“A lovely turquoise ring is what I need,” the Maitre d’ said.  He was very obvious as he stared at Flora’s ring. “May I,” he said as he reached down and picked up her hand. He held her hand close to his face as he looked at the ring.

Flora turned to the Maitre d’ in what Bernice thought was a flirtatious manner. Couldn’t Flora see that he was a pig, a big, huge one as a matter of fact. But, truly the fellow did have exquisite manners, probably better manners than most men she knew, certainly better manners than Colonel Barkerding, that fool. She wondered if it would be acceptable for Flora to date the Maitre d’. Flora was certainly enthralled with him, and the fellow seemed genuinely attracted to her. What on earth could they tell their friends? Well, truthfully Flora was happily married to Morgan Kleinpeter. She wouldn’t go out with anyone else.  Or would she?

Bernice knew that Flora had poor eyesight. Couldn’t she see that the Maitre d’ was holding her hand with a delicate hoof. He was holding it very close to his face as though he had poor eyesight too. Maybe they would make an ideal couple! Well, this day had certainly been an adventure. She had even forgotten why they had come down to the old village.  Why had they gone to the Harry Potter Magic Shop? Then the haughty proprietor had suggested this restaurant, the ‘Cochon Rose.’ Everything was just following some strange plan.

The Maitre d’ put down Flora’s hand gently. “Absolutely, exquisite, my dear, a beautiful ring. Now I wonder if I personally could bring you ladies our own special flaming ‘Cochon Rose’ dessert?”

Before Bernice could say anything, Flora answered for them. “That would be wonderful.  It certainly sounds interesting.”

“I will be a few minutes. The flaming ‘Cochon Rose’ takes a little preparation.  Actually, I am the only one in the restaurant who knows how to prepare this treat. It is my own recipe, and I can’t show any of the cooks in the kitchen how to do it. In fact, I make them all turn away when I prepare it. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

When he left the table, Bernice said, “I don’t think I have enough money to pay for a special dessert.” Flora said, “Oh don’t worry, honey. This is obviously his treat.”

When the Maitre d’ came back to the table, he flamed the ‘cochon roses’ and he said, “My turquoise earrings match your ring.”