The terrace door is propped open for ventilation, which means it offers absolutely no resistance whatsoever. Aurora and Flavio waddle through without ceremony and stop just inside in the manner of health inspectors who have arrived unannounced and expect answers. The dining room smells of cut flowers and anticipation. Three staff members freeze mid-fold, napkins half-swanned. Flavio raises the boutonnière in a manner that is clearly meant to be official. One of the napkin-folders — a tall young woman with a paint smudge on her apron — opens her mouth, closes it again, then says something in Swedish. Aurora has not waited for the formalities. She is already investigating the centrepiece — a bowl of floating candles and rose petals — with her nose approximately one centimetre from the water. Flavio begins reorganising the nearest place setting according to his own system. The Observer steps through the door behind them, breathing slightly harder than intended, and surveys the scene with the expression of someone revising their definition of 'trailing at a careful distance.'