There were 674 steps to the viewing platform and 1,665 steps to the top. Marty knew that. It was 1,063 feet tall. Marty knew that too. In fact, he knew everything about it, but being here was an entirely different experience. Gracie was soon out of breath, and Marty’s heart was pounding. Round and round they went, climbing higher and higher. And as they did so, more and more of Paris came into view. You could see for miles, the grids of the blocks, the wide avenues. The landscape punctuated every now and again by towers or churches or mosques. He knew the mechanics of the place. The tower. He knew how it had been put together, but its sum was somehow more than its parts. It was a beautiful thing. It was magnificent. It was alive …

Grandad was waiting for them at the top. He was looking around in awe, almost like you would in a holy place. The sun was setting behind the city, rimming the dark buildings with gold and orange. Marty drew a sharp breath as he stepped out to see the view.

He didn’t actually know what he expected from being here. It had just been a dream. It was like he wanted to be close to something. Find some meaning in something. He stepped forward, and Grandad pulled at Gracie’s arm to give Marty a moment to himself. Marty looked. Thought. He closed his eyes a moment and thought about his mum’s house, he thought about how much he loved her. He thought about how big the world was. He thought too about how alone he used to feel, but it was funny because however much he tried to pull up that feeling now, he just couldn’t do it. He didn’t feel alone. He had Grandad and Gracie, and Mum too, although she wasn’t with him. He thought he might feel a longing for something too, but there was none. No longing, just a taste for adventure. And his dad? Well, thought Marty, he was on his own journey too. Maybe, one day, their paths would cross again. Marty opened his eyes again and turned and smiled. Grandad and Gracie came to stand on either side of him.

“Thanks,” he whispered.

“You’re welcome, my boy,” said Grandad, squeezing his hand.

By the time they made it back to the pumpkin, it was really dark. A full moon was throwing down a path across the dark water. They all stepped into the moored boat, and snuggled under the blankets, knowing that they had a long journey home in the morning. They had the harbor to themselves, as the whole city seemed to have gone to sleep. Grandad opened a thermos of hot chocolate, and they ate some cakes they’d picked up from a bakery on the way back, and they talked and talked until the three were sleepy.

“They call it the City of Light,” said Grandad.

Gracie smiled.