Read Online French Leave by Anna Gavalda - Free Book Online Page A

We wanted to take you out for dinner.”
    â€œWhen? Tonight?”
    â€œWell, yeah, you dork. Not after the next Crusades.”
    â€œNah, tonight’s no good. Nono’s niece is getting married, and I’m invited . . . ”
    â€œHey . . . Just let us know if we’re in the way, all right?”
    â€œYou’re not, not at all! It’s really great you’re here. We’ll work something out . . . Nono!”
    Nono turned around, slowly.
    â€œDo you think it would be at all a bother if my brother and sisters came along this evening?”
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    Nono stared at us for the longest time, then said, “He’s your brother?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œAnd they’re your sisters?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œThey still virgins?”
    â€œHey, Nono, that’s not what I asked you! Shit, man . . . Do you think they can come tonight?”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œOh, fuck, this guy’s gonna drive me crazy—my brother and sisters!”
    â€œCome where?”
    â€œTo Sandy’s wedding!”
    Nono pointed his chin toward me and said, “Will she be coming, too?”
    Gulp.
    Why do I get stuck with the horrible Gollum?
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    Vincent slumped in despair.
    â€œHe drives me crazy. Just recently, I don’t know how he did it, there was this kid who got stuck in the suit of armor and we had to call the fire department . . . What are you laughing about? You’re not the ones who have to deal with him every day, all right?”
    â€œSo why are you going to his niece’s wedding, then?”
    â€œI have no choice. He’s really sensitive, you know. Yeah, yeah, go ahead and laugh, my lady virgins . . . Say, Simon, they haven’t changed, these two, have they . . . Besides, his mother gives me loads of really good stuff. Terrines, vegetables from her garden, salami . . . If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t survive.”
    I could not believe my ears.
    â€œAnyway, this is all very well, but I’ve got to count up the money in the cash register, clean the toilets, help the dumbbell rake the walks, and lock all the doors.”
    â€œHow many are there?”
    â€œEighty-four.”
    â€œWe’ll help.”
    â€œHey, cool. There’s a rake over there, and for the toilets, you take the hose.”
    We rolled up the sleeves of our fine apparel and got to work.

 
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    I think we’re looking good. Do you want to go for a swim?”
“Where?”
    â€œThere’s a stream, down there . . . ”
    â€œIs it clean?” asked Lola.
    â€œYou sure the foxes don’t piss in it?” I added.
    â€œExcuse me?”
    We weren’t too hot about the idea.
    â€œAre you going?”
    â€œI go every evening.”
    â€œOkay, we’re coming.”
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    Simon and Vincent were walking ahead.
    â€œI have a vinyl of MC5 for you.”
    â€œNo, really?”
    â€œI do, yeah.”
    â€œFirst pressing?”
    â€œYup.”
    â€œAwesome. How did you find it?”
    â€œZounds, there is nothing too grand for our lord and master.”
    â€œYou coming for a swim?’
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œHey, girls! You coming for a swim?”
    â€œNo way, not while that maniac is in the neighborhood,” I murmured to Lola.
    â€œNo, we’ll just watch!”
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    â€œHe’s around here somewhere,” I muttered, clenching my teeth. “I can feel it. He’s staring at us, from behind the bushes . . . ”
    My sister just laughed.
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    â€œPinch me, I must be dreaming, I swear . . . ”
    â€œYou already told us to pinch you, we got it. Go on, sit down.”
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    Lola pulled the trashy magazine from my bag and looked up our horoscope.
    â€œYou’re Aquarius, aren’t you?”
    â€œHuh? What?” I went, turning around abruptly to scare off Nono the onanist.
    â€œRight . . . are you listening?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œ Be on