Amelie, a small rotund lady greying long auburn hair, piercing blue eyes, and olive skin showing the effects of time, wearing a white short sleeved cotton blouse, black knee-length straight skirt, black nylons, and patent leather court shoes.
Closing the Café du Marche on Rue de la Martainville, Amelie heads upstairs to make her and Michelle their evening meal. Looking out onto the street she feels a warm hand on her shoulder so comforting, the same one she felt twenty years earlier to this day, the 23 July, John's touch, like no other, as her mind spans the years.
'Where are you John, coming back?'
Glancing around, but there is no one behind her. Raising her hand to her mouth as she sees a shape form in the room mirror, the brown eyes and smiling face of Michelle's father look back at her.
'You are close by, my love,' her eyes welling with tears.
The vision fades, leaving Amelie feeling unsure as to what this means. Her mind casts back the twenty years. A small chubby girl then, her blue eyes sparkled, golden tanned skin, auburn hair held back in a ponytail, sporting a cream mono heart curved collar blouse with three-quarter length sleeves and a black mini skirt with matching black tights and patent leather court shoes on that night of passion with an Englishman. Her heart was taken by him and leaving her with their child. She worked at the hotel for as long as she could. Amelie lived in the attic of a Café du Marche which was owned by a mature English lady, Bernadette. She agreed to allow a rent-free period when Amelie had the child, and, in return, Amelie worked in the café as a cook and waitress, Bernadette acting as her granny.
Bernadette, the café owner was originally from England, having moved to France to following love which sadly vanished, but she adored the people and bought the small café. She befriended Amelie who often helped on her days off from her job, treating her like the daughter she never had. When Amelie's mother was taken ill and died suddenly, she let Amelie live with her above the café. Bernadette had a son who lived in England. Amelie heard her talking to him from time to time on the phone.
Bernadette was particularly generous to Amelie, eventually gifting the café to her when she became too old and frail to manage it. Michelle had blossomed into a younger version of Amelie and followed in her footsteps by gaining a job at the hotel where Amelie had started. All this time never knowing her father. Amelie was content, always hoping John would return, but the years had passed John never appearing.
~~~~~~~
All those years ago John had visited his mother Bernadette at the Café to see her the morning after leaving the hotel. As he arrives at the Café his heart jumped seeing Amelie leaving for work.
'Oh god she is the girl Mother mentioned,' he thinks.
Now John is unsure knowing his mother's circumstances. His father, who he never knew, having a one-night stand with his mum, leaving her destitute with him to look after. It had made her very bitter and distrusting of men. If she thought, he would do the same.
'What should I do,' he worried.
Plucking up the courage and knowing his mum was expecting him he walked into the café.
"Mum where are you," He calls out.
"John, John is that you?" Bernadette calls out.
"Yes, mum I said would call by," John smiling brightly.
"Where did you stay last night?" Bernadette asks.
John feels slightly unsettled by his mum's steely gaze.
"The Nouvtel du Sud on the Rue," he is interrupted.
"So, it was you."
"What do you mean," John says meekly.
"Amelie lives with me and last night she spoke in her sleep of the passion she had with an Englishman," Bernadette scorns.
John looks down on the floor his worst nightmare realised, the wrath of his mother.
"You of all people know what I think about one-night flings. Good god your wife and family back home. You should be ashamed of yourself." Bernadette spits out.
"But but..." John stammers.
"Don't if she falls pregnant then you will support her, and I will care for her. You will never see her again."
John is crestfallen knowing the hold his mother has over him financially and without that, his life would be in ruins.
"Yes, mum I understand."
John leaves the cafe hoping one day to see Amelie again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Michelle sits watching John as they eat their meal in the room,
"I can see why mama fell in love with you."
"You are so like your mother, Michelle, how is the ...?" John stops himself thinking,
'She will not know about my connection.'
"Pardon how is the?" Michelle looks puzzled.
"I meant, where is Amelie, your mum, now?"
"Oh, she has a café on Rue da la Martainville, I live there and help out on my off days." Michelle smiles.
"I would love to see her one last time." John softly says.
"One last time, what do you mean?" Michelle looks hard at John.
Looking back into Michelle's eyes, John whispers,
"To see her again Michelle, can we go tonight?"
"Yes, of course, she will be wondering where I am."
They finish their meal, and Michelle slips on her clothes, feeling excited and unsure about bringing back her father. John phones reception for a taxi, his heart beating hard in anticipation of seeing Amelie again. Holding Michelle's hand, they walk from the hotel, climbing into the back of the taxi, the warm night fragrant with the smell of magnolias.
"Où s'il vous plait?" the driver asks.
"Café du Marche, Rue de la Martainville," Michelle responds.
Michelle cuddles around John's arm, feeling safe, having found her father wondering,
'I hope mama will be pleased with me.'
