‘That’s even more impressive! How did you know the answers to all of the clues so quickly then?’
‘So far they have been popular landmarks, so it has not been difficult.’
Laila pulled out her phone.
‘This location is the second-highest point in the city,’ she said, reading out the clue we had received at this morning’s briefing. ‘I still don’t know the answer. But don’t tell me. I want it to be a surprise.’
‘D’accord,’ I confirmed. ‘Why did you say that you were used to failing?’
‘Because it’s true.’ Her shoulders slumped. ‘When I was growing up, I had all of these goals and dreams. I was supposed to travel the world.Failed. I was supposed to go to university.Failed. I dreamed of getting a good job. Failed at that too. And when circumstances meant that my path needed to change because I had Ricky, who by the way I adore and I would do anything for, I was determined to be a great mum. But I don’t think I did a very good job with that either. So yeah. I know it sounds silly because this is only the second activity and I won’t be here to even have a chance of winning, but it just feels good to not be losing for a change.’
‘It does not sound silly.’ I went to squeeze her hand to reassure her, but pulled back just in time. ‘But I do think that you are being very hard on yourself. Life rarely follows the path that we plan, but that is all part of the adventure,non?’
‘Adventureis one way of putting it.’ She flashed a half smile.
‘Just because you did not achieve your dream of travelling the world before you became a mother, it does not mean that you have failed. The important thing is that you are doing it now. You are still pursuing your dreams. You are just doing it on a different timeline.’
‘That’s actually a great way of looking at it,’ she nodded.
‘It is never too late to change your job or your life. And as for being a mother, obviously I cannot speak from personal experience?—’
‘No?’ Laila cocked her head playfully, then chuckled.
‘Surprisingly not,’ I grinned. ‘But I remember how hard you worked to give Ricky everything. You are a dedicated and committed mother. That is not always the case.’
My voice trailed off as I thought about how different Laila was to my own mother. Although Laila had regrets about the path her life had taken, I knew that she did not regret having her son. She loved Ricky and gave him everything she could.
In contrast, my mother was never very affectionate and sometimes I felt like an inconvenience. Like having me stopped her from having the life that she wanted.
My father always showed me love and made time for me. He would play football with me in the park on a Sunday even when he was tired because it was his only day of rest.
And despite the fact that I could see that he could barely keep his eyes open after working two jobs, he would still read to me before bed.
That is why when my parents divorced, choosing who I wanted to live with was one of the easiest decisions of my life.
‘Thanks,’ Laila said. ‘It doesn’t feel like I’ve done a good job. Trying to get him to call is like getting blood out of a stone.’
‘That is normal. Ricky is a grown man now. You have done your best to teach him right and wrong. Now he wants you to allow him to live his life.’
‘You’re right. He’ll always be my baby though. I’d do anything for him.’
‘I know,’ I said.
‘We are here,’ Daphné’s voice boomed from the speaker.
‘Oh, wow!’ Laila pressed her face against the window like a child who had just spotted Santa Claus for the first time. ‘That’s Sacré-Cœur, right?’
‘Oui.’ I stepped out of the car as Daphné opened Laila’s door.
‘I’ve always wanted to come here!’
At the bottom of the steps, Lisette was there waiting, ready to stamp our Love Passports.
Once we’d had them stamped, I turned to face Laila.
‘There are two hundred and twenty steps,’ I said. ‘Would you like to climb them or take the Funicular?’
‘Climb them!’ Laila said without hesitation. ‘I need to find a way to work off all the good food I’ve been eating. I’ve only been here two days and I swear the size of my bum has already doubled!’ She laughed.
