“I’m afraid you can’t star in our movie,” she said.

“I can’t?”

“No. In fact I can’t even imagine a small part for you.”

Cindy looked through the window. A flock of terns chose that moment to fly south. The sun reflected silver off their feathers.

“Thank God,” she said.

“What?” said Daeng.

“Your Civilai was so insistent,” said the woman. “I met him at one of our diplomatic social events. Several of them, in fact. He brought up the movie idea. I was totally against it but our head of mission suggested I cooperate. We can’t afford to upset your government given our shaky status here. I’ve only just arrived so I didn’t have much choice.”

“You’ve only just arrived?” said Daeng. “But your Lao is . . .”

“I was an IVS here in ’69. I was building latrines and laying pipes for a year up country. Not everyone bothered to learn the language. Most said it wouldn’t serve any purpose once we left. But I loved the sound of Lao and I have an ear for it, I guess.”

Daeng looked at the young woman: simple clothes, unfussy hairstyle, straight-talking, obviously older than she looked. She must have known what an effect her looks had on men, men like Civilai.

“Did he flirt with you?” Daeng asked.

“Civilai? Yes, he flirted. He flirted like old men flirt, happy enough with a smile and a blush and a peck on the cheek. Just enough to let him imagine being back there when he was twenty and still available.”

“He’s been married to the same woman for forty-four years,” said Daeng.

“Madam Nong. Yes, I know. He talked about her the first time we met. I got the feeling he was telling me he was happily married just in case I fell head over heels in love with him. He didn’t want to disappoint me.”

Daeng laughed.

“My Siri leaves it to the last minute to mention he’s already taken just to be sure the young ones fall for him, and they do. But he isn’t dangerous.”

They clinked their water glasses.

“I’ve read the script,” said Cindy. “I got a copy from the Women’s Union. My reading’s not that clever, but I got through it. A week with my head in a dictionary. But we don’t have a lot else to do at the consulate these days.”

“What did you think?” Daeng asked.

“Part historical, part political, part magical, part absolutely ridiculous. But what a ride. It would make a great movie.”

“You think so? We’ve only got the one camera.”

“I can help with budget.”

“You can?”