Aurelia's Future Determined
Avoiding Alex
Friday would be the last day of Aurelia's holiday. It had delivered at the last, but could not be permitted to affect her university plans. She knew that Friday would be painful enough whether or not she saw Alex. It was better to avoid him. She made a successful long distance phone call. Then she wrote him a note and slipped it behind the criss-crossed elasticated tapes on the guests' message board in Reception.
She asked the receptionist for flight information. The receptionist was assistance personified, once Aurelia had explained her requirement.
Leaving the desk having accomplished her objective, Aurelia passed Alex going into breakfast. Seeing him was awkward since she was in effect running away from him and towards her future. Her heart fluttered as their eyes met. "Hi Alex!" she said, forcing her voice to sound normal. She gave him a quick peck on the cheek then explained, "I've left you a note. I'm going out for the day. Enjoy the last day of your holiday."
She gave him her best smile then quickly left, forestalling any questions. She could feel his eyes following her, sense his disappointment. She doubted that he was ogling her bottom or her flowing blonde locks. She guessed he would simply be regretting her walking away from him, perhaps forever.
Her trip was arranged on impulse, designed to distract her mind from Alex and occupy it with something of longer term relevance. Armed with her passport, she took a taxi and headed for the island airport. Within an hour she was airborne, flying to Paris. She had dressed in her most respectable dress and a cardigan.
Her heart pounded as the aircraft descended through light cloud to reveal Paris laid out beneath her. She felt no joy, only emptiness and trepidation.
To her surprise, there was an agent with a sign bearing her name as she emerged from arrivals at Charles de Gaulle airport.
She shook Aurelia's hand and said, « Bonjour Mademoiselle, le professeur a mis une voiture pour vous »
So, Professor Briand had laid on a car to take her to the university. She wondered why, then recalled that she had had to supply a copy of her passport with her application. Perhaps for the first time in the history of international travel documents, her passport photo was one that did not lie. Her photograph accurately reflected her beauty. She remembered the enthusiasm with which she had posed for the photographer who took her picture. He had to warn her not to smile, and took several before he was satisfied with the results. The
professeur
must have seen her photograph and studied it closely; perhaps taken a keen interest in it.
So, Eugène Briand was probably a ladies' man.
The Sorbonne had asked her to confirm which course she wished to study since it was developing its academic programme and diversifying in her chosen field of study. She had spoken to Professor Briand by telephone in broken French. He was thankfully bilingual and offered to advise her on how to proceed, if she was willing to go to Paris to meet him. So when she telephoned him the previous evening he had welcomed her without any due notice. That suggested a keenness that perhaps went further than academic interest.
Her driver, Yvonne, was a graduate who was pursuing a postgraduate qualification under Professor Briande's tutelage. She introduced herself, then proceeded with an essential briefing whilst she drove.
"The Université de la Sorbonne is in the Latin Quarter, one of the oldest parts of Paris. You will enjoy it there, which is an
arrondissement
well-tuned to student life. I can see why Eugène is setting out his stall for you - you see, I have a grasp of colloquial English. You are very beautiful. He likes such women, and tends to favour them."
Aurelia's heart quickened. Her suspicions were right. Was she prepared for this?Her
"Should I seek his favour?"
Yvonne laughed. Even before Yvonne replied Aurelia knew that her beautiful chauffeuse had been one of his former protégés.
Yvonne was both attractive and elegant. She had style and poise, which probably indicated a background of wealth and privilege. She was conscious of the beautiful blonde studying her.
"I think you have guessed that I am in his favour. But I have moved on from that relationship. Are you shocked?"
"Er, no, I don't think so; just surprised at the subject coming up quite so quickly. But why should I seek his favour?"
"Eugène is brilliant, and renowned in his general field of research, which is psychology. His specialism is clinical psychology, which is why he wants to counsel you and tempt you to opt for his options within the general course of study. The course programme begins as generic, but the sooner you select your options, the quicker you can proceed.
"Eugène has his favourites, both male and female, and not necessarily driven by his ardour. But I suspect that he will be unable to resist you. So, you must decide what you want to do. So tell me, why did you choose the Sorbonne?"
"To get away from England, I suppose. And my father thought that it would be best for me to discover new horizons."
Aurelia's mind was spinning by the time they arrived at a large and grand building in the baroque style that was obviously old and occupying a dominant position in that quarter of the city. Yvonne gave her walking directions, then apologised for leaving her. "I must find somewhere to park my car and the Professor is anxious to meet you. The university is
en vacance
, but graduates and some teaching staff work during the holidays."
A porter led Aurelia across an expansive quadrangle enclosed on all sides by an exquisite neo-Renaissance building, then through a maze of corridors and across a grand courtyard to the Professor's study. He rose from his desk to come and meet her as she entered, introducing himself.
"Je suis Professeur Briande. We shall converse today in English, though you will have to increase your proficiency in French as well. I know you have studied it academically, but you must develop an ear for the language. The sooner you acclimatise yourself, the better it shall be for both of us."
Eugène was a charming and handsome man, though he looked typically French rather than British. He wore a lightweight buff linen jacket over a cream linen shirt and grey corduroy trousers. He was late thirties or early forties, but well preserved, with an athletic figure and a mop of dark hair. He smelt of mannish eau de cologne.
They had an easy-going conversation over strong, dark coffee, about her family, her academic and other interests, and about what she wanted from her university education. Naturally he steered her towards his particular field of study for her options. Finally, after answering her questions, he stood up.
The interview apparently over, Aurelia rose as well.
"And now,
ma chérie
, we should have lunch. If we stroll towards the Seine, there is an abundance of restaurants and cafés which cater especially for us impoverished academics and students. It is a beautiful day and I shall delight in your equally beautiful company."
The restaurant he chose was quiet. He explained. "The
rive gauche
is less favoured by tourists. It is one of Paris's best kept secrets: a youthful atmosphere, good value dining, and much the preserve of the universities, artists and scholars."
It was quite small, with small round tables and typical bistro style chairs, which were uncomfortable to sit on for too long. "They are cheap and stylish, and guaranteed to persuade you to leave after not too long, and make room for new customers."
Eugène ordered escargots in garlic followed by a steak. Aurelia was content with steak in a pepper sauce and frites. Her senses dulled with red wine, she found herself falling for the professor's charms. When he announced, "We have to get you back to the airport, for which I shall find you a taxi, but I make the best coffee in Paris. We should catch the metro.