26

In the garden opposite the swimming pool the usual stage has been erected. This evening a local singer is performing, accompanied by three musicians. She is an elegant woman in her fifties.

Dotted about the seats, people are following the excellent performance with interest.

Fred, Mick and Lena are sitting at one of the small tables, quietly listening to the woman giving a wonderful rendition of “Lili Marlene”.

His face devoid of any expression, Jimmy Tree stands to hear the song. He is serious, concentrating, whispering the words of the song in German. He knows them off by heart.

Then he senses a presence to his left. He turns round. The silent German woman is staring at him with one hand held out as if inviting him to dance. He smiles and goes up to her. They start the slow dance.

The woman’s husband, sitting at another little table, is a mass of seething rage, consumed by jealousy.

Intrigued, Fred and Mick stare at the actor and the woman as they continue to dance.

Jimmy whispers in the woman’s ear by way of observation, without any intention to seduce, “Did you know that’s a wonderful perfume you’re wearing?”

From a distance Mick and Fred are waiting for the woman to say something.

Embarrassed, she makes no reply, but clings to him a little more tightly. Jimmy also holds her more closely and while he dances he closes his eyes and lets himself drift away. From their table, Kozelek and his friends look on with intense expressions.

The hippy mountaineer clumsily pretends to walk past Fred and Mick, but it is obvious he is making a tortuous detour only to catch sight of Lena. She does not even notice him. Despite being an expert mountaineer, in his anxiety he trips up on a table leg, but manages not to fall.

“Lili Marlene” comes to an end. The German woman beams at Jimmy, who smiles back. They break up from the dance.

She goes back to her husband. He glares at her. She avoids his gaze.

Jimmy Tree sits himself down next to Fred with a tisane. They exchange a knowing look, plainly revealing the sympathy they have for one another.

“Is that a simple tisane or is it laced with gin and tonic?”

“Simple one. I’m trying to be a good boy.”

Fred smiles. “What a pity!”

He blows his nose in his usual fashion. Jimmy watches.

“How’s work coming along on your character?” Fred asks.

“Well . . . not bad. I’ve found some interesting details.”

“Excellent.”

“This morning, that girl who was dancing by herself. I saw her as well. It was something . . . well, it was something . . .”

“. . . Unforgettable.”

“That’s it. That’s exactly the right word. Unforgettable.”

Jimmy finishes his tisane and takes his leave with his usual playful military salute. Fred grins at him, but Lena quickly wipes the smile off his face.

“Perhaps the problem is that Julian and I never had children.”