“Don’t worry, the teacher knows how to use that to her advantage.”

Hearing her say that makes me wish it was five o’clock already.

“How would you feel about having the kids over for brunch on Saturday? This would mean that Ben stays over the weekend.”

“Of course.” Instantly, nerves coil in the pit of my stomach.

“Are you sure?” she asks, perhaps picking up on the nerves in my voice.

“I can’t wait to meet your children, Camille.” I might be nervous, but I’m also very curious.

“They can’t wait to meet you.” I still wonder how that conversation between Camille and her children went. When she came back from Sydney and told them about the woman she’d met on the last stop of her travels. Surely, they must have asked a million questions, even wondered about their mother’s sanity. I’m not entirely sure that Camille isn’t holding back a few details for my sake and for theirs—not wanting to alarm me and not wanting to paint her kids in a negative light. I guess I’ll soon find out.

“It’s a date then.”

“I might swing by Flo’s after work. I haven’t seen Emma all weekend. Would you like to come?”

“Er, yes. Of course.” I can hardly say no. And maybe it’s a good idea to meet both kids separately. That would give them less chance to gang up on their mother’s unexpected lesbian lover.

“If you could make your way to the Porte des Ternes around five thirty, I’ll pick you up there.”

We chat some more, Camille telling me about how slow the hours are progressing at work today and me talking about my walk, then ring off.

I look at my watch. I’ll be meeting her daughter in a few short hours. It used to be that meeting the parents was the biggest deal after encountering a new partner, but with Camille’s parents no longer alive, it’s her offspring. I start walking a little faster to burn off the nerves.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Flo is holding her month-old baby tightly clutched to her chest when she lets us into her apartment. Just before we rang the bell, Camille, looking a spot nervous herself, said she had a key but thought it better not to use it today.

As soon as she sees Emma, all the tension seems to drain from Camille’s body and she gets that soft grand-parental expression on her face that’s all about the new baby in her life.

“Viens ici mon petit boutchou.” She holds her hands out to the baby and Flo dutifully hands her over. Only then does Camille introduce us—as though it’s a mere afterthought that I’m here as well.