The meal was exquisite. The salmon had been a good choice; it was light and flaky and melted in the mouth. And the tender salad leaves had come fresh from the garden. The guests were impressed, she could see, and she smiled a satisfied smile. As she carried in the tray of individual chocolate mousses, garnished with glistening mint leaves, she looked up and glanced at Esmeralda. The smile froze on her face. She had just remembered that Esmeralda always, when presented with a chocolate dessert, turned the topic of conversation round to her bowel movements.