A few customers were sitting over their coffee and digestifs. Alexander, at the back of the restaurant, looked up and waved when he saw me. Gracefully, he manoeuvred his lanky frame between the tables. A real pro, I thought.
“Osseee!” From his beaming face, the term was endearing. “You eat late tonight?”
“Just a coffee, Alexander, if that’s OK, and… a favour.”
He looked perplexed.
I laughed. “I have a question”.
“Ne… I get coffee and you ask me favorrr.”
I brought out my sachet and laid the tiny stone on a paper serviette. When Alexander returned with my coffee, he eyed it with curiosity. I offered him a seat opposite me. Madeleine and I had previously told him the outline of our odyssey to Kos, and I filled in some of the details, beginning with the stone, though I only hazily sketc
