Page 95 of The Velvet Hours
I turned toward the kitchen and found Giselle there. At the small walnut table where I sometimes took my breakfast, she was sitting having a cup of tea with Gérard. Between them was a small, half-eaten cake and two plates with crumbs.
“Mademoiselle Solange.” Giselle stood up immediately. “I’m so glad you came back in time.” She glanced over to Gérard, who was quickly dusting the crumbs off his lap before standing to greet me.
“Monsieur Gérard stopped by to make us aware that we will be having another air drill. He is as kind as his dear father, always thinking of us.”
Gérard shook his head. “Papa made me promise I would take special care of Madame de Florian. He always had a sincere concern for her well-being.”
“That is most kind of you to keep his concern close to your heart,” I said, impressed by how he had kept his word to his father. “I’m sure my grandmother will be touched by your kindness.”
“There are several apartments in this building, but your grandmother is one of the few owners that almost never asks anything from me. So many call for a leaky faucet or peeling plaster wall, something that should be handled by a repairman, not a concierge, but your grandmother troubles me with almost nothing. It’s the least I can do, to check up on her, especially now with the Germans advancing.”
“Let us hope they come no further,” Giselle said. “That the Maginot Line is as strong as they say.”
Gérard shook his head. “My father felt one must always be prepared for the worst. That is why I wanted to make sure you and Madame de Florian know I am here in case you need anything.”
“You’re a gentleman, just like your father.” Giselle came over and squeezed his shoulder. “Let me wrap this cake up for you. Your children will enjoy it.”
He took the cake that Giselle had wrapped in a cotton cloth. “Thank you.”
“A pleasure to see you again, Mademoiselle Solange.” He nodded to me and then took his leave not through the front exit, but through the pantry’s back door.
***
“The doctor’s been with her for over an hour,” Giselle said as soon as Gérard left. “I do hope you’ll be able to get some information fromhim.” She turned the faucet on over the plates and began washing them. “Madame looked so pale when I brought him in to see her. And her lips looked almost blue.” She shook her head. “It is terrible to see her looking so weak.”
“I will sit in the parlor now and wait for the doctor.” I touched Giselle’s arm. “I know you’re moved by Gérard’s gestures of concern. But I’m also grateful for yours.”
She looked up and smiled. “I’ve been with your grandmother since I was sixteen, Solange. I’ve been employed by her for over forty-five years now. Longer than many marriages. It would be impossible not to worry about her.”
“Still,” I said, genuinely touched by her dedication, “I want to thank you.”
“Just promise me you’ll tell me every word the doctor shares with you. I need to know.”
“I promise,” I assured her.
I walked toward the parlor and sat beneath Marthe’s portrait, waiting quietly until I heard the doctor’s footsteps coming down the hall.
49.
April 1940
His footsteps sounded like a metronome as he walked down the hallway’s parquet floors.
“Dr. Payard,” I said as I emerged from the open French doors of the parlor, clearly catching him by surprise. “I was hoping for the chance to speak with you about my grandmother’s health.”
“You must be Solange,” he said, his eyes lifting to meet mine. “Madame de Florian has spoken about you quite often.”
“Unfortunately, she has not spoken of you as often to me. I feel I’m in the dark about her recent health problems. I was hoping you might illuminate me...”
He fidgeted slightly in front of me. My forwardness had clearly caught him off guard.
He placed his dark satchel down on the floor and then reached for his overcoat. He began to button it up as he spoke.
“Your grandmother is resting comfortably now. I gave her a syrupwith codeine to help her rest. She complains that it’s almost impossible for her to sleep through the night with her cough.”
“Yes, this cough...” The words darted from my mouth. “She’s been suffering from it for several months now, and it appears to be worsening. How serious is it?”
Dr. Payard shook his head. “Please step out into the hallway with me for a moment, mademoiselle.”
