The New Girlfriend (Une nouvelle amie) (Une nouvelle amie)

THE NEW GIRLFRIEND

Laura was my best friend.

My friend for life.

The moment we met,

it was love at first sight.

Because it was her...

and it was me.

We were only seven,

but we knew we'd be together forever.

Please welcome your new classmate, Laura.

Back to our grammar lesson.

Regular verbs.

Who can give me a regular verb?

Together forever...

Hey, Laura!

What's wrong?

May the Lord strengthen your vows.

May his spirit move you to serve him in harmony together.

I bless this union

in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

United in holy matrimony...

these rings will forever symbolize your love.

In the name of the Father,

the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Laura...

As we did when we were children,

we made a pact.

I made you a promise.

And that promise, Laura,

I will keep.

As long as I live,

I will watch over your daughter Lucie

and her father David.

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Claire, time for work.

Get up.

I don't want to go.

Make an effort.

You need to get your mind off it.

OK?

See you tonight.

See you tonight.

Here we are!

Bravo.

Everything ok?

Yes. But I wanted to tell you...

I took a week off.

Really?

I can't concentrate.

Don't worry, I understand.

Have you called David?

No.

Maybe you could go see him.

Help him with his daughter.

I'm scared...

of seeing Lucie.

She reminds me so much of Laura.

Dinner was great, thanks.

You hardly ate a thing.

But it was delicious.

Thanks.

- Do you want to? - Yes.

Are you sure?

Of course I am.

This is David, I can't come to the phone...

Anyone home?

Hello madam, I...

Sorry, I won't bother you.

No, Claire, wait!

Stay. Let me explain.

You don't have to explain.

Please, hear me out.

I'll just put Lucie down.

Make yourself a drink.

She's sleeping.

I'll have a drink too.

First of all,

Laura knew.

Seriously?

I know she told you everything, but not this.

Before we were married,

I confessed to her that...

I sometimes dress as a woman.

Just occasionally, for fun.

For pleasure.

She accepted it.

The only thing she asked

was that I don't do it in public.

So now that she's dead!

Claire,

I've never left this house as a woman.

No one has ever seen me.

Except you, today.

By accident.

While Laura and I were together,

I stopped feeling the need.

Her presence,

her femininity, were enough.

I loved her so much.

When she died it started again.

Very naturally.

It started a week after the funeral.

I was with Lucie in my room.

I tried to give her a bottle.

She was screaming.

She'd barely eaten in two days.

That's when I realized she missed Laura.

Just like I did.

This is Mommy's blouse.

Suddenly,

the pain of her absence

was gone.

Laura's perfume,

her clothing...

A wave of serenity washed over me.

It was like she was there.

Talking to me.

She was in me.

Raising a child alone is too hard.

I just thought

I could provide a maternal presence.

Every child needs a mother.

And a father.

I'm doing both.

It's temporary.

To soften the blow of losing Laura

while we adjust to her absence.

You're not doing this for Lucie.

It's for your own pleasure.

You're a pervert.

You may be right.

Claire, please! Don't tell anyone, not even Gilles.

I don't know.

Laura's parents might try to take Lucie away.

I love her so much.

I know.

I'd like you to understand.

The way Laura always did.

Stop bringing Laura into it.

Hi, honey.

How are you?

You smell good.

So, what'd you do today?

Nothing much.

- Did you go out? - Yeah...

- I saw a friend. - Really, who?

You don't know her. A friend from school.

Did she know Laura?

Vaguely.

How was your day?

I'm beat.

We're swamped at work.

Good.

I forgot to mention...

- What? - I called David.

You didn't, so I did.

I invited him out to dinner with us. Cheer him up a little.

What'd he say?

He's up for it, he just has to find a babysitter.

He hasn't been out once since Laura died.

- When did you talk? - On my way home.

It's yours.

Not answering?

Sure.

Claire, it's me.

You're crazy, using her number!

Sorry. I wanted to be sure you'd answer.

What is it? Why are you calling?

I need to see you again.

It felt really good talking to you. Sharing it with you.

Honey, I'm off.

I'll call you back.

- Please, Claire... - I'll drop by later.

Who was it?

That friend I mentioned. She's a mess right now.

- What's up? - Husband problems.

What's her name?

Virginia.

See you tonight.

Have a good day.

Thanks.

Who's there?

Me, Claire.

Come in.

Thanks for coming.

- Wearing Laura's perfume? - Yes.

And Laura's dress?

Yes, I let it out.

Like it?

You called me to show me the dress?

Among other things.

Time for a bottle.

Sit down, I'll get Lucie.

I love your lipstick. It suits you.

Thanks.

Coming, Lucie!

Look who's here.

Your godmother, Claire.