“Technically I’m not a lawyer, I’m a trainee prosecutor and, between ourselves, it’s not at all certain that I’m going to become a lawyer. Anyway, I do have a briefcase, a rather nice one, that I was given when I graduated. I use it when I go to the courthouse in the morning.”

We reached her car, a cream-coloured Alfasud somewhat past its prime, parked a hundred yards from my office.99

As we set off I realized I didn’t know what her name was. Maybe she’d told me and I’d been so drunk by then that it hadn’t registered. To avoid making a gaffe, I decided to proceed with caution and guile.

“You know, I don’t have a very clear memory of all the things I said to you the other night.”

She gave a quick laugh. “I don’t think you remember anything you said the other night.”

“Was I … indiscreet?”

“That’s what I find adorable about you. I mean, the way you express yourself. Obviously it’s something to do with the circles you mix in, but there’s a touch of irony I find irresistible.”

“I’m pleased you find it irresistible, but just to put ourselves on an equal footing, could you give me a summary of the most … let’s say, the most embarrassing things I told you?”

“What’s my name?”

“I’m sorry?”

“My name. What’s my name?”

There it was. She had me.

“Actually, I was just thinking… Yes, I know, I’m making a fool of myself, but I’m sorry, I can’t remember…”

“I didn’t tell you. And to tell the truth you didn’t ask me. But it was an amusing chat, you made me laugh a lot. That’s such an unusual thing that I thought: let’s see if he makes me laugh even when he isn’t drunk, this young lawyer Guido. Or if it’s just down to the wine.”

Before telling me her name and providing me with a bit more information about herself, she waited until we were sitting over the double-purpose (service and bill) paper tablecloth. Her name was Lorenza, she’d graduated in Letters with a thesis on classical philology, she was a substitute high-school teacher, gave private lessons in Latin and Greek, wrote short 100stories for literary magazines, and also worked as a freelance editor for a number of publishers.

“I’m a country boy, so I hope you’ll excuse the question, but what does a freelance editor do?”