The Freedom That Paper Gives

Getting Back On Track

Marie breathes a sigh on relief and tried to sneakily see who this saviour was. And lo and behold it was Percy, looking incredibly tired if I do say so myself. Marie took out her earbuds when she saw Percy was trying to catch her attention.

"I saw your face when they came in and thought it would be a good time to take my break. Everyone is going to hate me for taking this table for myself but I figured you didn't need it after the last family that sat next to you." Percy said, hoping that this would make her more relaxed.

Before Marie could stop herself she launched and gave Percy a hug, taking both herself and Percy by surprise.

"I am so sorry! I'm very tactile, and grateful. And I can't concentrate when I'm surrounded by a lot of people, especially when they are loud." Marie blurted out, slowly filling with self loathing.
"No, no it's fine. I'm just happy I could help." Percy replied, realising that it was.
"You helped me so much, thank you Percy. I mean it, for today at least you are my hero."
"Then it's a good job I come bearing gifts then." Percy grinned.

For the first time Marie noticed the second sandwich on the table and Percy handed one to her. It was the exact same one she ordered every Sunday, tuna and sweetcorn.

"Beware Greeks bearing gifts, as the proverb goes." Marie said, more to herself than anything.
"Well if you don't want them..." Percy teased, reaching to take it back.

Marie reached out and took the sandwich, after all she was very hungry.

"I don't think so," Marie said, clutching her food like her life depended on it, "thank you for this, I'll pay for it once this has all died down."
"That's fine. And I'm sorry for prying earlier, I didn't mean to ask so many questions... I get carried away when people talk about travel." Percy said, his voice trailing off as he struggled to look Marie in the eye.
"It's alright, I do the same thing." Marie replied, realising she actually enjoyed talking to Percy, "And I realise not I never answered your question. I am actually thinking about going to France. Either that or in an ideal world Switzerland, but there's no way I can afford that."

Finally, Percy thought, my element of conversation. Percy could talk about travel all day and usually did. Besides he had researched those countries himself, he knew where to go for whatever Marie wanted, and how to save money. But Marie didn't exactly look the hosteling type.

"How about Aosta Valley in Italy or Chamonix in France, it is a bit like Switzerland but cheaper?" He suggested.

Percy was delighted to see Marie warm up to the conversation. She had even locked her laptop screen to give him her full attention.

"I did think about Aosta, Byron is from there and his family still live there so I could live with them. But there aren't that many universities in the mountains. Not like Geneva."

Maybe I should test the waters, Percy thought, see what else she is into?

"Geneva huh? Is that from Frankenstein?"

Marie's mind went back to when she was reading Frankenstein again a few months ago in the cafe. Oscar had bought her a French copy and she wanted to see how it compared to her English copy. At this point Marie was comfortable enough to try an attempt at humour.

"It's that obvious? Unlike a certain character I have no intention of creating a monster, or dropping out."

Is she attempting to be funny? Percy thought to himself as his mind went back to the comment she had made earlier. She's not very good at it, but I can play along. Besides he never got to discuss books with anyone.

"Your one of those who get annoyed when they call him a doctor." Percy replied.

Suddenly Marie became more open and relaxed, books this was her element. She could and often did spend hours discussing books with others. Perhaps Percy was like her, she thought, and she considered the idea of introducing him to the group.