Free Croissant Murder (A Patisserie Mystery with Recipes) by Harper Lin Page A

Sarah finally showed up. In gray pants and a white dress shirt, Clémence could see Sarah had gained a little bit of weight. Was this why she wasn’t modeling as much anymore? Her long hair was tied into a bun and her face was made up; Sarah was still just as beautiful as Clémence remembered.  

    Madeleine called her on the phone. Clémence muted her phone and started recording the conversation.

    Madeleine and Sarah made a fuss greeting each other, making small talk and complimenting one another, as Clémence had done with Madeleine earlier. The waiter took their drink orders, and Madeline immediately turned back to Sarah, “It’s been so long. How have you been? Where have you been?”  

    Sarah shrugged, a weary smile on her face. “Oh, you know. I’m still modeling, but I found it a little desensitizing. I’m disillusioned with it. In fact, I grew to hate it. I’ve tried it for a good year and a half in Paris, but it’s not the career for me.”  

    “Why not?”  

    “I don’t know. I hate being treated like a clothes hanger. Or a piece of meat. Sometimes I have to go to castings and they ask me to strip on the spot.”  

    “What about acting? That’s at least a little bit more humanizing.”  

    “Well, I’m not good in front of the cameras. I can’t act. You know how shy I am. Plus, I’m Irish. My French is not the best. To do that I’d have to go to the UK, move altogether.”  

    “So why don’t you? Unless there’s someone keeping you here.”  

    “No.” Sarah laughed. “I’m going through kind of a dry spell, actually.”  

    “Nobody at all? A gorgeous girl like you? Are you still hung up on Mathieu?”  

    “No. We’re better off apart.”  

    “I heard he’s moved on with some girl who works at an art gallery or something,” Madeleine said. “You’re not a teensy bit jealous?”  

    “Our relationship just wasn’t meant to be. I felt it. Sure, I’m a bit hurt that he’s moved on so fast, but I want him to be happy. I’m sure I’ll meet someone when I’m ready for it, too.”  

    “That’s very big of you. Every time I go through a breakup, I’m batshit crazy for weeks, driving everyone around me nuts.”  

    Sarah laughed. “Well, it’s not easy, you know? But I try to be mature about it. Mathieu seems happy, so I’ll just let him be. Like my mother says, when God closes a door, he opens a window.”  

    “Well, who needs guys? What have you been doing for fun lately?”

    “Actually, I’ve been pretty busy. To tell you the truth, there’s been a change in my life. It’s big, and it’s partly why I haven’t been going out at all.”  

    Madeleine leaned in. “What is it?”  

    “I had a baby.”  

    “What? No way!”

    Sarah nodded. “Yes. She’s my pride and joy. She’s nearly one. I’m lucky that she got into crèche so I’m able to work part-time. Her name is Joy. Do you want to see pictures?”  

    Clémence was stunned. If Sarah had the baby a year ago, then that meant the father was…

    “Is she Mathieu’s?” Madeleine asked.

    “Yes.”  

    “Oh, my God. How is it being a single mother?”  

    “It’s okay. I’m working at Galeries Lafayette because I want to. I know it doesn’t sound glamorous, but I like it. At least I get to talk to people. It keeps me sane. I’d rather move back to Ireland, but Mathieu needs to be here, and I want my daughter to know her father. He’s had some setbacks, but he says he’s going to get a big break soon so he can take care of us better.”  

    “Right. His career hasn’t done as well as we all predicted.”  

    “He’s certain something big is going to happen soon, though. He says in the next few months, he’ll be wealthy enough to hire a nanny and help me rent a bigger apartment, since Joy lives with me. He really wants us to stay in Paris. I was seriously considering moving back to Ireland before he convinced me. That’s where my family is, and I’d get more