The Snows of Kilimanjaro Page #4

Why?

All l can say is,

the taste of aniseed

caresses your lips like a kiss.

Then there's the sweetness

that lingers after,

like two lovers in bed

or a meadow of daisies.

And 25 degrees of alcohol

isn't enough to erase everything.

You never want to erase

a broken heart completely.

l put two ice cubes in it.

The cold exalts the whole thing.

All that prepares you

for a new love.

Because a broken heart

is just a prelude to more happiness.

lt's an open door to other joys.

Marie Brizard?

Not a broken heart?

No, it's more complicated.

It's life.

Life...

Life...

You definitely don't need

a Marie Brizard.

Just a second.

l know what you need.

Try this.

lt's good.

lt's not too strong.

Metaxa?

From sunny Greece.

Drink up, l'll pour you another.

Life needs two, madam. At least.

The second one's on me.

Denise?

- Is that you?

- Yes, it's me.

l'm sorry, Raoul.

l haven't made dinner.

That's ok.

We'll eat out.

l don't want to go out.

You know what?

We'll stay in.

And we'll order pizzas.

Ok?

Fine.

Like this, Dad?

Got mint?

- In your pastis?

- Please.

- Where are you going?

- Dad wants mint.

lt's heavy!

Your tiramisu?

Let's have dessert!

No, l'm starving, l want sausages!

Hi.

- Does it go in the fridge?

- Yes.

Look out! Tiramisu!

ls your shoulder ok?

Yes. It's nearly better.

Want these?

Just a second.

- Hello, Michel.

- Hi, how goes it?

Fine, thanks.

Smells good.

Where does this go?

Who'd hide mint syrup

with the shoes?

Your kids now you've told everyone,

stupid!

Hello, Denise.

Hello, Raoul.

Thanks for the chairs.

What'll you have?

The same, without mint.

You're not asking me?

You're here too?

You brought her along?

He's terrible!

- Leave my son alone!

- He won't give me a drink!

l'm thirsty too.

Hello, Raoul.

Cheese or the tiramisu?

The tiramisu. l'll get it.

Michel, you can do us

a pergola any time.

Don't go empty-handed.

Gilles! The dessert plates.

Yes, boss.

l'm not moving.

l could have done a better job

but it's not bad.

l was thinking...

No one can use the tickets

in your name.

lf they find them, you can go

on the trip to forget.

The money was what they wanted.

These junkies will stop at nothing

to get their dose.

Let's not talk about it.

We can't manage to forget.

We should

but we can't.

Those young guys thinking

l was someone selfish or bad,

that's an idea l can't bear.

Why did you mention it?

lt was Jeannot!

They hate us.

Why?

Because we have a house, a car...

We fought for that.

We fought for young guys like them.

Michel more than anyone.

What's changed?

Why did they come to steal from us

and hit us?

Comee with the tiramisu?

- Good idea.

- l'll make it.

Got a drop of alcohol

to tackle the fat?

You want a liqueur?

Yes, why not?

Metaxa?

lt's good. It's from Greece.

No one's eating the tiramisu?

We fought, that's true,

but who knows that?

People forget.

Youngsters now think

we've always had

paid holidays, social security,

pensions...

Maybe we haven't told them

others fought for us.

Dad...

You're excusing Brunet

because he's a worker.

But a civilian jury

acquitted Jaurs' killer!

Ordinary people, not the well-off!

Guys like Brunet! You told me that!

And now it's not a crime

to beat you up and rob you?

Just let the thieves off!

Yelling like that,

you're talking football or politics.

Coffee?

l see your names on them

but you need

to confirm they're yours.

These are our tickets.

Did Brunet have them?

No.

The other guy.

You've arrested him?

Christophe Brunet named him?

No. He wouldn't tell us.

We found a bar

where they used to meet.

l sent two men,

a waitress identified the guy,

we nabbed him.

And the money?

Nothing.

We know what Brunet did.

He paid his rent

and bought food

for his mother and two brothers.

The two kids were his brothers?

Two young brothers.

Oddly, you're more likely

to know prison,

so to speak,

if a family member's done time.

So it's not much of a deterrent.

l'll do all l can to get

the tickets back to you in time.

lt's a great trip.

You mustn't miss it.

Hello, inspector,

this is Mrs Marteron.

Anybody here?

Hello.

Aren't your parents in?

Don't you know to lock the door

when they're out?

Will they be back late?

Who are you?

Marie-Claire.

What do you want?

To see your parents.

Why?

- We don't have a dad.

- Shut up!

Why do you want them?

Your mum then.

To talk about grown-up stuff,

nothing interesting.

What's your name?

Martin.

Martin...

Lovely.

Martin is a nice name.

lt comes from Martinus,

and Martinus comes from Mars,

the planet,

not Marseille.

Mars was the god of war.

And you?

He's Jules.

That's another planet: Jupiter.

Names interest me

because l have grandchildren.

Their names?

My grandchildren?

The oldest is Ludo.

That's short for Ludovic,

his full name.

Then there's Louis.

That's a very old name

from northern Europe.

l can't really remember

but it comes

from Cholodwig, l think.

And the youngest one is Monica.

That means ''the one and only''.

- Got any homework?

- No.

Not for tomorrow?

lt's a day off.

Silly me.

- Who helps with your homework?

- Christophe.

No one. We do it alone.

That's good. You manage alone.

Very good.

- It's me!

- Hello...

Sorry, l came in.

The door wasn't locked.

lt's not my place. Who are you?

l know Christophe.

l work with him.

You work there?

Yes, as a cleaner.

You know what's happened?

Yes.

Christophe's so sweet.

Their mother isn't here?

We haven't seen her for months now.

Or just long enough

to slam a few doors.

They're good kids.

What'll happen to them?

Sorry, l work nights, l have to run.

Bye, boys.

You're going to love it!

Bye, Agns.

Goodbye.

- Mrs Brunet?

- Are you Marie-Claire?

Yes.

Brunet is Christophe's dad.

My boat's leaving. What do you want?

You know about your son, Christophe?

Who's going to look after...

Well, Jules and Martin

are very young.

l knew it.

Are you a social worker?

No, social workers have a nap

in the afternoon.

Sorry, but l'm in a hurry.

Will you be away long?

With the kids alone?

Know what he's facing?

No.

l don't want to know.

You're leaving?

- That's sick.

- Sick?

You're here to insult me?

My husband wanted kids.

Where are they now?

l have to take charge?

They take off, leaving you the kids!

l had Christophe at 16!

His dad vanished 6 years later

without a trace!

For 5 years, l lived without a guy.

That's a f***ing long time!

The next guy gave me two more,

then split!

l'm not even 40 yet.

ln the raw, l look 30!

No one could ever tell

l've dropped 3 kids already.

There's a guy on that boat.

He got me the job.

We sail back and forth,

a three-day crossing.

And that guy likes me.

And that's priceless!

Imagine me saying l have 3 kids,

one aged 22!

No way!

l say he's my brother.

l'm not a mother.

l never have been.

No one fucks mothers.

No one.

Sorry l'm late.

Are you ok?

l was at Mrs Iselim's

and l got talking to her daughter.

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