Across the road, soft lights lined the footpath through the park of the old bastion, under sphinx-topped marble columns. Apart from waiting taxis there was little traffic at this time of the night in the old city, completing Kate’s impression that she had travelled back in time to a grander period. Reality intruded into the dreamlike quality of the evening in the form of a chilly wind, but Kate felt immune to it all. With her new jacket pulled tightly against her chest and Sebastien standing close beside her, she was warmed by an inner glow. Simon kissed Kate on both cheeks and gave Sebastien a friendly pat on the arm. “This is where you two finally get a chance to be alone together,” he said with a wry smile. “I’ve already been your accompaniment through a lovely dinner and Michelle’s first opera and I think it’s high time that I leave you in peace and head home. I’ve managed to monopolise two of your evenings already now.” “You haven’t monopolised tonight at all,”
