On the streets of Paris, the girls skipped along, keeping an eye out for anything interesting.

"Oh, gypsies!" Ariel cried, pointing to a girl dancing to the sound of a flute. She hurried over to join the crowd.

"Ariel, wait for me!" called Snow, running after her. The other girls smiled and joined them.

Belle felt a tug at her dress. She sighed, and as quick as lightening darted out her hand.

The gypsy child squirmed, trying to get away. Belle shook her head.

"Tsk, tsk. Pick-pocketing, are we? You know you can do better than that." The boy scowled and pulled even harder. Belle was moved by the hungry look in his eyes. She held on and put her other hand in her pocket, drawing out a silver coin. "Darling, take this and buy yourself some food. And don't come back for more."

The boy stared at her, amazed, then snatched the coin and ran away. Belle straightened up, not noticing the gypsy man watching her. As the girls got ready to move on, he stopped her.

"That was kind of you. I've never known a Parisian to give a gypsy-child money instead of reporting him. Are you new to the city?"

Belle gazed curiously at his colourful attire and smiled. "Not really, I just don't come here much. I'm showing my friends around."

The man bowed. "Well, don't let me keep you. My name is Clopin, by the way."

Belle took out another coin and flipped it in the gypsy's direction. "Goodbye, Monsieur Clopin."

Joining the others, she led them on.

"Maybe you could take that gypsy you were talking to. He seemed quite charming," observed Ariel, nibbling her pastry.

The six girls were sitting on the bank of the Seine, eating lunch and throwing pebbles into the water. Belle laughed and shook her head.

"Now, I don't know if that would be appropriate."

"Well, you need to find someone." Snow finished hers and reached for another.

The other girls nodded in agreement, and Aurora brushed her hair away from her eyes. "It would be terrible if the festival came around and you had no-one to celebrate with."

"But there is no-one!" Belle exclaimed. "I'm not like you royalty, who can woo a prince in a matter of a day. I have nothing to offer anyone- in fact, i have two things that never attract men: a plain face and a mind of my own. The only man who has ever shown interest in me is Gaston, and you know what he's like." She looked stricken. "I hope father doesn't tell him where I am, for he's sure to come looking for me."

"I'm sure he won't." Jasmine stretched out on the grass. "But that's another reason why you should find someone quickly. If he does come, perhaps he'll leave you alone when he sees you have a man already."

Belle stretched out beside her. "But who is there? I can't go around flirting with all the men in Paris! Besides, I only came here because you wanted to, so that I could help you out if you needed it. I don't need to be part of the festival."

"But it would be nice if you could," said Cindy, licking her fingers. "We'll figure out something."

Belle shook her head. "If you say so."

On the way back to Notre-Dame, the girls found much to see. They were particularly captivated by the markets, which sold everything from fruits and vegetables to trinkets and jewellery. Belle found a book stall and couldn't be pried away from it, Aurora and Cindy were busy perusing the jewellery stand, Jasmine was haggling over a pretty beetle broach, and Snow and Ariel were loading up on confectionaries. As the sun began to set and the market people began to pack up their wares, the girls took their things and made their way home. In was the end of a fruitful day in Paris, and everyone was satisfied.