" If you insist," Joshua says."And there's the small matter that I haven't even been offered acontract yet," I mumble."Well- we can resolve that now,"...Joshua says. "Three months, on a part-time trial basis. I will expect you to fulfil on average one job perweek. Though... Recording with Stuart and his band will count towardthat fulfilment as well." Even though I've only been learning bass guitar for six months?" I ask."Five and a half months longer than most bassists, mate," Stuartchuckles as. I’m momentarily lost for words, before one the guys pipes up, “You can speak now, Ian!” and the table bursts into laughter, as they can clearly see how taken I am by her!As the meal progresses, I find my attention constantly wandering to the waitress, my eyes watching as she glides effortlessly round the floor, arms full of plates and drinks, face always smiling, despite the obvious stress she’s under, in the oppressive Hong Kong heat.The second evening and the atmosphere is more relaxed come. While the nurse removed the tube and I got dressed, mummy thanked the doctor who smiled and asked about his payment. (I thought that a little odd at the time, daddy - doesn't the NHS pay for everything like that?) Anyway, the nurse took me outside and offered me a seat. I choose to stand. About half an hour later, mummy came out of the doctor's office, a rosy glow on her face and we left. As we walked along the street, mummy seemed to be happier than when we went in though she did have to keep. She asked me if I agreed.“I smiled at her and said, ‘What kind of wife would I be to contradict my husband?’ At that, she laughed, and said that would make me just like all of the other wives at Court. And then she bid me adieu and she and her ladies turned to leave. But she took several steps and turned her head back in my direction and told me, ‘You must raise your son to serve France and to love his King.’“I replied that ‘her command was also my deepest desire’, at which time she nodded in.