‘This is incredible.’ I shook my head, still not quite believing that I was here. ‘Paris is so beautiful.’
‘It is one of my favourite cities.’
‘So how’s it all going with your app?’ I said. I’d tried to ask him a few times about it but never really got anywhere, so I was hoping that this time he’d elaborate. ‘I expect it’s a lot of work trying to get that off the ground.’
‘It certainly was not easy.’
‘Now, it was a long time ago, but if my memory is any good, it was an app to help you find your favourite things when you’re away from home, right?’
Gabriel’s eyes widened.
‘You remembered?’
‘Looks like I did!’ I said, relieved that I had. ‘You used to talk so passionately about it. You said you got the idea when you were with a friend at uni in France who was desperate to find somewhere that stocked their favourite fizzy drink, right? I think they were American and they wanted some root beer? Or was it cream soda?’
‘You are right – it was root beer.’
‘And a British friend had just got back from a trip where they couldn’t find any orange squash or Ribena in any Spanish supermarkets.’
‘I am impressed,’ Gabriel smiled.
‘Phew! See, you’re not the only one who remembers things from our conversations! So how is it going? Is it doing well? I wouldn’t have much need for that app seeing as I never venture out of London, but I’m sure there must be a load of people who would love something like that.’
‘Oui.’ He nodded gently, still without elaborating. Maybe he didn’t like to talk about his work whilst he was on holiday. I think I’d read somewhere that French people frowned on talking about business in social situations, but it was probably just a stereotype. Everyone was different, but if Gabriel had wanted to chat more about it, I guessed he would’ve.
I was just about to ask for the name of his app so that I could look it up when the waiter brought out the first course – a French onion soup which was so delicious, I was tempted to lick the bowl.
As we devoured our starters then the main course, which was a fancy slow-cooked duck dish that I think was called Confit de Canard and of course was absolutely divine, I took in the beautiful sights of Paris.
We passed the Louvre, Place de la Concorde as well as sailing under multiple stunning bridges.
Then, just after we’d finished dessert (I’d chosen the Crème Brûlée – I was in France after all, so it had to be done), Gabriel pointed to the window.
‘I think that you are going to like what you are about to see.’ A warm smile spread across his face.
As I followed his gaze, my jaw dropped.
There in all its glory was the Eiffel Tower.
It was bathed in golden light highlighted by what must be thousands of glittering spotlights which made it sparkle like it’d been decorated with diamonds.
There was also a beacon at the top of the tower that emitted a rotating blue beam which shone across the city, reflecting on the river and the surroundings.
‘Oh my God! This is what I’ve been waiting to see. It’s stunning!’
‘Come.’ Gabriel dropped his napkin on the table. ‘Let us go outside to get a better look.’
He didn’t need to ask me twice. I literally flew out of my seat and followed him out onto the deck.
‘This is the light show,’ Gabriel said. ‘It happens every hour after sunset and lasts for five minutes each time.’
‘It’s magical!’ I said, still not quite believing that this iconic structure was there, right in front of me.
‘We have to take photos,’ Gabriel said, pulling out his phone and holding it up for a selfie.
I smiled as Gabriel took some serious photos and some funny ones of us together with the tower as our backdrop.
To free up my hands for some different poses including ones that made me gesture towards the tower like I was a hostess on a shopping channel, I put my handbag on the deck.
