My name is Jacques, but most people call me Jack, and being a tour guide in Old Quebec never had any advantages, until now. Quebec is a city everybody should visit once in their lives, not just for the following reason.
My latest group of tourists had the usual blend of older folks, families and college students. As I scanned the group before introducing myself I noticed a striking brunette standing in the back of the group. She locked eyes with me, and I froze like a deer in bright light. I was aroused from my gaze by one of the older women in the group who asked when we were going to start the tour. I began our walking tour; talking about the local area being founded by the French in the 1600's and I kept finding myself gazing to the back at the brunette I'd seen earlier. Most often I caught her gazing around, drinking in the sights and sounds of the city. Sometimes she seemed intent on my tour. After so many I tended to run on, as if on tape.
We started through the small side streets in the upper city, with the artists worked on their paintings and sketches. The small outdoor cafes offered up their fare, and I decided to call a break for lunch at one alley full of cafes, shops and artist booths. As the people broke up I looked back to find the lady I had spied earlier was missing in the crowd. I poked my head into one of the cafes to get a cup of coffee from Lou, the owner. He likes the fact that I break up the tour in front of his shop at lunch time. I haven't bought a cup of coffee in a year.
I walked out to see if I could find my lovely traveler among the people. I wandered around only to find my group had dispersed, one lady was asking an artist how much a sketch he'd done would cost ever so slowly as if he didn't understand English. I find that humorous because Canadians have to learn English in school. It only feels like you've traveled to Europe when you're here. As I walked down the alley I noticed my dark eyed beauty sitting for a sketch artist. I walked up behind the artist, and saw her hand sweeping back and forth across the paper making marks and sweeping her fingers through the marks as she filled in the face. I smiled as the subject looked up at me carefully so as not to move for the artist. The artist picked up a different color and filled in the dark violet of her lips and eye shadow. A highlight up her cheeks and a few rubs to smooth it out. In a matter of minutes a terrific portrait of the eye-catching beauty was finished.
"Tout fini", the artist said.
"Combien coûte-t-il?" To my surprise the lady asked the artist in French.
They settled on a price and the artist covered the print with tissue paper and bagged it for her. As she got up I asked her if she was from Quebec. She said, "No, I'm from New York actually." I asked her if she was interested in some lunch, and she smiled and asked if I always hit on women in the group. Nonplussed I replied, "Only the truly stunning ones." She had the grace to blush. I introduced myself, and she told me her name was Alyssa.
I walked her down the alley into a small square where there was a small stone cottage right from out of history. She looked around and asked where I was taking her, and I showed her the cottage.
She lifted an eyebrow to me, "Your place?"
I laughed and said, "No, Les Vieux Canadiens is an 18th century replica restaurant. It's very authentic."
We walked in, and the hostess was dressed in period costume, and led us to a small table in front of a fireplace which wasn't lit, as it was a warm spring day. She looked at the menu and asked about some of the dishes. I recommended a few, and ordered the same. After a little light conversation I found she was a book editor from New York on vacation and wanted a foreign feel, without the foreign price tag. I laughed because she came to the right place.
After lunch, I paid the check and we left and I took a different alley as she looped her free arm inside mine as we walked. We came back to the area where I left the group and, in an odd behavior common among tourists, they had recollected into a group by themselves. Alyssa rejoined the group and I got their attention as we moved on with the tour. A few hours later we were back at the start on the boardwalk. People were starting do disperse and others were thanking me for a nice day, as I tried to find my way to Alyssa. I began to look around in earnest only to turn and find her standing behind me.
She had a little smirk on her face, "Looking for someone?" It was my turn to blush. "How does one find the nightlife in Quebec?" she asked.
I told her if she would like I could give her the insiders tour, and asked her where she was staying. She turned and pointed at a little bed and breakfast across the park.
"Pick me up at 8?" She said as she smiled.
I headed back to my apartment and changed into something a little more appropriate for a night out. I found myself remembering her remark, actually I don't usually mix business with pleasure, but then she isn't the average tourist.
I entered the lobby of the B&B only to realize I didn't know which room or Alyssa's last name. The lady at the desk looked up at me, and said,
"Your lady will be right down Monsieur."
I was surprised; I didn't expect to be expected. A few minutes later Alyssa appeared at the top of the stairs she was wearing a burgundy dress that hugged her every curve. Her hair had been brushed out and pinned back, and she had a jacket over her arm. I'm not sure if my mouth was hanging open, but it should have been. She descended slowly, or maybe it was I who was caught in a time warp. She was beautiful beyond expectation. I found myself looking at her, she was in front of me now, and I realized much to my chagrin that I was caught staring.
She blushed, and took my arm as I offered, and we walked out into the cool evening. We hadn't made it a few steps and she offered her coat to me, and I held it for her to don.
"So where is it you're taking me?" she asked.
I told her that I thought dinner at the Chateau Frontenac might be a nice start and then there's a club that I know of called Le Club Aviatic, the Aviator's Club. As we walk you could see the horse-drawn calèches plying the cobbled streets of the old city. After an incredible dinner, wine, and conversation I felt that I had become lost in Alyssa's charm. I realized that I didn't mind either.
We walked out of the Chateau and I walked over to a calèche driver and asked him for a ride over to the club, he agreed with a nod. I helped her up into the carriage and joined her. As soon as I sat, the driver flicked the reins and we were moving through the streets of old Quebec. I looked at Alyssa and she moved closer, and I found myself falling into her, leaning towards her as she moved to me, and our lips met softly but urgently.