Short story 2. Le macaron

There was a small bakery on the crossing of two winding Parisian streets. The windows of this cafe looked out at wonderful park with the pond , covered with December snow, and regular alleys of straight trees. There were only five round tables in the bakery and only three workers – one cook, one cleaner and one good-natured elderly woman, who carried out the duties of house-keeper, manager and waitress at the same time. July had been living in Paris just for several years after her leaving from Canada. She was fond of French culture and art, that’s why she started working as an arts critic in the small museum and published one scandalous book about Claude Lorrain, in which July changed her real name for pseudonym. It was the right decision, because no one paid attention to this book, and only the members of Writers’ Union at regular intervals criticize her amazing manuscript. However, such consequences hadn’t changed July’s plans to publish the trilogy devoted to painting. So, every evening after her work the girl was sitting in the cozy bakery near the park and writing her next book.

Karl was at once the son of cafe’s housekeeper, this nice elderly woman, and the cook in the bakery. All members of his family in all generations had kept bakeries or cafes and Karl’s grandfather was the owner of the whole restaurant in the central part of Paris. All his forefathers were great confectioners and this talent passed to Karl, so every morning he created new masterpieces in the bakery and after this work spent his time in the museum, because his real passion was art. Some days ago, when Karl accidentally found himself in unnoticeable bookstore, he managed to buy a unique book of unknown author, devoted to his favorite landscape painter – Claude Lorrain. From the first page he was fully fascinated by this unusual story, written with grace and ardour. Karl was so satisfied with the book that meeting with the anonymous author became one of his greatest wishes.

In the meantime, July, who visited “Le Macaron” cafe every evening, admired delicious cakes and desserts. The main symbol of the bakery was famous assortment of macarons, which corresponded to the name of cafe, and the girl usually order special rose macarons, which she loved infinitely. One day July, who wanted to get acquainted with the cook of genius, told madam Tuilry, the owner of “Le macaron”, about her desire.

“Oh, my dear” answered the elderly woman “Karl is so busy know. And he usually work here I the mornings”.

“That’s pity” noticed July “Because I’m working at the same time. Maybe we can meet in the evening, tomorrow, for example?”

“I hope you will get the chance to get acquainted with Karl” answered madam Tuilry “But he always ask me not to disturb him in the evenings, because he has got one secret hobby and even I don’t know, what he is doing in these hours...But let me think…Well, I can give you one ticket to his tomorrow master class, July”.

“You are so kind, madam Tuilry” exclaimed July “I would be glad to attend this wonderful lecture”.

“Okay, I’m very pleased” said madam Tuilry “I was going to visit this master class, too, but some of my plans had changed. So, I think it would be better for you to go instead of me and finally meet Karl”.

“Thank you very much” said July “And I would like to take some macarons away now. The weather is good, so I’m going to bring your famous cookies to my relatives and have a kind of friendly tea”.

“That’s a good idea!” smiled madam Tuilry “Which macarons would you like to choose?”

“Certainly, those with the flavor of rose” answered July “My favorite ones”.

“Amusingly!” exclaimed the woman “Karl loves them most of all, too…So, here is you order, dear”.

“Yes, the strange coincidence” agreed July “Thank you very much again”.

“Good luck” smiled madam Tuilry “And bon appetite!”

 “Bye!”

Being in high spirits, July came out of the cafe and walked towards her aunt’s house. The air was cool and calm, most of the people were at home, and so that July could enjoy her solitude in the space of nature and the sleeping city. Suddenly a man, whom she hadn’t noticed earlier, pushed July slightly and the book which was in his arms fell down.

“Oh, I’m sorry” said he in guilty voice “I usually walk here alone and don’t come across anyone”.

“I love this place too and it’s the first time I see you here” shouted July “I think you should be more careful next time, because I’m carrying valuable cookies!”

“I’m really sorry” repeated the man “Oh, are carrying the cookies from “Le macaron” cafe?”

“Yes, it’s a lovely bakery” answered July and suddenly she noticed some familiar pages in man’s book “And what are you reading? It’s “The paints of life”, am I right?”

“Yes, it’s the book about Clod Loren” the man was a little bit embarrassed “I know that it is almost forbidden in our city, but honestly…it’s the best text I’ve ever read”.

“Are you joking?” asked July “This book doesn’t have any positive review!”

“Maybe, but it doesn’t matter” said the man “It’s my dream to meet this anonymous author, because she or he seems to be the most interesting person on the Earth”.

“It’s unusual to hear such words…” noticed July.

“I’m sorry again, if you don’t like this book” said the man, looking at nice features of July’s face “And everything has happened only through my fault…So could we go somewhere together?”

“Well, it’s a good idea” answered July, thinking about shining man’s eyes and his charming voice “But tomorrow I’m going to master class…”

“What kind of master class are you going to attend?” asked the man.

“Oh, it would be the lecture of one brilliant confectioner” explained July “His name is Karl Rochet”.

“Are you sure?” the man was surprised “You are going to my lecture?”

“Are you Karl Rochet?” July was astonished too.

“Yes, and you are…” began the phrase Karl.

“July Anry, the author of the book that you are reading now” finished the girl with laughter

“Such a surprise!” exclaimed Karl.

“Such a fantastic meeting” agreed July and they both walked towards “Le macaron” cafe…