Just a Kiss

Le Jour d'Amour was everyone in Paris’ favourite holiday, and it had rapidly become Clopin Trouillefou’s too. As he stood on the steps of Notre Dame, selling the yellow roses that were the symbol of this particular holiday, to those who would proclaim their love for their partners in a matter of days, Clopin smiled to himself. Eight years ago, he had met the woman of his dreams. Well, no, that wasn’t strictly true – they had met once before that, back when he was seventeen and she only seven – but eight years ago their paths had crossed again and they had been swept up in an adventure...

Shock overcame Belle as she stared up at the woman.

“Belle,” whispered Sarah Clayton, looking down at the young woman.

Mother and daughter stared at one another a split second longer, and then Sarah dived to the floor and hugged Belle fiercely. Belle returned it, digging her fingers into her mother’s clothing, just to convince herself that this was real. She had pictured this day in her childhood dreams, a day when she would meet her parents again, but she had always imagined it would be in heaven, long after her death.

“Oh, Mama!” she exclaimed, her voice catching on a sob in her...