I stood there, gazing in awe, and found myself praying. “Let them be safe, oh God. Holy Mother, keep them safe. Keep my husband safe. Keep my son safe.” It didn’t seem right to pray for myself, but I hoped that God and the Holy Mother might take that prayer for granted. As I turned to leave I noticed I wasn’t alone. Someone was standing at a side altar, gazing up at the window above. For a second I almost believed I was seeing an angel—and then I realized that the vision in blue and white with long white-blonde hair curling around her shoulders was none other than Ellie, the girl I had met on the ship.

Chapter 19

Nineteen

She was staring, lost in thought or contemplation as a shaft of light fell on her, completely oblivious to my presence or that of anyone else. I went over to her and she started in alarm as she perceived someone beside her.

“Hello,” I said. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

For a second she looked as if she might shy away, like a nervous colt, then her face broke into a smile of recognition. “Why, it’s you. We met on the ship, didn’t we?” she whispered. “How lovely to see you again. Isn’t this glorious? I’ve been coming every day since I arrived and I still can’t get over the beauty of it.”

“It is glorious,” I agreed.

An old woman in black turned to glare at us. We grinned to each other and made our exit. The rain had indeed stopped and a watery sun had appeared between dark clouds.

“So have you been enjoying your freedom in Paris?” I asked, realizing I didn’t know her last name. “I’m afraid I only know you as Ellie, and that wouldn’t be quite proper, would it?”

“Who cares about being proper.” She laughed. “We’re in Paris where nothing is supposed to be proper. Do call me Ellie. My given name is Eleanor May, which I hate. And yours is?”

“Molly Sullivan,” I said. “Please do call me Molly since we’re not required to be formal here.”

She nodded. “In answer to your question I’ve been having an absolutely glorious time, Molly. Enjoying every single moment of it.” She looked around. “Look, I’m going to get some lunch. Will you join me? It’s a lovely city but it’s rather sad to always eat alone.”

“I really shouldn’t,” I said looking around me as the midday crowd crossed to the Right Bank of the river. “I’ve left a woman looking after my baby son.”

I saw her face fall and realized how young she still was. “Do you not have to eat with your chaperone? Or have you managed to escape from her?”