Lost and Found "X

 

BOOK LOSS

My masters thesis at the University of Glamorgan was symbolism in John Irving's work. I was surprised when at 83 he published another novel, Queen Esther. I had Pages & Sips, my favorite Geneva book store, order it and enjoyed scones and tea when I picked it up. 

Irving said that the novel carried on from his Cider House Rules, which I reread. I THOUGHT I took Queen Esther back to France with me when I go back there, but was waiting until I finished the biographies of Eleanor Roosevelt before starting it.

All excited, the day I was to begin the new Irving book, I couldn't find it. Had I left it in Geneva? Our flats are not that large so there aren't that many places for a book to go.

I figured when I got back to Geneva, if the library didn't have a copy, I'd order a Kindle.

BOOKMARK

On a cold, but clear day we walked through the Montreux Christmas Marché chalets along Lac Léman. Rick was thrilled to find his poutine, I found a wooden handmade pen for my collection. There was one chalet that looked like English library. They weren't selling books, but golden bookmarks. There were different designs. 

I fell in love with a book design (see photo). Even the 34 CHF price tag didn't persuade me not to buy it. That was 18 months ago and I've used it in the major book I've been reading ever sense. I often read two books at the same time. My other bookmark is a piece of flat wood with a lovely grain.

THE SECOND LOSS

Rick and I have back-to-back physio appointments. I take books to read while he was being worked on.

When I opened my book, the bookmark was gone. 

In our village we can walk to almost everything we need. Rick offered to retrace our steps while Reuben massaged my legs. My husband went to the Retirada musée where we'd taken his kids to see the diaspora of people escaping Franco across the Pyrenees in January 1939. He walked back to our house. He told me he looked through our flat. Giving up, he headed for his appointment.

2X FOUND 

Rick had found Queen Esther behind other books. Walking back through Place Gambetta and by the grocery store he, by chance, glanced down and there was the book mark.

The book and its bookmark were reunited and I was very happy.