2 The perfect patisserie

Chapter 2 The perfect patisserie "Cuck-OO!" Tempo flew off over the River Seine. She loved exploring new places, just as much as the Timekeepers. Hannah flipped open her watch. The screen said they had arrived in Paris in 1889. Her sneakers were gone. Now she wore black ankle boots, fastened with

tiny buttons. Instead of jeans and a sweater, she wore a cherry-red jacket and matching skirt, which had layers of petticoats underneath to make it stick out. Jackson's brown boots and long red socks were topped by blue pants ending just below his knees. He had a striped jacket and a straw hat. He grinned. "This is not what I usually wear."

"The History Hub always gives us the perfect outfits so that we fit in," said Hannah. "I like your gold jacket buttons." "They're a little fancy," Jackson said. He grinned. "I like your hat." "What?" Hannah reached up to find a red beret perched on top of her head. "Oh, this is very French. I like it." They had satchels over their shoulders, so they checked inside to see what they'd been given. "I've got tickets, pencils, and a notebook," said Hannah. "And there's a paper bag of raisins in the front pocket— Tempo's favorite treat!" "I've just got a notebook and pencils," said Jackson. "If we've got time, I might sketch the

Eiffel Tower," Hannah said, gazing up at the massive construction. Its crisscrossing beams reminded her of the lattice top that her parents put on peach pies, using strips of pastry. She'd seen the tower lots of times in books and movies, but now she was seeing it for real. Except... "It doesn't look right," she said, as Tempo returned to her shoulder. The tower rose high above everything else, but... "Of course!" Hannah exclaimed. "It's not finished. The top's missing!"

Tempo made a noise like a cross between a squawk and a cackle. "What was that squackle sound about?" Hannah asked, tickling the bird's head. "I think she's telling us to go and look around!" Jackson said, pointing to a board saying 'Admission'—the French word for 'Entrance? Painted on it was an arrow pointing beneath the Eiffel Tower. "Good idea, Tempo! Maybe we'll find DeLay and discover what our mission is," Hannah said. "Hmm, though it looks like the fair's not open yet," Jackson said as they got closer to the tower. "See? It's just people with tools and carts going through." "We can try to sneak in," Hannah

said eagerly. "Maybe they won't notice us." Jackson laughed. "With a cuckoo on your shoulder?" "Maybe I can coax her into my bag." Hannah stroked Tempo's chest and said, "Would you like a tasty treat?" Her gray head bobbed. "Cuck-er-uck-oooo!" "She's definitely feeling hungry!" said Jackson. Hannah helped Tempo to snuggle inside her satchel. Leaving the bag's flap open, she tucked in a few plump raisins. They walked past the kiosk, but a man with a droopy mustache told them, "We're not open yet. Only workers