The Frenchman was thrilled with what he called "my progress." He was happy to see me and adored my sun kissed cheeks. He told me I had put on a touch of weight which suited me admirably. Dinner was wonderful and we ate and ate until I thought I would be sick. He knew the owner of the restaurant so we were treated like royalty. I asked him if his wife would make trouble for him if she heard that he was having dinner with a young woman. His eyes twinkled and he promised me that he wouldn't get into any trouble at all. I wonder what lies he told her.
We talked over everything that I had realized over the past week. The Frenchman was sympathetic but knowing. He just about restrained himself from saying "I told you so" but I could see he was bursting to.
At the end he said, "You know, Coquette, it is all a game, one great game. The greatest game, Coquette. This time you lost. Next time you will make sure everyone knows the rules or at least that you a dealing. Courage, Coquette, Courage and shuffle the cards."
He kissed me briefly three times on the cheek and put me in a car to my hotel. I am leaving early tomorrow, Tuesday, for London and I'll see the Captain. He knows I'm coming back and I have told him to meet me in Heathrow. He thinks that I'm just flying back from Italy and he's collecting me at the airport. What he doesn't know is that I'll be checked in for my flight to Beijing and that I'm leaving.
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