‘It’s just not the done thing. People in my position don’t divorce. We simply lead separate lives. I’m afraid I let it drift, let my personal life slide by me. I was intent on several important undertakings, after my wife and I became estranged. I needed to keep my household, my boys and the family situation stable. I also wanted to make sure my business was not affected by that estrangement. Eventually, my wife agreed to keep up a civil front for the sake of our sons. And she has done so. To a certain extent.’

‘I understand. Why was she so difficult?’ Vanessa asked quietly, looking puzzled.

‘I don’t know. I could never get a proper answer from her. Perhaps I didn’t try hard enough, consumed as I was with my business. Also, I didn’t want to marry anyone else. There was no one I cared enough about, and of course divorce is not something anyone would undertake lightly.’

‘No, of course. Why were you estranged in the first place? I hope that’s not a rude question, Robert. Is it?’

‘Yes. But you should know. It was my wife who terminated our marriage. Abruptly, after our second son was born. We’ve had separate bedrooms for years, and I never found out why.’

‘Oh my God! I can’t believe any woman would shut her bedroom door on you!’ she exclaimed, horrified.

He had to laugh at the way she said this, and the look of total disbelief in her eyes. ‘Well, she did. And I was rather stupid not to take steps to end the marriage properly, with a divorce. I’ve come to see the error of my ways recently. I’m rethinking a number of things.’

All of a sudden there was a burst of activity around them. Waiters appeared with sandwiches, a large pot of tea, milk and sugar on trays. Smiling, being polite, they placed everything on the table, and one of them stayed behind to pour the tea.

Once they were alone again, Vanessa took a sip of tea, and then said, ‘Could I ask a favour of you?’

‘Naturally you can. What can I do for you?’

She threw him a flirtatious look, and said, in a tantalizing voice, ‘Oh many, many rather delicious things I won’t go into now.’

‘Please don’t,’ he shot back, a hint of laughter echoing in his voice.

‘I would prefer it if you could refer to your estranged wife as Lucinda. She hasn’t been your wife for years anyway and, well … it makes me feel jealous. There, I’ve said it … is it silly of me?’

He reached out and took hold of her hand resting on the table, held it tightly in his. Staring at her, his blue eyes intense, he said, ‘No, it’s not silly. There’s something I must say to you now, Vanessa.’