Nicky, Nicky, Nine Doors

Simone remembers all too well her early teenage years and the anxiety she felt at trying to fit in. Her efforts included playing a game of knocking on doors and running away that ended in being cornered in an elevator with the very irate mother of a baby. Seems this young mother felt, justifiably, quite upset by the intrusions that occurred with frightening regularity at baby's naptime. Ever since, Simone has quaked inwardly when it came to knocking on a stranger's door.

Still, she had to do it. It was either that or going back to the car to face a tired baby and his stressed dad. The first house residents did not know anyone on the rue des Cytises. They were able, however, to inform Simone that the street she was currently on was named after a different sort of flower. The number of houses was thus reduced.

On a whim, Simone walked briskly to the other end ot the street and knocked on the door of the first house that appeared to be occupied.

"Hello, do you know M. and Mme G.?" asked Simone. "They live in Paris, have three grown children and spend August here."

Three children ran circles around the woman's feet. "I don't know them," she said regretfully. "But I can tell you one thing. They do not live in this house, that house, that house, that house or that house."

Simone thanked her and went to the first house not included in the negative list. She approached the door and hesitated. A stroller stood outside the door. This was unlikely to be her aunt and uncle's house. Still, she decided to knock, if only for further information.

"Simone!" her uncle exclaimed when he answered the door.

"Why do you have a stroller?" she asked, pleased as punch to have found the right house but puzzled by the presence of the item.

"It's for you!" said Simone's aunt. "How did you find our house? You didn't have our address!"

"Or your phone number," added Simone. She turned around and waved to her husband that this was the right place. "But we found you! And it's a long story!"

"You can tell us over cocktails," smiled Simone's uncle.

And so she did.