I stopped in front of the gate posts, lit a cigarette, and stared along the drive at the house. The lights in her bedroom were on and for a moment I just sat there, imagining Anne in bed and wondering if I was about to make a stupid mistake and spoil everything between us. What would a woman like her want with a man who owned as pitifully little as I? Apart from bridge lessons.

I almost turned around and drove away. Instead I drove slowly up the drive and stopped the engine. Discretion might be the better part of valor, but it has no business between men and women on a warm summer’s night on the French Riviera. I hoped I wouldn’t offend her, but being drunk I was willing to take that risk. So I opened the car door, stepped out, and cocked an ear. Coming from the guesthouse was the sound of a large radio and someone trying vainly to tune it to a more reliable frequency. A few moments later the radio was turned off, the door opened, and Anne came outside wearing just a short, almost see-through cotton nightdress. It was a very warm evening. The cicadas showed their appreciation of her cleavage and shapely legs with an extra loud click of their abdomens. I certainly felt like giving my own abdomen a bit of action, too.

“Oh, I’m glad it’s you,” she said. “I thought it might be the gardener.”

“At this time of night?”

“Lately he’s been giving me a funny look.”

“Maybe you should let him water the flower beds.”

“I don’t think that’s what he has in mind.”

“The heat we’ve been having? He’s in the wrong job.”

“Did you come here to mow my lawn, or just to talk?”

“Talk, I guess.”

“So, what’s your story?”

“I’m all out of stories tonight. Fact is, Anne, I’m feeling just a bit sad.”

“And you thought I might cheer you up, is that it?”

“Something like that. I know it’s a bit late.”

“Too late for bridge, I’d have thought.”

“I’m sorry, but I just wanted to see you.”

“Don’t apologize. Actually, I’m glad you’re here. I was feeling a little sad myself.” She paused. “I was listening to the BBC World Service news on the shortwave. And now that I have I wish I hadn’t. Apparently the Egyptians have nationalized the Suez Canal and closed it to all Israeli shipping.”

“What does that mean?”

“Well, for one thing, it means the price of oil is going to go up. But I think it also means there’s going to be a war.”

“When we haven’t finished paying for the last one? I doubt that.”