The Nursery Can Wait.....
It is Still Summer, Dear Readers, and what better way to spend the Day than in a Lovely Park Indulging in Daydreams? There is work to be done on the Tree House Nursery, and I have even made considerable progress.... but unless we continue with Daphne's Story... I fear we shall Never reach the end! So I bring you back to that Lovely Little Park not far from the Town House where the de Montaigne Family lives.
This morning when Gabrielle and Renee arrive, Will was once again there before them, only this time he had sat on Gabrielle's favorite bench. Whether or not this was deliberate, even Will was not sure, as he really had no need at all to be there in the Park for yet another morning. He told himself that it was just a very nice place to sit and make phone calls in the summer morning before he had to go meet his next appointments. And if he did happen to see Daphne's daughter again he was sure he would learn a little more about her, although the Nanny was not revealing any details of the child's life. She seemed to be much more interested in learning about his furniture and Antique business than anything else. It seemed she was quite interested in antiques!
The Nanny hesitated as they approached, and Will realized he was where she expected to sit.
He quickly got to his feet and offered her the bench.
But she simply smiled and said it was okay...
she would take the other one....
Will had thought he needed to make sure,
really sure it was Daphne's child.....
But he really didn't see how there was any doubt.
But he could still try to get details....
So he sat down on the bench opposite the Nanny.
Renee turned to Gabrielle and whispered
"It's that Man...!"
"Yes, it is" whispered Gabrielle.
This seemed to satisfy Renee and she turned to Will...
"I brought 'Hibou' to the Park" she said.
"He is just a baby but he is learning to fly..." she explained.
And before Will could think of what to say,
she ran off to play with the birds as she had done the day before.
She was certain that Hibou would learn to fly if he saw the other birds flying!
But whenever she approached too close....
the birds moved away!
She did not notice that she was being watched.
Daphne was walking past the Park on her way to the de Montaigne House
when she glanced in and saw the child playing.
Thinking of all the times she had stood in parks and watched other people's children play....
perhaps even mistaking them for just a moment...
thinking she saw her own child...
But this time she Knew without a doubt!
This was her daughter!
She stood by the fence, mesmerized......
But Renee was determined to teach Hibou to fly.....
She tossed him into the air...
"Fly, Hibou!" she cried.
But he just landed on his nose and scattered the birds.
"Not like that, Hibou...." she said, picking him up again.
"Fly Hibou!" she called and tossed him up in the air...
But he landed on his nose again.
Suzette tried to get close enough to give him some tips.....
But Renee got there first and picked him up again....
"Hibou.... Fly!" she shouted and gave him a good toss.....
He "Flew" straight into the Fountain!
Renee ran to the Fountain and looked in.....
"Hibou....!" she called.
He didn't answer!
But Gabrielle had noticed and got up in a hurry....
"Oh Dear..." she murmured... "I wasn't watching....."
"What happened..?" said Will, a bit confused ....
But he followed her to where the child stood at the fountain.
"What is it...." he asked?
"Hibou flew into the water..." said Renee.
"How are we going to get him out...?" said Gabrielle.
"Oh," said Will.....
"Let me see what I can do...."
he added as he removed his coat....
And took off his shoes.....
And stepped boldly into the fountain!
The water was quite cold...
but he didn't even flinch.....
And dodging the falling water....
he reached into the depths...
And grabbed Hibou.....
A soaking wet Hibou.....
And turned, Victorious, to give the soaking owl to the child!
He suddenly felt like a Hero!
"What do you say..." prompted Gabrielle softly.
"Merci, M'sieur" said Renee as she waved goodbye.
Gabrielle could not help smiling to herself as they left the Park.
He was such a nice man!
Will watched until they had left the Park.
Then he turned to get his shoes and coat.
When he glanced up,
he saw a beautiful woman on the other side of the fence.
She was staring at him.
With a start he realized it was Daphne!
(To be continued......)
Ah, Dear Readers, I hope you can bear with me
for leaving you hanging there!
We've been having such a lovely time in the Park....
The Nursery will have to wait!
