Le mal d'aimer

A bright August train pulls into Villers‑sur‑Mer, spilling out a family of three—mother, elder sister Colette and the lively France—who tumble onto the sun‑kissed platform with luggage piled high and the sea’s salty breath already stirring their thoughts. The scene sparkles with the carefree elegance of a seaside resort: fluttering umbrellas, crisp white dresses, and the distant green hills that promise a brief escape from the ordinary. Their arrival is marked by the hum of other holiday‑makers and the subtle tension of a family accustomed to smooth routines now confronting the restless energy of a new setting.

Among the crowd, France’s gaze catches a striking young man waiting beside a carriage, his confident bearing hinting at both charm and a hint of arrogance. The fleeting exchange of smiles plants a seed of intrigue, suggesting that the holiday may become a stage for unspoken desires and the delicate ache of love that can both uplift and unsettle. As the sisters navigate their luggage and the bustling promenade, the promise of romance begins to whisper through the warm breeze, setting the tone for an emotional journey that will test the heart’s resilience.