‘Yes. You could do worse. Natale’s not too lazy, not too stupid, not too ugly. He comes from a good family too. His father, Pancrace, was in charge of the clinic in Calvi for a long time, before he got divorced and went off to open another one on the Riviera. They say that Antoni Idrissi, your great-grandfather, gave him a thousand square metres on the Punta Rossa, in exchange for a coronary bypass that added five years to his life. Natale was angry with his father when his parents divorced, but here family is family, and before leaving for Italy, Pancrace left Punta Rossa to his son. People around here think of Natale as a gentle, enlightened type with his villa built below the lighthouse and all that stuff he does with dolphins. They see him as a charming idealist. But if you want my opinion, I think Natale is hiding his game – he looks like a dreamer so he doesn’t scare anyone. His plan to create a dolphin sanctuary, with boat trips to see the creatures close up, might work. Natale is sincere, people sense that, and they’re willing to pay through the nose for it. Sincerity. Authenticity. Yes, my love, your Natale is a bit of a gold-digger who’s hit pay-dirt, and he’ll go on whistling as if nothing’s happening, so that everyone doesn’t catch on. But Natale is also an old bachelor, much too old for you, my Clo.’

Basile says it in a considerate, incredibly gentle way.

‘I know … I know. But a guy like that is exactly what I want.’

‘You’ll find him. If you’re patient. If you know how to wait. Without revising your ambitions too much.’

‘He’s suggested we go and see the dolphins tomorrow morning, off La Revellata.’

‘Well say yes, then. Dive in! He might even need you.’

‘Me? Why?’

‘Have a good think. You’re not stupid. Why would he need you? And your mother too, I’d have thought.’

Is Basile already aware that Natale and my mother are flirting? Am I that stupid? Is it all right under my nose, does everyone know and I can’t see a thing?

‘Think about it, Clotilde. Natale has a grand project. A dolphin sanctuary, with a sort of aquarium, and a museum, so that people can study, conserve, and look after them. An eco-building to fit in with the seaside environment. Have a think, what does your mother do for a living?’

‘She’s an architect.’

‘And who does the land for his sanctuary belong to?’

‘My grandfather.’

‘Exactly, to my friend Cassanu. I know him very well, the old lunatic. Natale Angeli’s project could work, but Cassanu is suspicious, and he’s cautious. He won’t be an easy man to convince, he doesn’t like change.’

So if I’m following him correctly, Natale is using me and Maman to soften up Papé?