First things first, I made myself some steaming fragrant coffee and added cream from a small metal jug left out. Then I plopped a croissant on the plate, as well as butter and preserves, and sat at the small banquette along the wall. Dauphine found another plate and helped herself to some of the fruit and joined me.

“So, what’s the plan today?” I asked her, tearing an end off of a croissant and smearing it with butter and strawberry jam. I closed my eyes as I began to chew and let out a moan of appreciation.

“You love food so much.” Dauphine observed with a giggle.

“I don’t think you understand. In America we think we know how to make baguettes and croissants, but I can tell you for sure we do not. I’m planning on putting on some weight while I am here.” I patted my belly.

She laughed with delight. “But they make good hamburgers in America, no?”

“Perhaps. I’ll let you know after I have one here. So, you never answered. What’s the plan today?”

“We go to Antibes. We will anchor in the bay. Papa has a meeting.” She rolled her eyes. “We will stay on the boat today. Paco said there might be treasure. You’ll swim with me?”

I nodded.

“I am only allowed if someone comes in the water with me.”

“As long as it’s okay with your father and Paco. I’ll need to borrow sunscreen, I forgot to bring some.”

“We have much. I will show you.”

I finished off breakfast, draining my cup of coffee, and located the dishwasher. Like everything else in Chef’s kitchen, it was clean and empty, breakfast having already been cleaned up and put away. I loaded our plates and utensils and wiped the crumbs from the counter and the table.

Then Dauphine led me through another short hallway and to a door. She rapped sharply and opened it. “Papa?”

“No, Dauphine,” I hissed in a whisper when I realized she planned to go into his quarters. “It’s okay. Don’t disturb your father.”

She waltzed into the sunlight-filled room. “He is upstairs, I was just checking. He told me I must always knock when a door is closed.”

“Good advice.”