A little short story for Nightwing, lots of love from Santa.
The little café, gaily decorated with holly and mistletoe, was warm and cosy, and rang with the sound of talk and laughter and the tinkle of the doorbell as it rang each time a customer opened the door. Outside, the Champs-Elysees was blanketed with snow that had been trodden down under the feet of hundreds of Christmas shoppers.
At a corner table sat a chic young woman, sipping coffee as she read a long letter, written in the characteristic handwriting of her great chum, one Joey Bettany, formerly of the Chalet School. She was so absorbed in its contents that she didn’t notice another customer enter; a tall, dark-haired young officer, who went up to the counter and ordered coffee and sandwiches, then looked around for an empty table. There were none, but there was a seat opposite the young woman, and he approached her hesitantly.
“Excuse me, Mademoiselle,” he said, “but would you mind if I sat here?”
“Of course not,” she said pleasantly. She moved some of the shopping bags that she had stashed under the table so that there was room for his feet.
“Thank you. My name is André de Bersac, at your service.”
“Simone Lecoutier.” She held out a slim, beautifully-kept hand, and he took it and kissed it. She went fiery red and looked down modestly. “Are you out for some shopping?”
He nodded, gesturing to the few bags he had himself. “Just a few presents for my mother, and some aunts and uncles. I was lucky enough to have some leave over Christmas.”
“Did you get everything you wanted?”
“Most of it,” he said with a grin. “Did you?”
“I bought most of my presents a couple of weeks ago,” she said, privately wondering at herself for being so open with a complete stranger. Yet she couldn’t help it. He seemed to put her completely at ease just by smiling at her. “I was just buying some things I need for when I go to Austria next week for my friend’s wedding. What were you not able to find?”
“I still haven’t found a proper present for my mother. I’ve bought her one or two small things here, but I’ve been away from home for months, and I’d like to buy her something special for when I see her. I’ve plenty of money, but I just can’t find the right thing.”
“Well, what are you looking for?” Simone asked. “Jewellery? Perfume?”
André considered.
“I rather think I’d like to get her a necklace or some earrings,” he said. “But I haven’t seen anything I think she’d like.”
“There’s a little jeweller’s shop just along from here, Ludovic’s. Have you been there? They have some beautiful earrings, and it’s not too expensive.”
“No, I don’t think I’ve seen it,” he said. He hesitated. “Would you perhaps…if you’re not in any hurry…come with me and help me choose something for her?”
Simone looked right into his eyes, and heard herself say; “Yes, of course.”
“Thank you.” He finished his cup of coffee, and she tucked her letter into her pocket as they both rose, picking up their shopping.
A sprig of mistletoe above the table where they had been sitting waved in the gust of wind that blew in as they left the café.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone on the CBB!
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