Janine had been snuffling into her handkerchief but now she burst into floods of tears once more. ‘How could I guess he wouldn’t stand by me?’ she wailed. ‘You’ve only left out one thing, Dad, and that is that I truly love Mario, and always will. If only he’d not lied to me right at the beginning none of this would have happened. Oh, Dad, I’m so unhappy, tell me you understand and forgive me!’

Despite himself, Albert could not resist such an appeal. ‘Of course I do,’ he said soothingly. ‘And we’ll stick to your story, since no one in America is likely to hear how you’ve been blackening the Da Silva name. So now we must decide what is best to do. It’s a great pity that the smell of tobacco affects you, but if it reaches the flat and becomes too much we’ll see about renting you a couple of rooms . . .’

This led to the loudest wail so far. ‘Oh, Dad, don’t turn me out, don’t reject me,’ Janine said between sobs. ‘The smell isn’t likely to reach the flat and I’ve learned to keep house, cook and manage on a small budget. We can be very happy, you and I, only I don’t see any need for you to spend time in the pet shop, or with that Mrs Williams. I dare say she’s very nice, but now you’ve got me you won’t need anyone else.’

Albert opened his mouth to disabuse her, then changed his mind. She was upset enough already and now that he knew the truth he thought that further explanations could be put off until she had calmed down. Then there would be all the other things which expectant mothers had to do. He imagined she would need to visit Brougham Terrace to explain her predicament and become a patient on a doctor’s panel, and he rather thought she might be eligible to apply for some sort of financial help whilst she was unable to work. He knew there were clinics and classes which prepared young women for the birth, but all that was for the future. Right now he did not even mean to tell her that nothing would persuade him to give up his friendship with the Williamses. Perhaps it was natural that she should resent the closeness which had grown up between himself and Edie, but natural or not she would simply have to accept that she could not possibly take the place of his dearest friend.

But she was staring at him across the table, her lip trembling, her eyes filling with tears once more, so Albert hastened to reassure her. ‘All right, that’s enough talking for one day! I’ll make you a hot water bottle while you trot along to your room and get into your nightgown. Tomorrow will be quite soon enough to decide what other action we need to take.’ He got to his feet, went over to the stove and filled the kettle, then held open the kitchen door. ‘Off you go! You’ll feel all the better for a good night’s sleep.’