There was a deep silence.

“And what could you possibly mean by that, you know-all?” Merceditas chided him.

Daniel grabbed Fermín’s arm and dragged him into the kitchen.

“It means that if men moved their brains a tenth of the times they move their mouths, this world would work much better,” said Sofía, who until that moment seemed to have had her head in the clouds, observing proper adolescent etiquette.

Señor Sempere turned his eyes toward that niece life had sent him to bless or torment his golden years. As so often happened, for a moment he thought he was seeing and hearing his Isabella through the ocean of time.

“Is that what they teach these days in the arts faculty?” asked Don Anacleto.

Sofía shrugged and returned to her limbo.

“God almighty, what a world awaits us,” the teacher said.

“Don’t worry, Don Anacleto. The world is always the same,” Señor Sempere reassured him. “The truth is, it doesn’t wait for anyone, and races past you at the first hurdle. How about a toast for the past, the future, and those of us who are between the two?”

Little Julián raised his glass of milk enthusiastically, seconding the proposal.

Meanwhile Daniel had cornered Fermín in the kitchen, far from the sight and hearing of the guests. “Can you tell me what the hell’s the matter with you, Fermín?”

“That woman isn’t what she says she is, Daniel. There’s something fishy going on here.”

“And what’s that, if you don’t mind my asking?”

“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out what shady ruse she’s plotting. I can smell it from here, like that cheap perfume Merceditas has showered herself with, vainly hoping to confuse the watchmaker and get him to leave fairyland.”

“And how do you plan to find out?”

“With your help.”

“No way. Don’t you dare get me mixed up in this.”

“You already are. Don’t let yourself be dazzled by the insidious femme fatale routine. She’s a minx, as sure as my name is Fermín.”

“May I remind you that the minx is my dear father’s guest of honor?”

“Aaaah . . . And have you asked yourself how this all too convenient coincidence came about?”

“I don’t know. And I don’t care. Coincidences don’t get questioned. That’s why they are coincidences.”

“Is that your meager intellect speaking, or your post-teenage glands?”

“What is speaking is common sense, which you must have had removed the same day as your shame.”

Fermín laughed sarcastically.

“She doesn’t do things by halves,” he declared. “She’s buttered up your father and you at the same time, and all in the presence of your beautiful wife.”

“Stop talking nonsense. They’re going to hear us.”

“Let them hear me,” cried Fermín, raising his voice. “Loud and clear.”

“Fermín, I beg you. Let’s have my father’s birthday in peace.”

Fermín screwed up his eyebrows and tightened his lips. “On one condition.”

“All right. What?”

“That you help me unmask her.”

Daniel rolled his eyes and sighed.