Calerie and I had lived in our apartment

For just over two years

We shared a balcony with number 86

Which was very lightly used

Until a blonde girl from New Zealand

Moved in with her pet cat

It appeared that the apartment

Was owned by Alison’s older brother

He had planned to sell it

Or at least take an income

As he was growing tired

Of the thousands of miles of travel

My partner immediately bonded with Louise

Who was a sleek white cat with deep blue eyes

She quickly invited our new neighbour to dinner

And we found out that she was a stone mason

Who had been part of a family of stone masons

Mainly based on the South Island in New Zealand

Alison worked mainly in churches and chapels

And was a very skilled artist in stone

She was always engaged for her delicate work

Some were repairs to original creations

Which had been damaged by the passing of time

She also designed her own friezes in light relief

And although Calerie saw more of her new friend

We spent many kind evenings on our shared balcony

Which overlooked the Lux Cinema and the Deux Trois Café

And was only a short walk from Le Parc aux Arbres Blancs