Red Writers

Chapter 2

The next day, I got up around 9am as usual. I went downstairs to have breakfast under the shining sun. I ate pancakes with maple syrup, which is the specialty of Canadians. I went up to my upstairs room and started packing my bags for the Montreal bus station. I left in fear of being late. I arrived at the station and saw that my bus was announced for an hour in advance. At around a quarter to 11 am, they took the passengers on board. So I sat down in the back of the vehicle near the window. I had a 2 hour drive. Just as the bus was about to start, an elderly lady came and sat on the next bench.

-Ah, but I know you! You are the famous pianist Mr. Ellis, aren't you?

-Yes it's me indeed ... Although I'm not that famous, I said embarrassed.

-But if! My husband and I listen to you every night before we go to sleep, she said.

-You see me very flattered ... At that precise moment I felt somewhat desperate, as I had just learned that my audience was mostly old people.

-Where are you going in January? she asked me.

-I'm going to a friend's chalet in Saint-Agathe-of-Monts. And you?

- What a coincidence I'm also going to this same village! I live there with my husband Albert.

-I'm such an idiot! I didn't even ask you for your first name.

-It's okay, come on, she replied. My name is Josephine, Josephine Gutenberg.

-It's a pretty name, I say without thinking.

-Thank you, if you allow me, I will doze off a bit because I have a migraine. This happens to me very frequently. Do not worry.

- So do dear madam. Following this conversation, I in turn slept. I woke up suddenly to the sound of the microphone announcing the stop of Sainte-Agathe-of-Monts.

-Good evening Mrs. Gutenberg, I hope we will meet again.

- Device for me, Mr. Ellis. I walked over to the address Emily had left me. To my surprise, Madame Gutenberg followed closely behind me. I was amazed to see that after ten minutes of walking she still followed me. Suspecting his intentions, I hurried down the narrow, rocky path. She did the same. After another ten minutes spent walking in the dark woods, I finally asked her where she planned to go.

-Where are you going Mrs. Gutenberg?

-I'm going home obviously ...

-You go there by this path?

-Yes, I'm at the intersection of Landman Street and August path.

-This will sound very curious, but I'm also going to the same place.

-Ah, but I just understood! You are the guest of my neighbour, Mademoiselle Deslières!

-Yes it's me.

-So we'll be neighbours!

-I suppose.

- What an honour sir to have you among us!

-I'm afraid to disturb Emily, I said looking at my watch, it's only 1:30 p.m. and she was expecting me at 2 to 2:30 p.m. -It does not matter so come to us!

- I don't want to bother you with my luggage.

-But no, you will leave them at the entrance and you will not disturb us at all! she said warmly.

-Okay, I accept.

I had the vague impression that someone was watching us but couldn't be sure, I left chatting with Madame Gutenberg towards her house, a little worried but quickly forgot. I left my suitcases at the entrance. At first glance everything looked quite normal. On the other hand, everything seemed strange and misplaced. Madame Gutenberg led me to her husband Albert.

-Albert guess who I ran into on the bus?

-I don't know my dear, he said somewhat annoyed.

-Mr Charles Ellis!

-The Parisian?

-But yes! The one we listen to every night!

- Yes yes I see who you are talking about Josephine ... he said visibly exasperated of his wife.

-Here it is! At that point, I walked into the room and noticed several photos of a young man taken a long time ago. We chatted for about an hour before I decided to ask them who this mysterious young man pictured was.

-Who is this boy in these photographs? I asked. Is it your son or a member of your family? "No," they answered in unison.

-We don't know him ...

-Why do you have so many pictures of him then? I asked them.

-I've no idea! Josephine, were you the one who posted these pictures of this young man?

-No honey, it's not me ...

- Thank you for your hospitality, but I have to leave now... I said, presenting the lie in these photographs.