Follow a Stranger

Kate thought hurriedly. “That’s very kind of them. Are

you sure I would be no trouble?”

“They have said they would be delighted,” Jean-Paul

assured her. “They are very ordinary people, you

understand—a family, but charming and kind. Henry

Murray works with me.”

Kate said, “I didn’t even know you had a job, Jean-Paul!”

He laughed. “You thought I was a parasite? Mais non, I

am a worker bee, I assure you. I run one of Marc’s

companies.”

“Oh,” said Kate flatly.

Jean-Paul was silent for a second, then he said, “But you

will come, Kate? I would so like that. And Pyrakis would

like to meet you again. I saw him yesterday and he

mentioned you with great admiration.”

Kate felt herself blushing. “Well, thank you very much,

then, Jean-Paul. I would like to come.”

“You will fly? Shall I arrange your ticket?”

“No,” she said hastily, “I’ll do all that. When shall I

arrive?”

“Saturday morning, perhaps? I will meet you at Orly if

you give me the time of your flight. Drop me a postcard. I

must run now. Au revoir, ma chere.”

“Au revoir, Jean-Paul,” she said, as the phone clicked.

She turned to face her mother, still flushed. Mrs.

Caulfield looked dazed.

“What was all that about?” asked her mother.

“Someone I met in Greece, asking me to Paris for the

weekend.” Kate kissed her quickly. “Must fly or I’ll be late.”

“Kate!” her mother called after her, protesting, but she