Transcript of a conference call between A and three friends (B, C and D) picked up by Tattle covert interception:
A: "I've had a great idea..."
B, C and D in unison: "do tell..."
A: "...a weekend away at an exclusive floral design workshop. Staying at a Chateau. In France..."
D interrupts: "Chateau...France...wait, wait, wait while I collect my thoughts...are we talking about [gasp] Lalande?"
B and C squeak in an ecstasy of expectation.
A: "No, that's for the future, when dearest Stephanie has completed her loving restoration of her historic home - no bookings until 2025 if her Patreon income doesn't hit $75,000 per month by the end of June. But this is a good second best and we'd be supporting dearest Marie, our favourite floralist - or maybe it's flowerist, it's hard to keep up with words nowadays..."
B interrupts: "Marie? A weekend of florals? At a chateau? In France? Count me in."
C interjects: "This would be a dream come true. Who doesn't want to stay in a chateau. In France. Spending time learning about floral and foraged foliage design from a professional would be the icing on the cake. Yeah, I'm in."
A: "D, what about you? You've gone very quiet."
D: "In theory," (A inwardly sighs: sometimes D lacks spontaneity) "I'm all for this, it's just the logistics, the specifics, the pandemic..."
B: "For heavens sake, D, you can be so dull - what do logistics and specifics and the pandemic have to do with it? We're not talking about the Normandy landings."
A ploughs on before the conversation gets engulfed in semantics: "The weekend is being run by that charming Canadian couple who have been so helpful to dearest Stephanie. They are starting out on a different path by opening their new home - a mystery chateau somewhere in France - to discerning people who pay to share interests and skills. We would be helping them, too. So, all in all, everyone benefits."
C, having recovered from hyperventilating, thanks to the breathing into a paper bag technique: "A mystery chateau? Wow, it just gets better and better. I leave all the arrangement to you, A. You've not mentioned the cost but money isn't an issue."
B: "I agree, C. Whatever the cost - getting to France, internal travel to a mystery chateau out in the countryside somewhere, cost of the workshop and any other incidental extras - it won't break the bank. Let me know about payment."
D, voice brightening: "We'll get to see Marie's car. Which is kind of "our car", as between the four of us we paid for most of the chassis and at least two of the four tyres. Warms my heart to help those in need."
The rest of the quartet's conversation was too boring to transcribe.