Three Means 1

Chapter 1: City of Love

    Dulce had resided in the resplendent capital of Scotland, Edinburgh, for the span of nineteen years. Never had she entertained the notion of relocating, for it was universally acknowledged as one of the safest cities within the United Kingdom. The year of our tale 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 a cold night.

    Her family, consisting solely of her dear mother, was no more. Her mother, her only cherished kin, had passed away a mere four months prior, leaving Dulce in a desolate solitude. It was, indeed, this profound loss that propelled her towards her forthcoming adventure.

    In her position at the local bakery, Dulce had become acquainted with the intriguing concept of house exchanges through her colleague, Eliza, a worldly woman of forty years, who had been a source of considerable solace during Dulce's overwhelming sense of loneliness. Eliza, who had once resided in France for four years during her own youthful age of twenty-five, had extolled the virtues of such exchanges.

    "Paris is the place to go. There's delicious food, the Eiffel Tower, fantastic fashion, and, shall I not forget, French boys," she had proclaimed, imitating the charming French accent she would occasionally adopt. Eliza's tales of Parisian life, filled with culinary delights and romantic allure, sparked a flicker of 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 argued, her voice a blend of encouragement and mild admonition. She knew all too well that Dulce's mother had been as strict as a parent could be, instilling in her daughter a sense of duty and reserve.

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

"Paris will change your life!" Eliza insisted, her eyes sparkling with conviction. She placed her hand on Dulce's and held it gently, offering reassurance through the warmth of her touch.

    "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 enthusiasm was infectious, and her promises of a welcoming Parisian experience painted a vivid picture in Dulce's mind.

"What kind of place are we talking about?" Dulce asked, her interest piqued. The prospect of finding suitable accommodation had been her greatest concern.

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

    "I didn't even know you visited Paris," Dulce replied.

    This revelation was all the encouragement Eliza needed to launch into 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 financial means, 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 reminisced, her voice filled with nostalgia. "You'll stay there, Dulce. It will be perfect for you, I promise."