Page 76 of The Secret Librarian
‘I don’t know when or how, but I have to believe that we’ll see each other again,’ Avery said. ‘I can’t imagine that this is the last time.’
‘Who knows, I might get passage on one of those big ships heading for New York with everyone else. America doesn’t sound so bad, you know?’
Avery’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. ‘You’ve considered it?’
‘For one fleeting moment when I saw the refugees all lined up yesterday, and again right now when I realised my dearest friend was actually leaving.’
Avery sighed and brushed away a fresh batch of tears. ‘You could, you know,’ she said, softly. ‘If you ever wanted to, if it was something you wanted to consider ...’
Camille caught her hand and squeezed it. ‘I know. But until all the refugees are gone, my work here isn’t complete. I can’t turn my back on them when someone new might still need me.’
‘Well, you put that camera to good use for me, and know that if I could have stayed to help, I would have.’
‘You’re sure you won’t be in trouble for not returning it?’
‘I intend on telling them I was robbed on the streets of Lisbon. They can’t blame me for that, can they?’
When she finally let go, Camille reached under the counter and took out a book.
‘I actually have a parting gift for you. Something to remember me by,’ Camille said, handing it to Avery. ‘It’s an old book, but I wanted to give you something French.’
‘Madame Bovary, by Gustave Flaubert,’ Avery said out loud, and then she felt her cheeks heat. Trust Camille. ‘I know this one.’
Camille laughed. ‘It’s naughty but worth the read. I thought it might keep you occupied on your travels home.’
Avery glanced at her wristwatch then and knew she had to leave. She only had an hour before she had to be back at her apartment to collect her luggage.
‘It’s time for you to go, isn’t it?’ Camille asked.
‘It is,’ she said, tucking the book into her bag and embracing Camille one last time. ‘I’m going to miss you, so much. Just promise me you’ll stay out of trouble; I can’t stand the thought of anything happening to you without me here.’
‘I will, and I’m going to miss you, too,’ Camille whispered. ‘More than you’ll ever know.’
When Avery began to pull away, Camille placed her hands on Avery’s elbows and drew her in for a kiss on each cheek.
‘Safe travels, my friend.’
Avery took a deep, shaky breath and blew a kiss to Camille as she walked away, knowing that if she dared look back, she might never leave.
The tables at the Pastelaria Suíça were as crowded as ever, and Avery sat at one in the sunshine and opened the book Camille had given her, smiling when the note fell out. It reminded her of the last time Camille had done that. Avery still had her copy ofGone with the Wind, packed safely in her luggage, from that day.
Dear Avery,
Words are often easier to write than say out aloud, or at least that’s true for me. You’re the closest I’ll ever have toa sister, and I want you to know how much you’ve come to mean to me. Lisbon will not be the same without you.
Think of me every time you walk into a bookshop in New York, and know that you will never be far from my thoughts. You are the bravest and most loyal friend I’ve ever had. I owe my life to you.
Camille.
‘I thought we’d save the tears forafteryou left.’
Avery slipped the note back into the book and closed it, tucking it into her bag before looking up at James. It gave her a moment to stop crying.
‘It was a parting gift, from Camille,’ she said. ‘It’s made me all sorts of homesick for Lisbon, and I haven’t even left yet.’
‘I haven’t brought a gift, but I did arrange for all your favourite cakes and sweets to be brought out,’ James said, waving to the waiter.
Avery was puzzled until she saw two waiters returning with four plates of cakes and pastries. ‘James! There’s no possible way we can eat all that.’
