CHAPTER 11 - The beginning of friendship

The next day, Andre proposed a horse ride. He said that Oscar really had to see the cliffs and beach in Etretat. They arrived at full gallop in a few minutes. All the way, they were accompanied by a breathtaking view of the sea. The sea stretched to the horizon, gentle and calm on that hot, almost windless day. They circled the escarpment to the east and drove onto a wide beach covered with white, small stones. In the distance, they could see the milky-white cliffs covered with greenery from above. The panorama was so unusual that Oscar paused for a moment as if enchanted. Andre overtook her, but came back after a while. He looked at her with a broad smile, seeing that she was surveying the surroundings with shining eyes.

- That's what I told you about, Mademoiselle! - he said proudly

- And you did not exagerate even a little bit.. - she replied almost breathlessly – Here, there is as beautiful as in a fairy tale!

- Yes, it is. I often claim that it's a paradise on earth - he smiled and after a moment added - I'm glad that I could share the piece of this paradise with you.

She looked at him in amazement, but he already looked away.

- Shall we keep riding? - he asked quickly and set off immediately

They were galloping for a while, splashing white stones and sea water in all directions. They stopped when the beach ended. Right next to it was a huge flint arch and a stone spire. Everything was just overwhelming. They got off their horses, left them beside the entrance to a nearby cave, and walked closer to the rocks.

- Porte d'Aval - Andre pointed to the bow - and L'aguille over there.

- I've never seen anything like that - Oscar sighed with delight - Where did they come from?

- The sea has carved these cliffs day after day for hundreds of years. It's a soft rock. As for a rock, of course - he added jokingly.

They strolled along the beach a moment longer, then returned to the horses.

- I'll water them now and maybe we should let them rest for a while, it's quite hot today - Andre said, pulling the wineskin from under the saddle. Firstly he gave it to Oscar, then drank himself and took care of the horses.

Oscar at that time sat down, leaning against the rock wall, and lost in thoughts. She felt strangely calm, completed. She needed nothing more to be happy. She looked out to sea, then closed her eyes, inhaling the salty scent. Then she discreetly observed the man working nearby. The curls of his hair had escaped from the tape as usual, so he kept fixing them with a seductive gesture as he worked. It was quite warm, and they were also warming up more by galloping, so now he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt and unbuttoned it a little. The sight stunned Oscar completely, so she just sat under the rock and didn't say a word.

Andre finished his work, walked over and sat down next to her.

- I have an idea - he said, looking at her audaciously - But it's pretty crazy and you certainly wouldn't want to be part of it, Mademoiselle.

- Try me, Monsieur - Oscar replied with a provocative smile.

- Come on - he said simply and stood up, and she followed him.

They walked a bit towards the stone colossus. Andre pointed on the wall high above them.

- There's a stone ledge there - he said – When I was a child, I climbed the cliffs almost every day. But that place is the best - he turned to her, grinning.

- We will definitely kill ourselves - Oscar replied, staring intently at the distance of the shelf from the ground.

- Maybe.. - Andre tried unsuccessfully to suppress a laugh.

- What are we still waiting for? - Oscar said, her eyes twinkling.

Andre went first. He knew the way and where to put his feet. Oscar copied his movements one by one. Children's practice of walking on trees turned out to be very useful now, because thanks to it she had any problems with climbing. After quite a long time, Andre reached the ledge and climbed onto it. He then hanged towards Oscar and held out his hand. The woman huffed and ignored him. She came a bit more, and it was when the rock under her feet crumbled and her leg fell limp into the abyss. Without losing her confidence even for a moment, Oscar pulled herself up on one arm and grasped Andre's extended hand. He finally pulled her onto the ledge. They sat leaning against the rock for a while, breathing hard, trying to calm their beating hearts. Then they looked at each other and they both burst out laughing as if on command.

- That was close - said Oscar, trying to supress laugh.

- It was a stupid idea - Andre said apologetically – I'm sorry!

- It wasn't stupid at all. I have a great time - the woman winked at him, and sat back, leaning against the rock wall.

Indeed, this ledge had a wonderful view.

- I'm Oscar – she said to him after a while, turning and stretching out her hand.

- Are you sure we should? - Andre asked a little hesitantly.

- I can't call „monsieur" to a man who was just trying to kill me - she laughed in response.

- I saved you! - he replied, pretending to be offended.

- Maybe you felt a pang of conscience suddenly - she said innocently.

He laughed.

- Andre – he shook her outstretched hand.

Going off the cliff was more difficult than climbing, but there were at least no surprises. Andre went first - „to catch you if needed", as he said. Oscar couldn't help laughing again at his words. After descending, they ate something, sitting under the rocks, then galloped back home. Lunchtime was long past, and they were both hungry as wolves.

...

They burst into the courtyard at full speed and braked abruptly as they saw a carriage standing in the driveway. Just then, an elderly woman was getting out of the carriage, and in seconds Andre drowned in her arms. Oscar, in a wonderful mood, stood beside them, watching their joyful reunion. But someone else got out of the carriage. At the sight of the lovely, blushing Rosalie, Oscar's smile vanished instantly.

She cursed violently in her mind and decided to disappear as quickly as possible. So she greeted nanny, then nodded to Rosalie, who bowed politely. She held out her hand to Andre.

- Thank you for today and see you later - she told him and ran away, without waiting for an answer.

Andre was quite surprised by Rosalie's arrival. He hadn't expected to see her this summer when he realized Oscar hadn't taken her. At first he was disappointed, but then, a shame to say, he forgot about it completely. Of course, he was very happy that they would spend some time together. He took grandma and Rosalie to their rooms, and after they changed and refreshed, they all had an early dinner in the kitchen. The atmosphere was very cheerful, although the girl didn't speak much, looking a bit intimidated.

Before it got dark, Andre took Rosalie for a walk in the garden, because the evening was warm and fragrant with flowers. Oscar saw them walking when she looked through the window. Two glasses, she thought. Or three. She definitely needed THREE glasses of wine.