Do you like Sting, Tasia? Andrew turns to me. “Sea Dreamer, it seems to me, is the best fit for our date.

“Given the atmosphere of your apartment and the view from the window, it will definitely fit,” I agree. And then the viscous, dramatic motives of Sting's song fill the space. Sia dreamer... I smile and take turns lighting the small candles on the mantelpiece.

“I’m for wine,” Athensky says, and disappears through the door.

Candles flicker with a soft flame, wine splashes in glasses, Sting sings about dreams, and from the window you can see the sea flooded with almost summer sun.

“For my most beautiful girl,” Andrey...