'Puzzled'

Episode 42 - Infatuation

Episode 42 - InfatuationSaracen fort, Saint-Tropez, France, 29 December

Strolling along side Mohammed, I can’t stop thinking of the ‘charming young man’.

Back in the car, I didn’t think my romantic fantasies would ever materialise. But, apparently, they did. Though, perhaps, my encounter with the ‘charming young man’ in the harbour of the posh Provençal village wasn’t quite what one would call ‘romantic’, but it certainly was real.

And what if our incidental meeting wasn’t coincidental? What if it was written in the stars?

Well, it’s a shame really that I don't have a yacht of my own anchored in the harbour of Saint-Tropez. If I had I could have thrown a New Year’s Eve party on it and would have invited the ‘charming young man’ from the wonderful ‘Rosalinda’ to it.  I just wonder in whose honour he's called his yacht? Perhaps, in the honour of his girlfriend, one of many romantic infatuations of his, but more brilliant and intense than others ...

We walk up the hill and end up in the old chestnut tree garden where peacocks unhurriedly stroll. Their extravagant eye-spotted tails lightly rock back and forth against the sea breeze. Admiring the peacocks, I suddenly think of their resemblance to Mohammed. An idea strikes me.

'Do you know who's the owner of the yacht, anchored opposite yours?' I ask Mohammed.

'Which one?'

'"Rosalinda"...' I say.

'’Rosalinda’?'

'Yes. You know, the small one, but modern and very elegant ... Somewhat resembles a white swan ... '

'A white swan... Why the swan?' he asks, surprised.

'Well, as gracious,' I reply.

Mohammed falls silent for a moment, then gets his smartphone out and punches in some number.

'Gaspard,' he throws into the phone, 'do you know who's the owner of the ‘Rosalinda’ opposite us?

Hearing the answer, Mohammed turns to me and says: 'Your ‘white swan’ belongs to some Monsieur Moreau.'

The name isn't at all what I've imagined. But then again, when do all our fantasies precisely match the reality?

'I'll send an invitation to him. Let's see what this ‘white swan’ of yours is all about,' Mohammed mutters and strides away towards the exit.