‘OK, OK. You’re right that I haven’t been out there for a long time. I have to get used to the idea first.’

Nina nods vigorously. ‘Yes, and I’m telling you – don’t just sit around waiting for the right guy to show up! That only happens in fairy tales.’

How wrong you are, my dear! That also happens when Carl-Leopold von Eschersbach sees to it personally. Then you don’t have to spend your evenings with a vet. So, girls, how about we finish up here so I can regale Mr Beck with my latest discoveries?

‘Say, do you think Hercules has to go?’ Nina looks at me musingly.

‘Why?’

‘Well, he’s suddenly started pacing around, and he seems so fidgety. Let’s hope he doesn’t leave a little package under your couch.’

‘Actually, I took him for a quick walk before you got here. But maybe we’re boring him. I can let him run in the garden; I have to go back to the workshop anyway.’

‘That’s a pity. I thought you might take a little time off and we could grab some coffee together.’

‘I’d love to – but I’ve really left Daniel hanging in the last few weeks. I have such a bad conscience.’

‘Oh, come on. You weren’t well, and Daniel was surely glad to be of help.’ Nina grins at Caroline and gives her a pat on the back.

‘You don’t have to look at me like that. Of course Daniel was glad to help, but I don’t want to put any more strain on him. He has enough on his plate. The reconstruction of Aurora’s violin alone will take forever.’

‘Well, boo hoo. Frankly, I’d rather see Daniel take care of you than work on that stupid violin belonging to an even stupider violinist.’

‘Aurora is an outstanding musician.’

‘She’s a nincompoop, and as if that weren’t bad enough, she keeps hitting on your partner,’ Nina insists.

‘Daniel is only my business partner. In his spare time, anyone who wants to hit on him can go ahead and do so.’

Nina rolls her eyes and sighs. ‘Yeah, yeah, likely story.’

‘Nina, don’t start that again. Daniel and I are friends, that’s all. Hercules, let’s go!’

•

‘Our ideal candidate has blue eyes and is good at kissing.’ I’m sitting in the sun next to Mr Beck and reporting my latest findings on the matters of humans and choosing a partner.

‘Then the issue is as good as settled. This’ll be child’s play. I’ll take a careful look at their eyes, and you kiss the guys. I just hope you have some way of judging what passes for good kissing.’

I give Beck a dirty look.‘Why do I get the feeling you’re not taking me seriously?’