Chapter 27

- "Marta." I said, rising to my feet. "You look ... marvelous."

She did, too. Marta preferred low-cut dresses, or peasant blouses, which revealed about six or seven inches of cleavage. Simple, but supremely effective.

- "It's been so long." she said, presenting her cheek for a kiss.

- "You haven't changed." I said. A bit of a lie, but forgivable, under the circumstances.

- "What an unusual place." she said.

- "Wait until you've tried the soup." I said. "The bread is fresh-baked, across the street. And you have to try the beer. I know you drink expensive wines, but please - have a beer with me. For old time's sake?"

There's an old saying about girls from my neighbourhood: you can take the girl out of the Bottoms, but ... I suppose you can guess the rest. Yes, it's rather rude. Try substituting the 'F'-word for 'take'.

Marta smiled; I think she was genuinely pleased to see me.

- "I