'What happened?' he asked.

Gemma tossed her head.

'Oh, just a stupid accident. I was on my way back with the coffee, when this young idiot barged into me and knocked it all over me. It was quite painful, and it stained my suit of course. I've washed it out, but I hate wearing wet clothes so I'm going to go home.'

'Was he the one who ran off?'

'Who? Oh, yes. The funny thing is he was standing there staring at you.' 'At me?'

'Yes. You were sitting there with your eyes closed, and this kid was standing on the boardwalk staring at you, as if you were some kind of star or something. Then he suddenly whirled round and ran straight into me with the coffee’

The word seemed to jolt Zen's memory. He looked up at the bar and directed the owner to bring them two coffees. The owner scowled and yelled inside for his wife.

'What did he look like, this man?' Zen asked Gemma.

She shrugged.

'Like anyone else that age.'

'What age?'

'About thirty, I suppose.' 'You don't remember anything else about him?' 'I only saw him for an instant. After that I was covered in scalding coffee and had other things to think about.' She reflected for a moment.

'He had something written on his shirt’ she said at last. 'What?'

‘I don't remember. Some slogan in English. What does it matter?'

Franco's wife brought their coffees. Zen smiled.

'It doesn't, as long as you're all right. If s just odd, that’s all. Nothing unusual ever happens here, and this is the second case today’

'What’s the first?'

"That man who's taken my place’

Gemma nodded.

'You should have called Franco, had him moved’ 'I didn't want to make a scene. What's the point? The Brunellis never come during the week anyway, so I just took their spot’ Gemma finished her coffee. 'Well, I'll be going,' she said. Zen stood up as she did.