Snow on Christmas

The lost charm

"I can't believe I lost it! It's this little silver charm with a crescent moon covered in sparkles—like, tiny shiny stones—and there's a cat sitting in the moon, reaching up for a dangly star. The star had this glowing blue stone in the middle, kind of magical looking, you know? It is so pretty and unique...ugh, I'm so mad at myself!", Liora explained nervously.

Ash sighed and put her hand on Liora's shoulder. "Don't worry, we'll find it."

"I usually never fly without it," Liora admitted, her voice quieter than before. "I have a terrible fear of flying, you see." She didn't know why she felt so comfortable telling this to a stranger; sharing this kind of vulnerability didn't come easily, but the loss of her lucky charm had shaken her usual defences.

The doorbell rang again, and they both looked up. It was the old man leaving the store. Then they looked at Mathieu, who gave Liora a puzzled look. He knew she struggled with admitting her fears, so naturally, he was surprised and asked curious: "Oh hello. Do you know each other?"

The two women exchanged smiles, sharing a brief moment of camaraderie. "No, not really. Mathieu, this is Ash. Ash, this is Mathieu, the owner of the best bookstore in France", said Liora.

Mathieu and Ash smiled and shook hands. Ash turned back to Liora and said softly: "If we want to find your charm, we should track down your steps. I bet we can find it."

"Absolutely! You two go look for the charm, and I'll keep working," Mathieu said enthusiastically. Then, as if remembering something important, he added, "Liora, when's your flight again?" His tone carried a hint of concern, reminding his friend that time was running short.

Said friend gasped, her stomach dropped. "Merde!", and with a quick look to the clock, she continued: "It's in three hours. I have to be at the airport in one."

Ash quickly stepped in, her calm energy contrasting with Liora's rising panic. "Okay, deep breaths. Let's retrace your steps and ask around. Where did you go before the bookstore?"

Liora pressed a hand to her forehead, trying to recall. "Uh... I stopped at the Café Lumière d'Étoile for tea, then the local gift shop - oh! I put my bag down at the park to take a photo of the fountain." Her eyes widened. "It might've fallen out there!"

Ash nodded. "The park's not far. We'll go there, and after that we'll check the café and the gift shop." She hesitated, looking at Mathieu. "Unless you have a better idea?"

He shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips. "Sounds like you've got it covered." Then he turned to his childhood friend, Liora, and added "Looks like I won't see you again today. Remember to check in when you're back in town, and text me when you find your charm. Love you, sweetheart." With his last sentence he reached out to hug her and give her a small kiss on the forehead.

"Oh my, I almost forgot the books", Liora exclaimed, as she already reached for her coat.

Mathieu chuckled. "Let me do that, you two put on your jackets." He grabbed the books and started to enter the details in the cash register.

Said and done, the two women put on their coats, then Mathieu handed each of them a bag with their newly bought books. They paid, then waved a last time to Mathieu.

"Au revoir."

Then they left the store.

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Outside in the rain, Liora and Ash both put their hood on. The rain soaked through their hoods, but the quiet between them created a certain intimacy as they walked to the park.