Chapter 23
November 17th, 1816
Dear Diary,
I have been stranded for three whole days now, and I'm still not used to it. I keep asking myself, where could they be? Sébastien and I must have covered all the hotels in Paris already, and yet, they are nowhere to be found!
Life is quite lonely without family. Almost every evening we come home to a dark, empty (and not to mention freezing) house with no food on the table. How miserable to come home hungry and still cook! I know I really shouldn't be complaining though, I can tell that Sébastien is trying his best to be a good host, it's just that…
I liked his family and that warm little café though! He's just like them, with laughing, twinkling eyes and sincere smiles. When he smiles—when they all smile—their eyes smile along. I wonder if my eyes smile like his. And it isn't just about the smiles. The café is a place where the scent of freshly baked cookies lingers, where troubles evaporate with the hosts' warmness, where a glimpse of true happiness can be found.
I think I got too carried away with that last paragraph. Nevertheless, every word is true.
Sébastien starts work tomorrow. That leaves me at home alone in the afternoons while he is at rehearsal. I hope I can manage. Honestly, I have never even touched a broom in my entire life! Though I think it's only right that I should take over a share of the chores, after all, he's only being nice to take me in. I should get some rest, I have a whole day of housework ahead of me tomorrow. Wish me luck, Diary, and goodnight.
Love,
Tiffany
November 20th, 1816
Dear Diary,
I haven't been writing for the past few days because I have been severely fatigued by housework at the end of everyday. Chores are really no laughing matter. Everyday, there's an endless supply of pots to scrub, clothes to wash, flowers to tend to, it's incredible how much work goes into running such a modest cottage!
I should never have come! Oh, only if Father and Mother had not left me, I should be home, in the drawing room, reading Shakespeare. Instead, I have no choice but to remain, in this strange country.
Tiffany