My audience are appreciative, laughing and egging me on. Filomena tells us about the tricks she used to play on her governess and I can almost see Hero making notes. Instead of being horrified, my uncle laughs the loudest of anyone. Only Ursula seems largely unmoved, her dark eyes watchful as she leans forward, resting her chin on her hand. Occasionally a half smile will tug at her lips but for the most part she seems almost bored.

“Your turn,” I say to Klaus. “Now you know all about me.”

“Klaus and Ursula are Austrian,” Leo says as he gets to his feet to pour out more drinks. “Filomena met them on her last visit to Vienna.”

“Oh.” I sit up straight. “I would love to visit Vienna.”

“You must,” Klaus says. “I shall be your guide. We will go to the Prater and I will win you a goldfish.”

“I’d rather go to the university’s botanical gardens,” I say eagerly. “I expect you’ve been so many times that the novelty has worn off, but I would find it fascinating. The Empress Maria Theresa had it built in 1754 for the practical study of medicinal plants, but it has grown so much since then, and I believe that the greenhouses hold a particularly interesting collection of carnivorous plants.”

Klaus looks startled. “Indeed. I am sure it would be a fascinating experience.”

A now-familiar voice joins the conversation. “Of course you’d be more interested in the man-eating plants than the amusement park.”

Ben. He stands beside the table, one hand in his pocket. I notice that he has not made any effort to smarten up his clothes for dinner – and somehow he makes everyone else look overdressed.

“They’re not man-eating,” I try and correct him. “They largely eat insects or other arthropods.”

But a chorus of delight greets Ben’s arrival, swallowing up my response. Even Ursula unbends enough to favour him with a slow smile.

“Ben.” Her voice is throaty as she holds out a hand to him, which he takes and squeezes in his own, before greeting the others.

“He is charming, our Ben, no?” says Klaus, close to my ear.

“So everyone keeps saying.”

“It seems you are the only one immune to him.” Klaus grins, watching the blonde girl move to make room for him, smiling and fluttering at his attention.

“Yes, he was quite keen to assure me of that.” I meet Klaus’s gaze and roll my eyes.

Klaus chuckles and Ben’s eyes flicker in our direction. “What are you two talking about?” he asks.

“You, of course.”

“What could be more interesting?” he says smoothly. He turns to the girl on his left and for the first time I see his famous charm at work. He turns it on her like a spotlight, laughing at her jokes, teasing her, drawing her out so that soon she is laughing and blushing.