Beslama, Apple of My Eye

La DdC attended her son Besla’s concert last night. In the front row, she had arranged for a single armchair to stand beneath a spotlight. A plaque read: “Seat reserved for the suitor.” No ticket had been sent.

Besla appeared in a lustrous black suit, the golden warthog at his belt. He began Beslama, I Would Love You almost alone at the microphone. The oud and Portuguese guitar carried the opening words; the band, then the backing singers, joined in for the final refrain.

At every “Beslama”, the spotlight illuminated the armchair. Besla never glanced towards it.

At the end of the song, La DdC rose to her feet. She applauded her son, then approached the empty seat. “Besla, apple of my eye,” she said to him, loudly enough to be heard from the front row.

A journalist asked her whether the seat had been intended to hurt someone.

“It was intended for one person. That person chose not to be there.”

The Duchess had the plaque removed before leaving the hall. The seat will go on sale as usual for the next concert. According to the box office, it offers an excellent view of the stage.