I can't help imagine it was like when someone farts and everyone else in the room pretends that everything is fine and fragrant, whilst breathing as slowly as they can.

I also wondered whether they both conspired along the lines of 'if we concoct a plant to stop them coming to Britain, they will probably stop coming to France and stay in Italy. Win win. The Entente Cordiale lives on.'.

Oh call me cynical as if I care.