I'll See You in Paris by Michelle Gable

Author:Michelle Gable
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781466880962
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Forty

BASIL’S WATCHES & SUCH

BANBURY, OXFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND

NOVEMBER 2001

Annie stood at the counter, staring down at the luggage tag in her right hand, a cluster of cassette tapes in her left.

James E. Seton. Paris.

Gus had never mentioned the J in “J. Casper Augustine Seton” stood for James. Granted, Annie cared far more about what happened between Win and Pru than the details behind their given names, but Gus’s ongoing fact embargo needled. It was another hidden tidbit, a plot point withheld.

“Hello, miss, can I help you?”

A man bumbled out from behind a mauve curtain.

“Oh, hello there.” Annie slid the tag back into her pocket and extended a hand over the counter. He stared at it with suspicion. “My name is Annie Haley.”

She let her arm drop back to the counter, hand untouched.

“Anyway,” she said. “Nicola Teepers gave me your contact information. I’m in possession of some damaged audiocassette tapes.”

As Annie pushed the cartridges forward, they squeaked against the glass.

“She thought you might be able to repair them,” she said.

The man, who was reed-legged but round across the middle, twisted his mouth in confusion. And who could blame him? They were in a clock shop and she was handing him a pile of broken tapes.

“Right,” Annie said and dragged them back toward her. “I can see where this would be a crazy place to come. I must’ve misunderstood. Well, have a splendid day. Cheers!”

“Stop.”

He grabbed her hand. His fingers felt cold and dry.

“I can help you,” he said.

“Really?”

She slipped out of his hold, then glanced at a cuckoo on the wall. The poor bird was getting himself stuck each time he tried to exit the doors.

“We’re mostly watches in this shop,” the man said. “And clocks. But I do the odd job here and there.”

He pulled a magnifying glass from his shirt pocket and studied each tape.

“I think I can fix these,” he said.

“That’s terrific news!”

Annie smacked her hands together, which sent the cuckoo once again spiraling out of its hole.

“I do appreciate it,” she told the man as he shook his head wearily. “You see, I’m a researcher and trying—”

“It’ll take about a week.”

“A week? Mister … I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name. Are you … might you be the eponymous Basil?”

“Sir. You can call me sir.”

“Mister, uh, sir. I’m grateful for your help but I don’t have a week. You see, I’m from the States.”

“You don’t say.”

“I have to go back. Soon. I’m not sure when, exactly, but most likely within the next few days.”

“And the town shall weep,” he said. “I’ll try my best to fix them sooner. No promises, though. You’re not the only thing I have going on.”

“Got it. Thank you for doing what you can. You can reach me at the Banbury Inn. The name’s Annie Haley. Do you need to write it down?”

The man stared at her tiredly, one of his eyes wandering off in some other direction.

“I see,” she said. “Well, I’ll check back in a few days. Thanks again!”

He was already gone, evaporated behind his mauve curtain.

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