Love on Notes

30

When I went to the library the next morning, I felt different. I walked down the street and didn't pay any attention to the rubbish on the pavement or the dead leaves, all I could see were happy people and the smell of coffee and hot chocolate as I passed a café.

— Elizabeth! exclaimed Claire as I entered the library.
— Hello, Claire! How are you?
— I'm fine, but I was worried that I hadn't seen you for over a month.
— I haven't been here for over a month? I didn't realise...
— Have you met anyone?
— Er... I... Sorry?

I looked at her in disbelief. Surely she couldn't know I was seeing someone. Just because I'd been away didn't mean I was necessarily seeing someone.

— The way you said hello to me was different. Besides, you look different. Not that you're usually sad, but this time I really feel you're happy. And knowing you're a romantic, I thought only love could have changed you like that. But given the way you're blushing, I'm right, aren't I?

I frowned, confused. I hadn't thought it would be so easy to guess, especially for the lady at the front desk of my library. I smiled at her.

— Oh, well, I suppose so.
— Fantastic! she exclaimed before getting back to work, seeing that I didn't want to prolong the discussion.

After putting Before I Ever Met You back down, I looked for a novel that the stranger had commented on. Trying to find a clue, I rummaged through the previously annotated novels and found a note on the first page of Six Years Ago that read:

The Life List

I recognised his blue Post-it and his handwriting. Deducing that it was the title of the next novel, I withdrew the note and went in search of it. I finally spotted it after a few minutes. When I read the summary on the back cover, I was immediately won over.

1. Go to Paris
2. Have a baby, maybe two
3. Fall in love
Brett Bohlinger seems to have it all: a plum job, a spacious loft, an irresistibly handsome boyfriend. All in all, a charmed life. That is, until her beloved mother passes away, leaving behind a will with one big stipulation: In order to receive her inheritance, Brett must first complete the life list of goals she'd written when she was a naïve girl of fourteen. Grief-stricken, Brett can barely make sense of her mother's decision—her childhood dreams don't resemble her ambitions at age thirty-four in the slightest. Some seem impossible. How can she possibly have a relationship with a father who died seven years ago? Other goals (Be an awesome teacher!) would require her to reinvent her entire future. As Brett reluctantly embarks on a perplexing journey in search of her adolescent dreams, one thing becomes clear. Sometimes life's sweetest gifts can be found in the most unexpected places.

With a huge smile on my face, I stuck the stranger's Post-it note into a page of the novel before heading for the exit. Claire scanned it, then handed it to me.

— It's an excellent novel, enjoy!
— Thank you very much, see you next time!

Once I'd settled into my reading chair, I eagerly started the book to discover the notes that the stranger had written me. As the hours passed, I realised how much I was enjoying answering them. Although most of them related to the novel, some were questions about getting to know me better, an intention that touched me deeply.

I paused for a moment to refill my cup of tea, thinking that this wasn't helping my situation with Daniel. I continued reading until I was startled by the ringing of my telephone. Realising it was Daniel, I immediately got up from my chair.

— Hi there!
— Hi Liz, are you still up for twenty minutes?
— Er... what time is it?
— It's twenty to seven.
— Already? I repeated, incredulous. But I haven't even had breakfast...

He laughs.

— What were you doing?
— Er, I was reading. Oh dear, yes. How many minutes' walk is it from my house?
— About ten, I'd say.
— Well, I'll be there in twenty minutes, so I'll see you then!
— Take your time!

As I got ready, I still couldn't believe I'd just spent more than six hours straight absorbed in the novel and writing my answers to the mysterious man. After putting on a pair of black leather trousers and a blue blouse, I quickly applied my make-up. Once I was ready, I grabbed my handbag and headed for the address Daniel had sent me, smiling.

Then I remembered a note in The List Life:

Dear stranger,
I'm impressed by the fact that you're bilingual in English. Your comments are thoughtful and very correct. And I'm delighted that you like all the books I've annotated so far.
I hope you enjoy this one!

I was lost in thought when my phone told me I'd arrived outside Daniel's flat. His building looked like mine, except taller and more imposing.

After ringing the bell, I heard that he had activated the microphone.

— Sixth floor, left-hand corridor! he said, unlocking the door.

As I entered, I wondered what his view of Lille was from such a high floor. The interior was much more luxurious than mine, with marble floors and walls. The white and beige accentuated the spaciousness. My sound my heels made kept resonating as I stepped into the lift, admiring the beauty of the décor. When I arrived in the corridor, I saw Daniel, dressed in a white shirt and jeans. He was waiting for me with a smile on his face and his hands in his pockets.

— Hi! he exclaimed as he came over to me and hugged me.

I smile at him.

— Hey.

Then I apologised for not paying attention to the time.

— Don't worry, you're not even late!

When I entered his flat, I was speechless because it was so magnificent, with very high ceilings. There was marble too, and it was at least three times bigger than my flat, which I considered to be more than big enough.
— Do you want me to take my shoes off?
— Oh no, no, don't worry. I keep my shoes inside.

I rubbed mine on the doormat. As I walked into his living room, I noticed a huge television and four long leather sofas. My gaze then turned to his bay window, which ran along half of his living room, giving a magnificent view of Lille. There was even a balcony with a terrace table and two chairs. With my mouth hanging open, I continued my inspection of his flat and saw a top-of-the-range American kitchen. The television was in front of a dividing wall, so there was another part to this enormous living room. Without further ado, I headed towards it. Judging by the table, the huge velvet sofa and the gigantic bookcase, this was a room dedicated to reading. It had many books I liked, including almost all of Jane Austen's works. I turned to Daniel, who seemed anxious for me to enjoy his flat. His personal belongings were particularly luxurious. I realised that he must earn a lot of money to live here.

— Do you like it? he asked me.
— How could I not love it? It's absolutely magnificent!