One Winter Weekend

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

C harles de Gaulle Airport was bustling with tourists and travellers who were headed out to visit family and friends over the holiday period.

Snow was falling as Emily stepped out of the terminal and into the chilly air.

She shivered slightly at the change in temperature, but the feeling was invigorating and the smile on her face reflected her enthusiasm as she searched for a taxi.

“Madame, you take my card?” a driver encouraged in heavily accented English, handing her a small white card.

“Thank you,” she said reading his name, “Monsieur Babin.”

“Maurice,” he corrected cheerfully as they drove away in his cab. “I show you all the sights of Paris. You just call me, and I will be there,” he said with a snap of his fingers.

“You’re a tour guide too?” she mused smiling.

“In Paris, all taxi drivers are also tour guides. Didn’t you know?”

“No I didn’t, but thanks for telling me.”

“You are staying at a lovely hotel, Madame.”

“Emily.”

“That’s a pretty name,” he replied pleasantly. “The hotel - my wife and I stayed there for our honeymoon. It’s excellent, très excellente ,” he emphasised with a theatrical kiss of his fingers.

It made Emily giggle. Nan would have loved this. “Thanks for letting me know I made a good choice.”

“My pleasure.”

The drive to the hotel was faster than Emily had expected, though she believed Maurice may have had some car racing experience in his past, given the way he drove his taxi.

He pointed out the locations of the Air and Space Museum and the George-Valbon State Park as they drove. Maybe she’d visit them on another trip, but this time round she only wanted to see the city’s more picturesque and romantic spots.

They arrived at the hotel, and Emily was delighted to find it even more magnificent in real life than it had been in the online pictures.

The white building, with gold and green accents and a planter box on every window and balcony, was dusted in patches of snow. It was like something from a film set, and the perfect place to spend Christmas week.

The lobby was just as picturesque as the exterior, and decorated in rich purple and gold, it radiated opulence and reminded her of a scene from a classic movie, where everything was so vibrant and alive and reminiscent of times gone by.

An attractive brunette greeted Emily at reception as she approached the front desk. “My name is Angelique and I’m your concierge. How may I assist you today?”

“Emily Richardson, I have a reservation,” she stated as Angelique checked her computer.

“Ah yes, Miss Richardson, I see this is your first time in Paris,” Angelique replied. “And you have reserved one of our finest suites. The views are spectacular,” she assured. “Martin, will take your bags up,” she added, indicating to the porter who was standing nearby.

“Follow me Madame,” he said with a smile, taking the keys from Angelique and heading towards the elevator.

Emily followed, admiring the décor as she went. The hotel again made her feel as if she were in a movie, and the decor of the lobby extended throughout the building. It was like stepping back into a more regal time, with statues and fine art adorning every corner.

Her suite was located on the top floor. She’d wanted the best view and the suite she’d been given didn’t fail. The colour scheme was gold and white, with an elegant but simply designed sitting room and a bedroom to the left. The entire suite was carpeted, and the bed visible from the living room. Emily was excited to find that it looked exactly how she’d seen it online, with the wall canopy adorning the head of the bed.

Martin deposited her bags in her room before wishing her a good day. The moment he was gone Emily walked out onto the balcony to see the view.

Even better than she’d anticipated.

The Eiffel tower stood regally ahead, the Arc de Triomphe to her right and somewhere in between was the Champs-élysées, her intended first stop.

“I should unpack first,” she mused, but knew in her heart she wasn’t going to. She wanted to get out into the city and see everything. It felt as if she had waited a long time for this trip, and she wasn’t about to waste a second of it.

“I’m here Nan - in Paris,” she whispered, wishing her grandmother was in the room with her right now. “I hope you can see this. Isn’t it beautiful?”

She turned back into the bedroom, closing the balcony door behind her as she grabbed a few things and headed out.

This was one of the few times of the year when Emily got to shake off the stress of her job and simply enjoy every day.

Her Nan had always said she needed to do better at enjoying life, so maybe it was time she started.