Puzzled

Chapter 2 - episode 11

Chapter Two‘It's just a drop in the ocean

A change in the weather

I was praying that you and I might end up together.’

- Ron Pope, A Drop in The Ocean   

Episode 11 - Santa Claus Monte Carlo, France, 25 December

The curtains undrawn, the bright sunlight is flooding into my room.

Stretching, I throw the blanket on to the floor and spring off the bed. In the bathroom, my sleepy face, the hair is sticky and dishevelled, glances back at me from the mirror. I turn away and, pulling my clothes off, step under the shower.

In the dining room, maman, as fresh as daisy, sits at the head of a large walnut table, polished to a gleaming shine. On her right, Monsieur Moreau is seated. It seems he has never left the house. 

'Good morning, darling,’ maman greets me, a wide smile attached to her lips.

'Good morning,’ I reply and seat myself opposite Monsieur Moreau.

My appearance seems to have interrupted their somewhat intimate conversation. Shunning their gazes, I pour myself some coffee and start on my bacon and eggs breakfast.

'Did you sleep well?' maman breaks the silence.

'Quite well, merci,’ I answer, not looking at her.

'Chéri, I've invited Monsieur Moreau to spend Christmas with us. Hope you don't mind.'

'No, not at all, on the contrary ... It’ll break our usual routine.'

'Luke, dear, what on earth do you mean by that?' she cries out.

'I think Monsieur Luke might have meant that guests bring an element of a surprise into family holidays, making them more delightful,' Monsieur Moreau joins in.

I nod in agreement.

The rest of breakfast passes in a solemn silence. Finished, we move into the sitting room where a glitzy pyramid of gifts towers under the fluffy Christmas tree, a miniature version of the one in the reception room.

Maman sits down on the sofa, her legs crossed. I flop into an armchair. Monsieur Moreau, cigar in mouth, comes and stands by the fireplace.

'My dear Rosalinda,' he addresses maman, ‘may I take on a role of Santa Claus in this house today?'

'But of course! I’d be delighted. Usually, I’m the one who have to play this role.' she replies with a laugh.

'Very well,' he says, 'then I’d like to start with Monsieur Luke Edward Allen.'