“And if they decide I’m ‘inappropriate’ or ‘unfit for human consumption’ you’ll tell me to get lost so your friends won’t be unhappy?”

So we’d reached that point already. Everything was ­happening too fast and there was no time for explanations, there at the door of the Parisien, standing between the impatient line of people waiting to go in and the noisy, unruly crowd that was coming out.

“There’s nothing to be scared of . . . They aren’t ogresses, you know, I’ve told you a lot about them . . .”

“I didn’t want to meet them all at once like that, in a gang. It’s terrifying . . . I was hoping you’d introduce them one at a time . . . But . . . I don’t care if you say it’s not an exam, I still feel as if I’m being judged!”

He was absolutely right.

Mélène came over, as discreetly as possible. She had that preoccupied look I never see on her except at moments of great importance. She smiled at Mathieu, the gorgeous smile, irresistible because it’s sincere, that she reserves for people she really cares for.

“If you don’t want to eat with us, we understand . . . We were just talking about it . . . It can’t be easy for you, Mathieu, meeting so many of us all at once . . . We’re not exactly shrinking violets . . .”

Oddly enough, Mathieu’s about-face didn’t surprise me at all. He heaved a sigh that sounded like one of relief and made an effort to return Mélène’s smile, hugging his chest as if he were cold.

“You’re right, it’s not easy . . . But since I’m here now I might as well be brave and go through with it . . . I need your help, though, my teeth are chattering! This is going to be one of the deepest dives I’ve ever taken!”