Crowther said, “Would you not consider that a lack of fidelity on your part, preceded by the loss of her father and brother, and coupled by the strain of childbirth thrice over, mayn’t have contributed to the state of sadness and listlessness, the not getting out of bed and joining society,” he read from his notes, “that you accuse her of?”

“Everybody lost someone—”

“I was unaware that number of sufferers softens the impact of grief.”

“—and I was perfectly faithful until she ceased to fulfil her side of the bargain.”

“I’m so glad we’ve established your infidelity as her fault,” said Crowther.

“I fulfilled my role, and I expected her to do the same. Plenty of women cope perfectly well without going off their heads.”

“Or so you think. Perhaps your own mother cried in the night when you could not hear her. Perhaps your own father saw fit to earn enough income to make his wife independent of her family.”

“I couldn’t possibly make Enid independent of her family,” snapped Douglas.

“And luckily for us all, that issue is not up for debate,” said Crowther. He bowed quickly to Merrivale, and Joan breathed out.

Enid, 1929

33

Enid, 1929

Joan’s face looked out of control, as if she couldn’t decide whether to scream or go to sleep. She’d never seen her sister so discomposed. Not dishevelled; she’d none of the lounger, head back, arm raised to shield an aching head from the sun, about her. She was clipped into her suit like a soldier, but her face – she looked scared. Enid watched her take the stand.

Their man was bent over his file, talking in whispers to McKinley. Enid recognised him from the drawing room at Bryanston Square all those years ago, when their mother would call him in to discuss her Will in vaguely threatening tones.

“Miss Campbell,” their man began, “how long was your nephew in your care?”

“Two years,” replied Joan. She gripped the rail as Douglas had.

“On what arrangement?”

“When my sister deserted her children, their father brought them to me. We had no reason to believe she would come back, and this was why no formal arrangement was made.”

“Do you believe that your sister is fit to be a mother?”

“No.”

“And your feelings for your nephew?”

“He is extremely dear to me.”

“And sole heir to your estate?”

“Yes.”

“No matter who he resides with?”

“That is correct.”

“I am told by his nanny, a Miss Duncan, that you are equally dear to him. We shall hear from her in due course. In the meantime, madam, would you care to outline to this court why you feel it is imperative that he be returned to you?”

“Certainly. My nephew is set to inherit a substantial fortune.”

It could be their mother up there.

“So being, he will become an influential member of society.”

They looked so alike.