Seeing the Love Read Free Page B

the most beautiful language in the world. “You don’t want to know how to buy a feathered hat for your aunt?”
    A muffled snort sounded in her ear. “Not much call for feathered hats,” he said. “More like ordering a beer. Buying food. Basic tourist stuff.”
    “I could do that.”  She took a moment to find a tissue in her bag and blow her nose. “Are you planning a trip?”
    “Yes.” He was confident and smooth again. The anxious note had left his voice. “It’s something I’ve been thinking of for a while. Where did you live?”
    “All over. Papa was an artist, and we moved around with his exhibitions. Maman was a book editor, so she could work anywhere.”
    “Did you have a favorite place?”
    Did she? Out of the jumbled impressions that she had of France, there was one that stood out. “Paris. We mostly lived in the country—Papa preferred to work outside—but we spent two months in Paris. I’d never been anywhere so exciting.” Memories flooded her brain, as though she’d opened a tap. The Louvre at night, all glass and angles. The gardens of the Tuileries. The River Seine, gliding along like a giant snake. “I was very much a country mouse going to the city for the first time.” She recalled peering through the massive store windows, gazing at the world through different eyes. “It was an adventure.”
    “So how did you end up in New Zealand?”
    “Maman was offered a great job here, so we came over to try it for a few years.” She remembered her trepidation at starting another new school. She’d developed an aloof shell, and it had stuck with her. She shrugged, and then realized Lucas wouldn’t be able to see her. “We liked it.”
    They fell silent again, but this time it felt comfortable. Natalie took a quick breath. “I have to go now, but yes, I’ll teach you some phrases.”  She smiled, knowing just where to start. “ Bon soir , Lucas. Good evening.”

Chapter Five
    “Hello, Lucas. May I call you Lucas?” The woman didn’t wait for his reply before she continued. “My name is Verity Hipkiss, and I’m the new Human Resources Manager here at Tech4.” She pulled up a seat next to him, which meant this was unlikely to be a passing greeting.
    Lucas pasted a smile on his face. “How can I help you?”
    “I’ve been familiarizing myself with your records, and the special equipment you use. I guess I just want to be sure we’re doing everything we can for you.”
    Lucas gestured to the huge computer screen, and viewing lens. “It all works fine, thanks, and I’m actually quite busy at the moment. Can we do this later?”
    “It’ll only take a minute. Your condition is called,” she hesitated. “Coro,” she paused again.
    “Choroideremia,” said Lucas.
    “Yes, that’s right. And you’ve had it since you started working here?”
    Lucas knew his medical details formed part of his employment records. He was registered disabled, and had been for some time. He suppressed a sigh. “Yes. I’ve had the condition since birth, but it was only diagnosed ten years ago, when it became a problem.”
    “And the prognosis? Might you regain your sight?”
    He wanted to ask if she might regain her ability to read, but managed to keep the words locked down. “No,” he said through gritted teeth. “I have limited vision now”—extremely fucking limited—“but that could last for a few years.”
    “Mmm hmm.” She tapped away at something, probably one of the tablets that all the managers here carried, and his patience snapped.
    “I have a conference call to dial into. Have we finished?” He breathed a sigh of relief when she finally walked away. It was time to check in with Natalie.
    Lucas: Bonjour, Natalie.
    Natalie: Bonjour, Lucas . Comment ca va?
    Comment ca va? Lucas knew what that meant. ‘How are you?’ Confident, he tapped out his reply.
    Lucas: Ca va bien, merci.
    I am well, thank you. He’d no idea what had prompted him to say he wanted to learn French, let