The statue on the platform of St Pancras looms high above Maddie. Two lovers entwined, their bronze arms knotted around each other, their faces close. A reunion or a goodbye – Maddie isn’t sure which it is supposed to depict. She remembers thinking that it was romantic the first time she saw it, but now she feels as if the whole thing was constructed specifically to mock her.
“I got us some sandwiches to eat on the Eurostar,” Maddie’s husband staggers up behind her, weighed down by bags, a tuna mayo clutched in one hand. “Probably costs about a tenner for a bag of crisps, once you’re on the train.”
Maddie takes the cardboard packet from him with only the briefest of longing glances at the champagne bar feet away from them.
“Thanks,” she says. “Tuna. My favourite.”
Richard nods, looking pleased with himself.
“Come on then,” he says. “Almost time to board.”
They had gone to Paris on their honeymoon, Maddie and Richard. It was 15 years ago, although to Maddie it feels both much further away and much closer all at once, time growing soupy and stretched the older they both get.
They were in their early 20s and Paris was all that they could afford. They had stayed in a run-down B&B in Montmartre with curtains that let in streams of yellow light. They had missed the complimentary breakfast every morning, sleeping late, spending hours in bed. Maddie would send Richard out for coffee and croissants instead and they would scatter crumbs all over the bedsheets.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
THROWING IT BACK TO THE 1990S 'VOGUE' ERA OF THE SUPERMODEL
KATE MOSS LEADS FAMOUS FACES REFLECTING ON FASHION HEYDAY
FORMER 'MADE IN CHELSEA' STAR FRAN NEWMAN-YOUNG
DAZZLES IN BESPOKE WEDDING GOWN AS SHE TIES THE KNOT IN STYLE IN MAJORCA
LENDING SUPPORT TO CHILDREN'S HOSPICE PRINCESSES BEATRICE AND EUGENIE
BRING LIGHT INTO LITTLE ONES' LIVES AS THEY PLANT A SYMBOL OF HOPE
ON BUOYANT FORM AFTER HIS WIFE'S GOOD NEWS THE PRINCE OF WALES
DISHES OUT THE HUGS ON VISIT FROM THE HEART
WITH AN INCREDIBLE GLIMPSE INTO FAMILY LIFE THE PRINCESS OF WALES
SHARES MESSAGE OF HOPE AS SHE LOOKS TO THE FUTURE AND BALANCING HER ROLE
IN HIGH SPIRITS AT THE BRAEMAR HIGHLAND GAMES THE KING AND QUEEN
ENJOY LAUGHS APLENTY AT A FAVOURITE EVENT BEFORE MONARCH QUIETLY MARKS TWO YEARS ON THE THRONE
AS HOLLY WILLOUGHBY RETURNS NATIONAL TELEVISION AWARDS
STARS DAZZLE ON NIGHT OF GLAMOUR AND GONGS
CREATING A NEW SISTER ACT ELIZABETH OLSEN
ON CO-STARRING WITH NATASHA LYONNE AND CARRIE COON
MAKING HISTORY AT STARSTUDDED EVENT IN NEW YORK TAYLOR SWIFT
SMASHES IT WITH SEVEN OF THE BEST AT THE V.M.As
KIM KARDASHIAN AND DAKOTA JOHNSONS
FASHION AND COMPASSION AT A-LIST CHARITY EVENT