The following day, when we woke up we didn’t find any breakfast.

Usually there was a big bowl of porridge, some sadly burnt scones and a big coffee pot full of a pale liquid which could scarcely be called coffee, but all very nicely arranged on the wooden kitchen table.

So we were not sorry, for a welcome change, to go to have breakfast at the local inn.

While we were walking there, along the small forest path, which bordered the pond of swans, we saw from a distance the red-haired woman and the stranger, who seemed engaged in a conversation.

“ Oh, it was an excellent idea to go for a breakfast picnic in the forest. I’m thrilled, my social life is not too active. I have done as you asked me in the note you slipped under my door : I have taken a bottle of chilled white wine, and I presume you have brought along all the food as you promised'"
The red-haired woman seemed to be delighted and spoke more quickly than usual, gasping between phrases.

“Promise only what you can deliver. Then deliver more than you promise.
I have obviously brought all that is necessary for a breakfast worthy of this name.
Reindeer smoked ham, a bunch of hot chilli peppers, brown bread, mozzarella cheese and a Sacher torte.”
The stranger declaimed proudly

“ Uhm, very well, I’m sure it must be all delicious... – the red-haired woman, sounded slightly uncertain and a little worried, but she was too sweet to show it openly –Maybe later we can walk as far as the pond of swans. Do you like swans?”

“ It has been a very long time since I tasted swan , but, yes, I might say I like it, mostly if it’s stuffed with chestnuts and sweet herbs and well roasted, but I prefer peacock, frankly speaking. Peacock is really very tasty, even though it’s not suitable for breakfast...”

The poor red-haired woman looked rather distressed and she tried to change subject.
“May I ask you something rather personal without being considered too intrusive?”

“Questions are never indiscreet: answers sometimes are...”


“Well, it’s not my business, but I have noticed that when you arrived, probably after a long journey, you were wearing slippers and when you are indoors, at our home, you wear boots, but as soon as you get out, for a walk outdoors, like right now, you wear slippers again.
People usually do the opposite....”

“Ah, yes, you are right, I’m a traveller and I always wear my old faithful slippers when I’m on the road.
Do you find it odd? But why? It’s logical to try hard to travel always in the most comfortable way, isn't it?”

They kept on their walk looking for a suitable place for a picnic when suddenly....