I spend a workday pottering around and achieving very little. Emi will not be home before 7 pm, which makes for a long day on my own. When I have something to do, like reading up on karakuri, these waiting days are convenient, but today the hours drag out slowly. I see a sign that says intanetto, Internet, so pop in for an hour online and the obligatory thimbleful of strong coffee.

Leo lands with aplomb.
‘greetings, lord leo’
tyger bows, curtsies, wobbles.
‘Lord, hah!’ says Tiger.
[privately to tyger]: ‘He a friend of yours, tyger?’
[privately to leo]: ‘tis so. his name’s ghassan. he’s ok. i let him log on via my machine’
‘leo, tiger, tiger, leo’
‘hello Tiger,’ says Leo.
‘Hi,’ says Tiger.
Tiger snogs Tyger.
‘phewwww!’
‘Is this normal?’
tyger thinks tiger is a bit of a handful and ought to watch himself, especially when leo is around.
‘Yeah? Why?’
‘can’t explain now. have a surprisingly interesting meeting to attend in a few minutes, nay, seconds. i’ll have to take my regretful leave of both of you’
tyger shrugs, a picture of abject contrition.
‘Bad timing on my part. Sorry, little cat.’
‘i can talk again in two hours, if my lord so pleases’
‘Don’t think I’ll be able to today, tyger, this was a spur of the moment thing. Perhaps tomorrow, same time?’
‘so hope so’
tyger kisses her esteemed leo goodbye, waves at tiger, and disappears in a beautiful little puff of blue smoke.
Tiger kisses Tyger goodbye.
‘I think you were just a little too late there, Tiger.’
‘Yeah, so? Plenty where that came from.’
‘Come again?’
‘Too right!’

No point hanging around, now. May as well just surf in another window.

‘You still there, Leo?’

I notice this a few seconds later.

‘Yep. Still here, Tiger.’
‘Touch yourself often, do you?’
Tiger laughs head off.
‘What?’
‘Execrable communication, pal.’
Tiger logs off.

It doesn’t take me long to realise that Ghassan has more than logging-on rights on tyger’s machine. He has found a way to read her email, and he’s clearly just been reading emails she and I have sent each other. He may have full access to all her files. I need to warn her about this but any of the electronic methods are likely to be intercepted by Ghassan. I will have to use ordinary mail.

A beautiful and seasonal postcard of snow in a rock garden catches my eye. I sit on a low wall and write.

Dear tyger,
Didn’t see enough of you today, as you will know. And as if that wasn’t bad enough, I now have some slightly unpleasant news. Ghassan has infiltrated your account and has been reading our email. I am sure you know what to do. Please send me an email using the words autoclave and praeterpluperfect as a sign that your system is secure.
Much leonine love and gentle ear-rubbings,
Leo.

I walk into the post office near Kyoto station and wait in line. The clerk tells me the card should reach its destination in four or five days. Meanwhile I shall act on-line as if I don’t suspect a thing.