LOVE PROBABLY

23.

I’ve already almost devoured half a loaf of bread, sometimes with butter and strawberry jam, sometimes with camembert when, despite the music, I hear Romeo barking in the yard. What’s wrong, Romeo? I get up to see what puts him in this state and lower the volume on the way. At the same time, someone knocks on the door. Who is it? I don’t dare answer because I’m not supposed to be where I am. What if it was the upstairs neighbour complaining about the music? Not knowing what to do, I panicked. Fortunately, a familiar voice said:

“Maddie, I know you’re there!" It’s me, Rose.”

Deeply relieved, I threw myself at the door to open it.

“Oh! It’s you! Good morning! I was afraid!”

I find her all dapper, my suitcase in hand. Her styling is perfectly successful. Dressed in a long-sleeved sweater with horizontal blue and white stripes and faux leather leggings, she is simply magnificent: a beautiful old woman.

“Wow! What a look! Like a young girl!” I say, with great enthusiasm.

“Thanks for the compliment!” she said, bowing reverently. “You, on the other hand… But what is this outfit?” she said, eyeing me up and down.

“Uh... It’s that…”

“Can I come in, maybe? Wow, it smells like a circus in here!”

She goes to the window to open it wide, not even caring if I’m going to be cold or not.

“We must air the room, my dear,” she said, taking a deep breath. “In addition, the freshness firms the flesh.”

What’s wrong with my flesh? I thought. Romeo, who until then kept barking, is immediately silent when he sees his mistress at the window.

“Jacky just called me,” she continues. “You exchanged a few messages then nothing more. He asked me to come and see if everything was okay.”

“Oh, he’s so cute to worry about me,” I smirk.

“So, how did your evening end?” she asks, curious. “For you to end up in this outfit... Did you two have... Well, see? You know, at my age, anything unexpected that isn’t medical or mortal should be celebrated... Without wanting to gossip, would you like to satisfy the curiosity of an old lady?”

“Sorry, Rosie, but none of that happened,” I said regretfully.

“Oh damn!” she exclaims, visibly disappointed.

“We talked, that’s all. And then, he’s not free, you probably know that.”

“Yes, I don’t like Leah very much,” she says. “She’s fine where she is, away from him! I’m not sure she makes him very happy.”

“And that?” she asks, pointing to the corpse of the whiskey bottle on the table.

“I drank a little, it’s true…”

“Just a little? I’m your godmother, you can tell me everything…”

“OKAY. I drank a lot, to the point of being ill. I admit it,” I say, ashamed.

“Well done! Your stay in London is off to a good start, my dear. Good, come on! You forget this, I’ll leave you a quarter of an hour to shower and get dressed. You’re in London to discover the city and its wonders. If you want, we could go visit and maybe even do some shopping. I have the impression that this suitcase is very empty and as there are plenty of nice shops in the neighbourhood, this is an opportunity… What do you think?”

“Oh, yes, I’d love to!”

“That’s perfect! I’ll let you prepare. Bring your stuff home. We’ll do laundry.”

“Great and thank you for bringing me my case.”

I clear the table and go to the shower, almost embarrassed to invade the privacy of my tenant. Under hot water, my brain overheats. Life sometimes gives us funny surprises. Yesterday, it was nothingness, zero points on a daily basis. I did nothing but breathe the air that was put in front of me. And then suddenly, a letter arrives and poof, I find myself in London. Since I set foot in this city, every minute has brought its share of discoveries. And now I’m here in a building where my parents once lived. I met an old friend of my mother, my godmother: a lady full of energy who already takes me under her wing. What else will happen to me? Mom, what did you really have in mind with your letter? What do you want from me? What else will I discover? And this Jacky, why does he still live here? Why was the lease not terminated as Mr Chambers mentioned? Do I really want to get this property back? Now that I’ve sympathised with him, isn’t it in my interest that he stays and pays me rent? Oh, so many questions! I had never had to think so much before. It’s steaming in here! In the small shower cubicle, and in my head. It’s time to go out and face the world!