Three Means 1

Chapter 1: City of Love

Dulce had resided in the magnificent capital of Scotland, Edinburgh, for nineteen years. Never had she entertained the idea of moving away, since it was universally acknowledged as one of the safest cities in the United Kingdom. The year was 1968, and Dulce's humble home was an unusual cottage constructed of grey bricks, crowned with a chimney that had served to keep her family warm through many cold nights.

Her family, consisting only of her dear mother, was no more. Her mother, the only family she truly loved, had passed away just four months prior, leaving Dulce in a tremendous loneliness. It was, indeed, this profound loss that pushed her toward the adventure ahead.

At her bakery, Dulce had first learned about the intriguing concept of house exchanges through her colleague, Eliza, a worldly forty year old woman who had been a great comfort during Dulce's loneliest days. Eliza, who had once lived in France for four years during her own youthful age of twenty five, praised the value of those kinds of exchanges.

"Paris is the place to go! There's delicious food, the Eiffel Tower, fabulous fashion and, let's not forget, French boys." Eliza had declared, slipping into the charming French accent she liked to use now and then. Eliza's stories of Parisian life, filled with culinary goods and romantic charm, sparked curiosity in Dulce's heart, planting the seeds of a possible new beginning in the City of Light.

"I actually like it here in the United Kingdom. It's calm, relaxing and there are no protests." Dulce lied, her heart clenching at the thought of staying there forever.

"Oh, Dulce, those protests won't last long. If anything, what if you find a handsome, brave boy at one of them? You can't stay here for the rest of your life, you know? Your mother would have wanted you to be a free bird and try different experiences in life." Eliza spoke, but she knew all too well that Dulce's mother had been as strict as a parent could be.

"I know no one there. At least here I have you."

  "Paris will change your life!" Eliza insisted, her eyes sparkling. She placed her hand on Dulce's and held it gently, offering reassurance.

"If you're worried about the people, don't be. They will treat you with kindness and the utmost respect. If you're worried about where to stay, don't. I have just the place for you," she continued, her voice barely able to contain her excited, high pitched tone. Eliza's excitement was contagious, and her promises of a warm Parisian welcome brought Dulce's hopes up.

    "What kind of place are we talking about?" Dulce asked, her curiosity growing. Finding the right place to stay had been her biggest concern.

Eliza's eyes widened in shock as she stepped back, a hand pressed to her chest. "Did you not know the details about my experience in Paris?" she asked, incredulously.

Dulce shook her head.

This revelation was all the encouragement Eliza needed to begin her story. She explained how she had always dreamt of studying film in Paris, and how her mother, supportive of her aspirations but lacking the money, had come up with a clever solution. Her mother had offered their home for exchange, and in return, a wealthy French couple had offered theirs.

"It was a grand apartment, just steps away from the Louvre," Eliza remembered, her voice filled with nostalgia. "You'll stay there, Dulce. It will be perfect for you, I promise."

She went on and on about the couple: at the time, the wife was entering her thirties and the husband was just finishing his. Both were successful filmmakers, yet they hated
spending too much. They held a firm belief in service to others and, above all, were notorious control freaks. This was the trait Eliza emphasized the most.