Following the Dream by Harriet Steel

Author:Harriet Steel
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: 'coming of age, family saga, french, paris, european'
Publisher: Harriet Steel

Chapter 19

I worked harder than I had done in all my life over the following months: harder even than I had when I worked for Madame Roche. Then, the work had taxed my body but now it taxed my mind too. There were so many things to think about. The houses must be turned into clean and welcoming homes for the families we were to take in. Arrangements must be made for suitable work for the women and for schooling for the older children.

One aspect, however, took care of itself. I hadn’t been sure how we would find women who needed help, but they found us. Soon, every corner of the houses was filled and much as it wrenched my heart to do so, I had to turn people away. My consolation was the happiness of seeing rage and pain fade from the faces of the women we were able to admit, and, best of all, watching their children learn how to play and smile.

True to her word, Madame Roche soon found work for two of our women. Both of them already had the skills she required and had been in paid work until illness and bad luck had snatched away their livelihoods. Madame Roche refused to accept any money for giving them a place.

One summer afternoon, I decided to visit her to make sure that she was still happy with the situation.

It was a fine day, suffused with that magical Parisian light that lends charm to the dingiest of districts. As usual, I had taken a fiacre rather than attract attention with one of our own carriages and I told the driver to wait for me in the street.

With regret, I left the sunshine behind and started to climb the stairs to Madame Roche’s apartment. The dun-coloured paint on the walls was peeling and in spite of the warm day outside, there was an air of damp. Not for the first time, I wished Madame Roche would agree to let me help her move to somewhere nicer, but I knew the answer.

On the small landing at the top of the last flight of stairs, I paused to look out of the narrow window. Madame Roche always kept its glass polished but it only let in a dim light, for the wall of the neighbouring building was too close to allow the sunshine to penetrate.

I’d just raised my hand to knock when the door opened. I took an abrupt step backwards and clutched the banister to steady myself. The years fell away as Marie and I faced each other. Her face was gaunter than I remembered and the skin that had been fair and fine textured looked sallow and lined. A voluminous cloak made of some drab material swathed her from neck to ankle.

She eyed me guardedly. ‘Hello, Anna. I don’t suppose you expected to find me here.’

‘I didn’t, but I’m glad to see you.’

A wan smile banished the chill from her expression. ‘It’s been a long time. You look well.

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