Damir and Melissa met in high school, at an age when questions outnumber answers. He was charmed by her looks, then her mindset; she, by his mindset, then his looks. The fact that Damir was Muslim and Melissa was Christian did not raise a question. At least, not initially. "It was our parents who, when they found out we were together, pointed out that we were from two different religions," said Damir, whose family is from the Comoros, over the phone. Beside him, Melissa added, "They are very religious and observant, and very explicit about the fact that our relationship will become a problem the day we want to marry and have children. For them, it's just a fling." A "fling" that has now lasted for four years.

Both he, 22, a warehouse worker at a pasta company in southeastern France, and she, 20, studying for a business qualification, still live with their parents. While Melissa's mother, divorced from her father, is more conciliatory and sometimes welcomes them, the same cannot be said for the other three parents. So the couple meets in the city after work and escapes on weekends. The lovers you see on public benches? That's them.

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