First Light

54 forget-me-nots

Saturday 9th of April 2022 (2 weeks later)

Marlo:

Tomorrow is my train back to my dad's house for Easter break. Faye's train isn't until Monday, so we've decided to spend the day together until she gets back to her parents' house and I can see her again.

Camille's is busier than usual, but Bastien still manages to see us as we walk through the door, shouting "Mes petits!" loudly over the sound of the coffee machine and the people talking.

I wave back to him to let him know we've heard him, and take our place in the queue. I don't remember being in a queue here this long before.

Bastien smiles at us warmly when we reach the front.

"The usual, yes?" He says, referring to two hot chocolates.

I shake my head at this though, looking up at the wooden menu board behind him. It's slightly warmer today, not hot, but it's starting to feel more like spring time. I didn't need a coat today, only a hoodie.

Faye and I had wondered what we wanted whilst waiting, but unfortunately I don't have a suggestion for her as I've only ever been here in cold weather.

"Get the Diabolo in passion fruit," Faye had said to me. "My parents get it sometimes in the summer. It's soda."

So I say this to Bastien, and he nods.

"Good choice, mon ami, good choice. Would you like anything to eat? Any snacks?"

"Can we just get two croque-monsieurs, please." I reply.

Bastien's face lights up at my pronunciation of the toasted ham and cheese sandwich.

"I see you have been practicing, ah? Very good. Très bien."

I grin, looking down at Faye, who gives me an impressed nod.

Bastien continues. "I'm afraid your usual table is occupied, but would you like to sit somewhere in the outside area?"

"There's an outside?" Faye and I answer almost simultaneously, making Bastien let out one of his loud belly-laughs.

"Mais, oui, of course. I only open it when the weather starts to get warmer, naturally."

Faye turns her head to look at me, so I turn to her to see an excited smile.

"Did you want to sit outside? I don't mind." She asks, practically beaming.

I smile at her. "Yeah, of course. I wanna see how it looks," I turn back to Bastien. "We'll sit outside."

"Okay, no problem. Eric will take you to a table, then come back for your food and drinks."

We follow one of the waiters, Eric, into the room with the usual tables, and I look at the people who are sitting at Faye's and mine. I would reserve it forever if I could.

There is a doorway in the wall that has seemingly magically appeared, but a second later I realise that the actual 'door' is in fact one of the bookshelves. It's a secret door. How have I never noticed that before?