Vivace! Page #2

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and all the work,

I collapse

when I get back to my room.

You could call me

before collapsing.

Can't you see how much I miss you

after only three days?

- Aren't you exaggerating a bit?

- No.

But you're not completely alone.

By the way,

have you seen Gilles again?

No, but I might go to the antiques'

market with him on Saturday.

Don't forget your camera.

My...? Oh, you're such an idiot.

This landscape is so beautiful.

It looks like a painting.

Nature imitating art.

Oscar Wilde.

He's the one who said that.

- Did he?

- He was a freethinker.

It killed him.

- What are you thinking about?

- That sentence by Alain.

Remember?

Happiness needs to be earned.

It only exists if you will it.

That's it.

Do you want to be happy?

I am.

Your husband is very lucky, Pauline.

I hope he knows it.

Alex is the air that I breathe.

I live for him.

Are you all right, Gilles?

I'll be fine.

Would you like to get some air,

take a few steps?

Or perhaps I could call a...

There's no point.

See? I'm already feeling better.

Go ahead. I'll join you.

You scared me.

No.

Are you through?

- You can email them to me.

- All right.

- Shall we have a look in there?

- OK.

It's a nice piece.

It's a Tuareg knife. A real one.

- What are you doing?

- Testing it. Knives should cut.

I'll take it.

Why did you do that?

It's a habit.

In my work I often had to face

extreme situations,

serpent bites, lack of medication.

It worried my wife a lot.

Your wife...

You...

That's a very nice pot holder.

Well done.

- What's wrong?

- I'd parked the car here.

- Are you sure?

- Absolutely certain.

- Do you think they stole it?

- That old banger? No.

They must have impounded it.

It happens to me all the time.

We'll call and find out.

Sh*t. I left my phone in your car.

We'll use a payphone, the old way.

- Let me help you.

- No, no. It's fine.

I was that badly parked?

I didn't see the sign.

It's not clearly visible.

Yes. How much?

- Gilles.

- The price has gone up again?

- That's a good money-spinner.

- Gilles, I must warn Alex.

Yes. Can I collect the car now?

So the price has changed

but the address is the same?

Listen, I'll wait a bit longer

then I'll take a cab.

Call me, though. Love you, darling.

I'll have to go to the pound.

It's miles away. Take a taxi.

No, I won't leave you like this.

Alex will have to wait for me.

Hold this, please. Thank you.

- Are you available?

- Yes, sir.

- Let me help.

- Thank you. Hello?

Darling, what's up?

I couldn't reach you.

You forgot your mobile

in Gilles' car?

Why are you still with him?

Oh. Listen, I'm taking a cab.

See you at home.

- OK. Thank you. See you later.

- See you later.

He's taking a taxi.

I'm really sorry. Listen, wait for

me in the bar where we had a drink.

- I'll go, then come collect you.

- I can come. I'm not encumbered.

Yes, you are.

Do as I said. I'll be back soon.

The gate's open. He's back.

I'm really sorry I made you late.

Don't worry.

I'll make sure he forgives me.

- I'd ask you in for a drink, but...

- That wouldn't be a good idea.

Go on in.

Don't forget your pot holder.

Bye.

Your garden will be marvellous.

Where do you get your ideas?

- From Gilles.

- You spend time with him?

I know you don't like him,

but he's so full of good advice.

Besides, he's quite sociable

for a loner.

He's curious, chatty even.

No, I love talking to him.

I learn a lot of things.

- Be careful anyway.

- How?

Don't believe everything he says.

About his wife, for example.

- You think he made her up?

- He was alone when he moved here.

He told me she'd left.

What do you think that means?

That she left him?

Or do you think she died?

There's something strange about

his past. We just don't know what.

But one thing's for sure.

The man isn't happy.

He talks about happiness

all the time.

See? It's as if he were jealous.

- Jealous? No. Why...?

- Pauline!

Yes, I'm coming.

Look at the wonderful painting

they've given us.

Ah, it's... it's fabulous, Henri.

You shouldn't have.

Are you mad? He's mad!

My one model provides me

with much inspiration.

Your only model.

Did you mention it?

No, not yet, darling. But I will.

I'm thinking of a painting that

would juxtapose two types of beauty.

One of them rather modern,

the other more classical.

Hand me your glass. In other words,

a young woman and an older one.

No, darling, that's not it at all.

I'm interested in the mix of styles.

Two beautiful but different women.

Thank you.

And I thought of you, Pauline.

- Would this be a nude portrait?

- Of course.

It'll be beautiful. That's why I'm

asking you in front of your husband.

Yes.

Can I think about it first?

Naturally. But don't wait too long.

Models have to be spontaneous.

- Well, cheers.

- Cheers.

Cheers.

Are the chops ready?

You know, if you want to pose

for him, why not?

After all, it's art.

I don't see why

Gilles would lie to me.

- What are you talking about?

- Gilles, his wife.

Mathilde says she never saw her.

He tells me she left.

But what does that mean?

Did she die?

I can't believe it.

You're obsessed with him.

Listen, darling, who cares about him?

Besides,

never mind what Mathilde said.

She's pretty batty too.

- Have you seen that painting?

- Don't you like it?

- Not particularly, no.

- I think it's magnificent.

Sure, if you were the nude,

it would be a masterpiece.

- You're such an idiot.

- I mean it.

Stop it.

- Close the shutters.

- No.

Close the shutters.

Go on.

I'm going, I'm going.

I'll get it.

Hello?

Hi. Yes, fine. You?

With pleasure.

Great.

We'll get ready and come over.

See you in a bit. Bye.

Alex, I've got great news.

We're going for a swim.

- For a swim? Where?

- That was Gilles.

He has a surprise for us.

And he's got a pool.

- You were dreaming of taking a dip.

- I've still got work to do.

How many bilingual Mexicans

do you think there are in Florida?

- Try and guess.

- I don't know.

Well, as soon as you're ready,

let's go. I'll grab the towels.

The Magic Flute. I love Mozart.

How about you? Do you love Mozart?

I'm going to Salzburg this year,

to hear Riccardo Muti.

- Are you going alone?

- I always do.

Even when you were married?

- Would you like some sugar?

- Yes, please. One spoon.

Thank you.

Is that an avocado tree?

- Yes, it is. Well done.

- From Mexico?

You must have seen

a lot of them over there.

- And right next to it...

- It looks like an aloe.

It looks like it,

but it's a gasteria.

- I see.

- People often confuse them.

- It's a hardy plant.

- So it's easy to grow?

Yes, they're both succulents.

- Succulents?

- They have fleshy leaves.

Oh, I see. So that's why...

One feels so alone here.

It's true,

you're shielded from the world.

You can't put a price on that.

- I enjoy solitude.

- Might you have something to hide?

You're more interested in my private

life than in the surprise I got you.

Aren't you the surprise?

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