The Perfumist of Paris

Radha reflects on the previous months as she prepares to visit Agra on business. She, Delphine, Sheela, and Gérard have identified five other women for the Remember Me fragrance collection that Radha works on exclusively. After a heart-to-heart with Delphine about her marital situation, Delphine helped set Radha up in one of her many real-estate investment properties to ease her transition and allow her to stay focused at work. Radha’s daughters live with Florence, and she and Pierre spend alternate weeks with them so their routine remains as consistent and supportive as possible. Shanti helps Asha cope and they have adjusted, though each still misses having their parents together. Shanti recognizes that living with a person with irreconcilable differences is unhealthy and does not fault her parents’ choice.

It is hot in Agra, but Radha finds comfort in the vetiver screens and fans throughout Havi and Nasreen’s haveli. Binu serves their meal, and when Lakshmi arrives with her cousin Malik, the entertainment begins, and Radha knows she is home.

At the perfumery, Malik and Lakshmi shop for