‘Honestly,’ my mother said. ‘Maud, go ask Abdullah to make me a cup of tea.’

Maud kissed my father’s cheek and left the room.

‘You have to be careful not to make her life too soft,’ my mother said.

‘We’re not going to let her want for anything.’ My father picked up his drink and took another sip. ‘This is really excellent, this sherry.’

My mother shook her head. ‘Women –’

‘Ah yes,’ my father said. ‘What would we men do without you, eh, Theo?’ He pulled her onto his now-free lap and wrapped his arms around her. ‘Your life isn’t too hard, I hope. I’d wrestle a hippo if I thought it would make you happy.’

My cheeks were scorching, and I shifted further away from the fire. My mother wriggled a little, then gave up and laughed. ‘Theo,’ she said. ‘Go and see what your sister’s up to in there.’

I escaped gladly. As I was leaving, I heard my father murmur, ‘Ah, Jessie.’

They collected me just after sunrise. Frost still tipped the lawn and flowers, and Sylvie was shivering by the time I joined her on the veranda. She’d left Roderigo at home for once. Scotty bounded after me and gave her hand a welcoming lick.

‘Hello, handsome,’ she said.

‘Hello,’ I said.

‘I wasn’t talking to you,’ she said, but she kissed my cheek.

‘Don’t bark now,’ I said to Scotty, who whimpered softly, then lay down with his head on his paws, watching us go.

‘It’s going to be completely clear today,’ Sylvie said. ‘All the better for them to shoot something.’ She took my arm. ‘Will you hunt?’

‘Only if I’m going to eat it afterwards.’

She laughed. ‘Exactly what I thought you’d say.’

As we reached the cars, Sylvie frowned at something in the distance. I followed her gaze to the wheeling figures in the sky above Hell’s Gate.

‘Griffon vultures,’ she said. ‘They’re bad omens.’

‘Only for rabbits and mice,’ I said, opening the passenger door for her.

She climbed in beside Rupert, and I walked to the car in front, where Nico was sitting behind the wheel.

‘Good morning,’ he said as I climbed in. ‘If you can call it that.’

‘Good morning.’

He started the engine and we drove off. He was quiet for the first half of the journey, staring straight ahead with eyes creased against the dawn.

‘How come Rupert disappeared?’ I asked eventually.

‘He was in disgrace.’

‘Why in disgrace?’

‘Ah.’ He cleared his throat. ‘I’m afraid I may have something to do with that.’

‘What happened?’