Years ago, an Italian friend told me a story I have never forgotten.
He was in bed with a young Englishman.
I shall spare you the details.
Let us simply say it was not the moment at which one would normally consult the drinks menu.
At a certain point, the young man turned to him and, with complete naturalness, asked:
“May I have a cup of tea?”
My friend stopped.
Not because of the request.
Because of the timing.
To this day, I do not know whether it was an exquisitely polite attempt to pause proceedings, whether he was simply thirsty, or whether centuries of British civilisation had quietly determined that tea time had arrived.
All seem entirely plausible.
And all deserve respect.
You may remove an Englishman's clothes.
You may temporarily disturb his composure.
But apparently not his right to a decent cup of tea.
One essential question does remain.
Milk first or after?
There are moments when even I prefer not to judge.
I simply put the kettle on.
Andrea Morel