'Puzzled'

Episode 25 - Obviously

Episode 25 - Obviously‘Le Negresco Hotel’, Nice, France, 27 December

I send the chambermaid away and get ready for diner. As it turns out, lunch I have missed already. Suddenly, I feel like going somewhere chic, a gourmet establishment of some sort with white crisp table clothes, polished silver wear, menus bursting a variety of French delicacies, and accommodating staff. Inspired by the painted image, I think of an appropriate place - Le Chantecler restaurant in the opulently elegant ‘Le Negresco Hotel’.

I don't have a reservation, but it doesn't discourage me. I call for a taxi and go downstairs. The hotel is just a fifteen-minute walk away but tonight I'm in the mood for a bit of indulgence.

At the entrance to the restaurant, a headwaiter greets me. A sound of clinking and clattering flows out of the Dinning Room. Schooled waiters move swiftly between the tables, serving their high-end clientele.

'Bonsoir, Mademoiselle, do you have a reservation?' the headwaiter asks.

'As a matter of fact, I don't ... ' I reply.

His eyebrow flies up.

'The thing is ... ' I say.

'Pardon, Monsieur, it's my fault. I haven’t told Mademoiselle about the reservation. It's under my name - Mohamed Al Murshidi.'  the young Arab, I watched this morning at breakfast, joins in, unexpectedly appearing at the entrance.

The headwaiter marks something in his list and motions us to follow him.

The Arab lets me before him. The Dining Room is full: the devotees of French gastronomy made up of families, couples, and groups of friends, seem to occupy each and every table.

Mohamed's table is set for one but this ‘slip’ is instantly corrected. The headwater waves his hand and as if by magic a second set appears on it.

We sit down.

'Thank you very much. It's most kind of you,' I say, 'I'm afraid without your intervention I wouldn't be able to dine here tonight.'

'My pleasure, but, honestly, even without my intervention you'd be perfectly fine tonight.' he replies, his English impeccable.

'Well, I don't know ...  In this case, you might be slightly overestimating the power of feminine charm.' I say, throwing a look around. The restaurant is fully booked for tonight.

'I'm afraid, it has nothing to do with feminine charms, but with money.' he replies with a grin.

'Do you mean that I've got enough money to go around and bribe headwaiters in such restaurants like this one?'

‘Yes,' He nods. 'I dare say that even if you didn't, you'd still find a way to accommodate in your budget for such an occasion.'

'Really? Why so?' I ask, surprised by his shrewdness.

'But it's obvious.' he replies.

'What’s obvious?'

'Well, that you’re an assertive and rather determined woman ... '