But grief affected them differently.
Luc wanted to remember Élise through stories.
He spoke about places they had visited and ordinary things she used to say.
Henri preferred silence.
When Luc mentioned her, Henri sometimes changed the subject.
When he visited Lausanne, he spent most of his time with Marc.
He repaired toys.
He fixed loose cupboard hinges.
He brought books.
He rarely spoke about the child’s mother unless Marc asked directly.
Luc gradually stopped trying.
Neither man intended to erase Élise.
But they created a silence around her.
Marc grew up knowing that his mother had died when he was very young.
He knew she had played piano.
He knew she had liked the mountains.
He knew she had laughed loudly.
He had photographs.
He had a few recordings.
But he did not know many of the things that made a person real.
What she had been afraid of.
What annoyed her.
How she behaved when she was tired.
Whether she liked her coffee strong.
He knew more about her death than her life.
As a teenager, he began resenting the silence.
He also began resenting his grandfather, whom he believed cared more about clocks than people.
Henri, for his part, found Marc increasingly difficult to understand.
The boy wore headphones through meals.
He slept late.
He spoke about music using technical terms that sounded foreign even when they were French.
He seemed offended by practical questions.
Whenever Henri tried to offer advice, Marc heard criticism.
Whenever Marc tried to discuss his ambitions, Henri heard financial irresponsibility.
Neither was entirely wrong.
Neither understood how much the other had already lost.
By October, Marc owed Romain Keller more than six thousand Swiss francs.
The money had accumulated through a series of poorly documented arrangements.
Some covered studio bookings.
Some involved external engineers.
Some were advances that Romain claimed had been paid on Marc’s behalf.
Marc had agreed to contribute to costs but had never signed a clear contract setting out the full amount.
The singer, Léa, had withdrawn from the project after disagreements about scheduling and creative control.
The release was postponed.
Romain wanted payment.
Marc believed the studio owner was charging him for work that had never been completed.
Romain insisted otherwise.
At first, they exchanged messages.
Then telephone calls.
Eventually, Romain sent a written demand.
Marc received it on a Tuesday afternoon.
The amount was 6,480 francs.
Payment was requested within ten days.
Marc read the letter in his room.
He felt sick.
He had less than four hundred francs left in his account.
He could not ask his father.
He could not ask Henri.
Not after the arguments.
He telephoned Romain.
The conversation lasted twenty-three minutes.
Marc disputed the amount.
Romain accused him of avoiding responsibility.
Both raised their voices.
Romain said he would consider formal recovery proceedings if the matter was not resolved.
Marc ended the call shaking.
He searched online for short-term loans.
The offers were expensive and unsuitable.
He contacted friends.
Two offered small amounts.
Others did not reply.
He considered selling his keyboard.
It would not cover the debt.
He looked around his room.
There was nothing else of significant value.
Then he remembered the pocket watch.
Eighteen-carat gold.
Early twentieth century.
Henri had said it was valuable.
Marc opened several auction websites.
He found watches with similar cases listed for thousands of francs.
Some were worth considerably more.
He did not understand the differences between listing prices, actual sale results, condition, originality, and provenance.
He saw only numbers.
He began thinking about the cabinet downstairs.
The locked glass.
The watch that did not even work.
The object his grandfather cared about more than almost anything else.
The first time Marc asked for money, Henri refused.
They were in the kitchen after supper.
Marc had waited until the dishes were cleared.
“Grandpa, I need to talk to you.”
Henri looked up.
“That sounds serious.”
“It is.”
Marc sat opposite him.
He explained part of the situation.
Not everything.
He said a project had encountered unexpected costs.
He said a studio owner was demanding payment.
He said he needed a loan.
Henri listened.
“How much?”
Marc hesitated.
“Six thousand.”
Henri’s eyebrows rose.
“Francs?”
“Yes.”
“For recording music?”
“For a project.”
“Do you have a contract?”
“Not exactly.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means we agreed on things, but not everything was written down.”
Henri removed his glasses.
“Marc.”
“Don’t start.”
“I’m asking questions.”
“You’re about to lecture me.”
Henri folded his glasses.
“Did you agree to pay the money?”
“Some of it.”
“Then you need to establish what you owe.”
“I know.”
“Have you asked for an itemised invoice?”
Marc hesitated.
“No.”
“Then do that first.”
“I need the money now.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s threatening legal action.”
Henri looked at him.
“Then you should not make another bad financial decision because you’re frightened of the first one.”
Marc stared.
“I knew you’d say something like that.”
“What would you prefer I say?”
“That you’ll help me.”
“I am trying to help you.”
