'Puzzled'

Episode 33 - The Double

Episode 33 - The DoubleMonte Carlo – Saint-Tropez, France, 29 December

What does Monsieur Moreau need me on his yacht for? He will have a far better day out if he takes maman there, I think, but instead of inquiring into the might be reason of this sudden gesture of goodwill, nod to him in agreement.

Finished with my improvised breakfast, I put my sweater and wind jacket on, call Domino and go downstairs. In the hall, Monsieur Moreau waits for me.  I notice a leather sac de voyage [1]in his hands and offer him my help. He smiles, but declines it politely.

'What's in the bag?' I ask, intrigued.

'Just a few things that I might need ... '

'But aren't we just visiting the yacht?' I ask.

'Yes, but not just,’ he replies.

I'm about to enquire what this 'not just' means when we approach a cobalt blue convertible Morgan. The thrusting forward hood of this automobile brings an image of a clown's boot to my head. A car and its owner … I smile and throw a glance at Domino.

The cockpit with two low seats seems rather small. There is no boot to store baggage either, just some metal rails attached at the back. Placing there his sac de voyage, Monsieur Moreau secures it with belts and gets into the driver's seat.

'Voila, mon ami!’ he says and points to the seat next to him.

I take Domino in my arms and squeeze into the car, my knees meeting the dashboard.

'Monsieur Moreau, are you sure that this remarkable automobile antiquity will get us to Saint-Tropez?' I ask, trying to find a better sitting position.

'Mon cher ami, what seems an antiquity to you is, in fact, a replica of the Morgan Plus 8, circa 1966, that was assembled two years ago,' he replies.

'Really? Who could have imagined,' I murmur.

Monsieur Moreau starts the car. We get out of the town, come to the highway and speed up in the direction of Saint Tropez.  The cars, whizzing by, appear cutting edge ‘monstrosities’ comparing to our seemingly classic ‘antiquity’.

Domino on my lap, I relax into my seat and fix my eyes on the road. Suddenly, a vehicle, very similar to ours except tinted windows and a covered top, catches my sight.

'Looks like our double,' I say, pointing at it.

'Yes, in fact it is,' Monsieur Moreau replies, 'It's a Morgan sports model, Aero Coup. Very good on long distance rides.'

Gazing at the speeding away ‘Aero Coup’, I feel a pang of sadness and think of her and of how nice it would be to have her sitting in her white coat beside me right now.

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[1] sac de voyage – (French) – travel bag