Alandra had been gone for six minutes.

Their table was already crowded with two half-eaten cakes, scones with strawberry jam, and a plate of biscuits. Alandra had decided that none of it was quite enough for four people, especially when they intended to stay and talk for a while. She had gone back to order another pot of tea and a few more things from the display.

Mitya knew how long she’d been gone because he had checked the time twice. The first time, he had wanted to see whether the cafe still had the little strawberry cakes she liked. The second time, he had looked up from his phone, noticed that she was still at the counter, and begun paying attention to the man standing beside her.

“Who’s that?” he asked.

Albedo followed his gaze. “I don’t know.”

“Does she know him?”

“She doesn’t appear to.”

Lohen set down his cup. “He’s been talking to her since she got in line.”

They watched Alandra smile at something the man said. She had only meant to order more tea, cakes, and snacks for their table. Somehow, that errand had turned into a conversation involving the man’s phone, a great deal of eye contact, and Alandra nodding as though she had all afternoon to listen.

“She thinks he’s being friendly,” Mitya said.

“She thinks most people are being friendly,” Lohen replied.

“He may be,” Albedo said, acting like the sanest man at the table. Knowing fully well from books and research he read that when people were in a relationship, they should be trusting each other. He did trust her, he knew how much she loves him and his two friends.

Well, that didn’t mean he trusted the strangers.

The man leaned closer to show Alandra something on his screen. She laughed, they all could hear it. “He may be,” Albedo repeated, “but I would prefer to find out what he’s showing her.”

All three stood.

Alandra, meanwhile, had no idea that anything remarkable was happening. The man beside her had recommended the chocolate cake, asked whether she was visiting the neighbourhood, and offered to show her photographs of a garden a few streets away. It was apparently quite beautiful at this time of year. She was considering whether the four of them might walk there after tea.

“So the flowers are blooming?” she asked. “Even during autumn?”

“They started last week.” He scrolled through his pictures. “I can send you the address. What’s your number?”

“Oh, you don’t need to trouble yourself. I can look it up.”

“It’s no trouble.” He gave her another smile. “Maybe I could show you around.”