Janine had been looking sulky, but now her expression changed to one of alarm. ‘You can’t . . . you mustn’t . . . Mr Da Silva’s a very important man . . .’ she began, her voice rising to a wail. ‘Oh, Dad, I’ve been such a fool! I never did get married, because when I reached Silverpeak I discovered that Mario had lied. He was married already; and though he had told me the truth in one respect – the Da Silvas do own a sizeable property, a cattle ranch just outside the town as well as the soda fountain and the diner – it was about the only true thing he had said. Oh, Dad, it was dreadful! I was so far from home and I was still more than half in love with Mario even though I knew he didn’t love me. I should have left the area, gone somewhere far away where I could have licked my wounds and recovered my self-respect. But Mr Da Silva offered me the job of manageress of the soda fountain and said I could have the flat above it rent free. I should have turned him down but I still hoped that Mario would grow tired of his fat little wife and turn to me. I worked real hard, Dad, bringing the soda fountain into profitability, and Mr Da Silva really had made it plain that he would hand the business over to me . . .’ She stopped speaking for a moment and shot Albert a quick, sly glance from under her lashes. ‘Please say you understand,’ she said pleadingly. ‘I expect you can guess what happened next . . .’

Albert looked at his daughter’s pale, mascara-smeared face and his heart went out to her. Of course he could guess what must have happened, but he felt that it was essential to hear the truth from her own lips. If she and I are to remain friends there must be truth between us, he told himself. He fixed Janine with an unfaltering stare, and though he spoke kindly it was also firmly. ‘No guessing; you must tell me the truth,’ he said. ‘What happened?’

Janine had begun to cry but now she hiccuped, blew her nose on her handkerchief and spoke more calmly. ‘Mario’s real wife, Madalena, became pregnant. It affected her strangely. She became bad-tempered, cried a lot and refused Mario his marital rights; at least that was what he said, though he put it a good deal more crudely. He turned to me for sympathy at first, and then for – for other things. I should have denied him, but I didn’t. I was lonely, far from home . . .’

‘Rubbish!’ Albert said angrily. ‘But it’s no good repining now that the damage is done. Tell me, have I got this right? Madalena Da Silva had her baby and regained her sweet nature. You tried to persuade Mario to leave her and told him you were in the family way. He was not unnaturally horrified, as was Mr Da Silva, senior. They gave you money for your fare home and probably some extra for lying-in expenses, and back you came, having no alternative.’