nodded at Etienne. He put his arms around her and drew her close, welcoming her into the warm embrace of his masculine solidity. As his lips gently touched hers, she felt as though she would melt with sheer happiness and she decided that Paris WAS indeed, the romance capital of the world. Behind them, the sun dipped a little lower, brushing the horizon and lighting up the clouds with touches of the softest pink and gold.