She picked up Minnie and cradled her, not meeting my eye. I slammed the door shut on Rupert and he sprawled across the seat. ‘Answer me.’

She gave me her special smile. ‘Of course.’

‘Good.’

She laughed. ‘When did you become so forceful?’

I climbed into the car, pushing Rupert into an upright position, and started the engine. ‘I want to see you soon.’

‘Whenever you want,’ she called back.

I drove a few miles from the house before I stopped the car. I leaned across Rupert to open the passenger door, then kicked his body out onto the side of the road. He moaned once, but didn’t open his eyes.

‘Stay away from Sylvie,’ I said, pulling the door shut and driving off.

Halfway home I recognised Martha’s car sitting just off the road, and slowed down to take a better look. It was turned onto a small dirt path that led to a forest. From afar the reflection of the trees obscured its inside, but as I got closer I could make out a mass of red hair behind the steering wheel.

I tapped on the window twice. She didn’t seem to hear me and kept her eyes fixed ahead on the forest. I circled the front of the car and opened the passenger door. She stirred then, turning her head to look at me.

‘Are you alright?’

‘Theo.’ She smiled. ‘I was out for a drive and forgot where I wanted to go.’

I climbed in. Closer up, she smelled faintly of sour milk and my stomach churned against it. ‘Do you usually drive alone?’

‘Not really.’

‘Does Freddie know where you are?’

She slumped back against her seat, dropping her hands from the steering wheel. ‘No. I just had to get out of the house.’ She passed a hand over her forehead. ‘I’m not feeling too well at the moment.’

‘Do you need to see a doctor?’

‘No.’

‘Shall I take you home?’

‘Could you?’

We switched seats. Martha fell asleep as soon as I turned on the engine, head propped up on her fist. Now I had a chance to look at her closely, I could see how pale she was.

As I pulled into the drive she woke up and ran a hand through her hair. Freddie was standing in the open front door and waved to us.

‘I think I’ll go lie down,’ Martha said. ‘Thank you, darling.’

Freddie squeezed her arm as she passed him, then came over to the car and leaned in through the passenger window.

‘Where did you find her?’

‘Not too far from Naivasha. I left my car there to drive her back.’

‘I’ll get Albert to drive you back to pick it up.’

‘Thanks.’

‘Don’t mention it. How did Martha seem to you?’

‘Not very well.’

‘No.’ He looked at his hands. ‘She isn’t. I think she’s in quite a bit of pain, actually.’