Andelbert shall take the narrative for this part of the story.

I rose and made my way to the kitchen to teach my unenthusiastic pupils how to bake my special bread. Fortunately, one chef was keenly interested and made the lesson less of a chore. Afterward, I set out to find the market square in the village of Versailles.

I traveled along the main road, past the royal stables, and several shops. When I came to a crossroads, I wasn’t sure which direction to go. I looked around and saw an elderly man wearing a beret sitting at a café table reading a book, so I asked him where the town market was located.

“Take the road to your left, and you can’t miss it,” he replied.

“Merci.”

A short walk later, I came to a large open square with vendors surrounding it on all sides, and several carts in the middle. Every kind of meat, vegetable, and cheese imaginable was available for purchase. I could not locate Maria in the square, so I ventured down one of the streets leading into the square.

I passed several wine shops and then saw a pastry shop with fantastic pastries in the window. I had never seen such creativity in pastry. These were no ordinary treats, they were edible works of art. I was enchanted and went inside.

The variety of sweets was impressive. I had hoped to talk to one of the pastry chefs about their creations, but they were far too busy. Not surprisingly. As I stood there admiring the pastries, I felt a hand take my arm.

“There you are,” Maria said.

“Oh. Forgive me. I couldn’t find you in the square, and I am afraid I got side-tracked by the pastries.”

“Most people do. They are delicious.”

“And so creative.”

“Yes, they are as beautiful to look at as they are delicious to eat.”

“Will you help me choose?”

“Of course.”

After Maria helped me select two pastries, I paid for them, and we left the pastry shop and headed down the road. Maria had a basket full of food she had purchased at the square.

“I had hoped to purchase our lunch,” I said when I noticed the basket of food.

“Do not concern yourself. The pastries were the most expensive items.”

I pulled a handkerchief containing two thick slices of bread from my coat and said, “I also managed to sneak out some bread from today’s lessons,”

“Well done. I hear it is bread fit for a King.”

“That is the rumor.”

Maria laughed and hooked her arm around mine. I felt as though my heart would explode with happiness.

We walked to the end of the village where a small park was located. Maria spread out a blanket and began removing items from the basket. She had purchased thin slices of ham, a small block of cheese, and a baguette.

“Had I known you were bringing bread, I would have skipped the baguette,” Maria said.

“On the contrary, I have eaten far too much of my own bread. It will be nice to eat something different.”

“Then it wasn’t a waste, after all. I am glad.”

We enjoyed a leisurely lunch. The food tasted wonderful, and the pastries were superb. After we finished the last of the food, Maria, surprisingly, began to sing.

My love brought me flowers, he picked in the wild

“They pale to your beauty,” he said, then he smiled

“My love, you are untamed, you’re free like the birds

Your flowers are lovely, and so are your words

“Sing with me, Andelbert,” Maria said.

“I haven’t sung since I was a boy. And I am afraid I do not know the song. But I am trying to learn the violin.”

“Ah, wonderful. You can play, and I can sing.”

“It will be some time before I have the skill necessary for that.”

“I can wait.”

While said in the joy of the moment, Maria’s words came as a blow to my heart. I knew there would not be enough time. For Britpop and I would surely return home at some point.

Maria noticed the look on my face and said, “Have I offended you?”

“Not in any way. I was only reminded that someday I will have to leave France and return home. And I will miss it dearly. As I will miss you.”

Maria smiled a soft smile and said, “Save those worries for another day and let’s enjoy today. Sing with me. I will teach you the words.”