Words to be included:

unfortunately, occasionally, change, coming, heard, jumped, started, thought, tries, watch, together, always, during, every, morning, spontaneous, inconspicuous, notorious, dispel, spite

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This morning as she walked to the studio she jumped into the River Seine. As she leaped a fleeting thought; such a spontaneous act was probably not the best idea. It certainly did not make her inconspicuous, nor dispel the feeling of boredom that she had today. Her studio 'mother', who looked after the models; was notorious for her spite, her vindictive ways, always directed at the most junior of models, which Genevieve was.

'It really tries one's patience,' she had moaned to a friend.

She started to swim to the shore, but unfortunately the wash from a passing tourist boat and the weight of her clothes swept her further downstream. Now she was in trouble, but she thought she heard a voice, coming from the bank,

'Hold on!' it called, 'I'm on my way.'

He jumped down and sprinted towards her, occasionally stumbling on the stones, but then he was there, her saviour. He pulled her out of the freezing river and wrapped her in his coat and together they walked up onto the pavement.

He took her home to her tiny flat, where he sat in her living 'room' while she went to change her wet clothes During the half hour or so it took her to dry off he found the kitchenette and made her a hot drink.

'This,' he thought, 'might be the start of something wonderful.'

Genevieve came out from behind the screen she used as a wall between the living area and sleeping area wrapped in a blue robe, her red-gold tresses still wet from the water, tumbled over her slender shoulders. She looked at her rescuer, dressed in a conservative but smart suit, sitting upright on the couch. Although she spoke perfect English his accent was unfamiliar to her.

She sat next to him, studying his features, his clear blue eyes and fair hair; he'd make a good subject, she thought.

'Monsieur,' she said quietly, 'you saved me, but I do not know your name.'

'Thomas,' he replied, falling instantly in love with her voice, the sexy accent assaulted his ears, her looks assaulted his eyes.

'I do not know your speech, your, uh, accent?' She smiled, 'you are from..?'

'Australia,' he supplied, 'Victoria, it's in the south.'

'You like it?' she asked, tipping her head to one side.

'It's beautiful, light, airy.' Thomas' expression became almost dreamy, 'wide open skies, vast lands...'

He realised he didn't know her name, how to find out?

'Mademoiselle..?'

'Etienne, Genevieve Etienne.' She smiled, 'I paint.' She looked at him with a silent question.

'I'm a doctor.' He told her, 'I will be taking a practice in Ballarat when I return home'.

Genevieve eyed him, fascinated, she had fallen in love with him almost instantly, he sounded secure, as if he would keep her safe. After all he had saved her from drowning. Travelling the world, she would be inspired, perhaps this 'Ballarat' would awaken her soul.

'I would love to see more of the world.' She whispered, 'France is my birthplace but...My mother used to say I had wanderlust.'

'I must be going.' Thomas coughed, 'may I escort you somewhere?'

Thomas wondered if Mlle Etienne would continue to wherever she had been going.

'I must get to the studio,' Genevieve stood up, 'Madame will be cross.'

'What do you do there?' Thomas asked, as she went back to dress, 'Is that where you paint?' There were artists things around the room so he was beginning to wonder why she would be going to a studio.

'I am a model,' She noticed Thomas' raised eyebrows and knew he was worried, 'Oh Monsieur, I do not undress. Oh no, no! I remain clothed.' She was blushing when she came out from behind the screen, fully clothed. That had been her stipulation when she had taken the position. It was just to earn enough to live.

He offered her his arm...

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And the rest is history! My first attempt at a back story for Thomas and Genevieve, inspired by the Audition scene from LA LA Land, and the weekly spelling list.