Her question amuses him, and he lets it show while gesturing, across half the bistro, for the head waiter to give him two times the usual, he has a guest with great taste. The man nods once, and leaves to give his compliments to the chef. Michel, meanwhile, turns his attention on Himeno. Until the wine comes, her entertainment is his responsibility. After that, who’s to say what will entertain her more – his old anecdotes or a better vintage!

“No one keeps count, Himeno,” he says her name like a particularly delicious biscuit, “because Paris makes lovers out of everyone.”