“So, what do you think about a romantic boat trip on the Seine?” Théo suggested as they strolled along the riverbank during the last part of the evening. “Seeing a bit of Paris from the water – that would be something, right?”
Éloïse beamed. “Sounds perfect! And this time without lost tickets, I hope.”
Marceau grinned broadly. “I know a little boat rental just around the corner. No big yachts, just a small electric boat. Totally relaxed and uncomplicated.”
As soon as they agreed on a boat, they were already standing at the dock. The small boat looked harmless at first glance – a bit wobbly, but charming. The boat rental guy gave them a brief instruction on how to operate the steering, and then they set off.
“Okay, I’ll take the wheel,” Théo said confidently, reaching for the steering wheel. “How hard can it be?”
Éloïse sat down next to him while Marceau dropped onto the bench at the back and admired the passing city. “Looks pretty relaxed, doesn’t it?”
But barely a few meters from the shore, it became clear: the boat had a mind of its own. Théo tried to turn the wheel, but the boat responded sluggishly – or rather, not at all the way he wanted.
“Um... Éloïse, did you do something with the steering?” Théo asked slightly panicked.
“No! But I think this thing doesn’t really want to.” Éloïse reached to the side and noticed that the speed lever was stuck.
“Great, that’s a fantastic start,” muttered Marceau, who was now trying to steer the boat with a paddle. “I think I made it worse.”
Suddenly the boat jerked forward – straight towards a small bridge under which a few tourists were standing, taking photos.
“Stop! Stop!” Théo shouted, frantically pulling the wheel, but the boat barely turned. With a loud screech, they narrowly scraped past the bridge wall and glided further downstream, now at quite a speed.
“Okay, this is no longer a romantic boat ride. This is more like an action movie!” Éloïse laughed, although her heart was racing.
“Help!” shouted Marceau, who had now half stood up to get a better view. “How do we stop this thing? Is there an emergency button?”
“No idea! I’m not a captain!” Théo shouted back.
In the next moment, a colorful crowd appeared ahead – it was the annual street festival taking place along the Seine. Musicians played, people danced, and everywhere hung strings of lights that bathed the river in a warm, golden glow.
The boat was rushing straight toward the festival. “Slow down!” Éloïse screamed as she tried to warn the people with outstretched arms.
But the boat just wouldn’t calm down. Instead, it bumped with a strong jolt against the dock marking the stage of the street festival. A few musicians jumped aside in surprise, and a juggler almost dropped his clubs.
“Oh no, we’re the unwilling stars!” Marceau shouted and jumped up to somehow brake the boat.
Théo desperately tried to control the steering while Éloïse grabbed a rope to tie the boat to the dock. After a few hectic minutes, they actually managed to stop the boat – right in the middle of the festival hustle and bustle.
The crowd stared at them, some laughed, others clapped as if the whole thing had been planned that way. An older man with an accordion grinned broadly and shouted, “Bienvenue à la fête! You are our special guests!”
Éloïse took a deep breath and grinned back. “Well, if that’s not a chaotic start to the evening.”
Théo shook his head. “Well, I think next time we better leave the boating to the professionals.”
Marceau nodded in agreement, but then his gaze fell on a small stage where a microphone had just become free. “Hey, maybe we can still join in...”
Before anyone could answer, the microphone was handed to him, and the music started playing again.
“Um... what now?” Éloïse whispered as she clung to the wheel and the crowd looked at them expectantly.