‘The only time she sort of bucks up is in Ireland. She enjoys Lassiter Hall, and the villagers seem fond of her, although she doesn’t go out among them so often these days. Keeps herself to herself. Actually, I am going to make a trip back there in the not too distant future. I’ll take Colin Wilson with me, and I’m pondering the idea of taking Blackie O’Neill along – that Irish lad, you remember? Or sending him ahead perhaps, with Wilson. I like the lad, think he’s got something special about him. He could work wonders in the gardens there. I think they’ve been neglected lately.’

‘From what you say, he’s turned into a strapping lad, no doubt about that. Funny that you ran into him again recently, when he turned up at Bolton Manor with Lucinda’s maid. Forgotten her name. Irish as well.’

‘Her name is O’Brien, Siobhan O’Brien, and she’s his cousin. A nice young woman, calm, hard-working, but I think she misses her brother, who still works at the house in Ireland. I think really she’d prefer to be back there.’ Robert stubbed out his cigarette and smiled at Adrian. ‘Our wine is about to arrive.’

Once their glasses had been filled, Adrian said, ‘Here’s to you, my dear old friend, and a new future, all shiny and bright and full of happiness with a stunning lady love called Vanessa Stratton.’

‘Let’s hope so,’ Robert replied, a smile flickering slightly, his face suddenly changing, growing serious. ‘If you can make it happen.’

‘Don’t you fret, Robert. It’s about time you started to live a better life. No one deserves it more than you. Now, about Vanessa, you said she was willing.’

‘Willing? What exactly do you mean?’

‘To have an affair with you.’

‘I don’t want that, Addy. I really don’t,’ Robert answered swiftly, using his friend’s childhood nickname. ‘I want to be with her. Not as my mistress. To be able to marry her.’

‘Getting a divorce can take a while, from what I know about chaps who have taken that step,’ Adrian felt bound to explain. ‘And you will need to prove cruelty, desertion or adultery.’

Robert returned Adrian’s intense gaze, but remained silent, obviously fully digesting his friend’s words.

Adrian said in a quiet voice, ‘You might feel it hard to keep your hands off her, and I’m certain you’ll go on seeing Vanessa, as I do my bit, so to speak, getting your freedom.’

‘I might,’ Robert agreed. ‘However, I’ll just have to manage it, be very controlled. I’ll try hard.’

‘What about Vanessa? She’s already mentioned the word affair, according to you.’