In the face of statements like that, it was difficult to know how I could help Mary Griffin.

My mobile rang on the way back to Dodge’s at Walberton. I checked the display. Edward Finch.

I don’t normally do work calls at the weekend, but there was something about the widower’s strange behaviour that intrigued me. I parked on the side of the road and called him back.

‘Ellen,’ he said, ‘I’ve been thinking about some of the things you said.’

‘Oh? What in particular?’

‘About letting go. About how I’ve got to let go of Pauline.’

‘It’s part of a process, Edward.’

‘Yes, I understand that. But in fact, I’m talking about letting go of Pauline’s possessions, not my memories of her.’

‘Good.’

‘You said I should get back in touch with you when I was ready to do that … get rid of the possessions, that is.’

‘Yes.’

‘Well, I’m ready, Ellen.’

I arrived at Walberton to find the van neatly parked outside. Which was a relief. When he’s low, Ben can be dangerously unpredictable. The door to Dodge’s live-in workshop was open. I tapped on it as I entered.

Inside, Dodge was lying on his home-made bed, his pillow propped up on the wooden structure like a bookrest. He had no covering over him. Even in the brief time since I’d last seen him that morning, his facial bruises had entered a new spectrum of colours. The plasters I’d put on had been replaced by some kind of green paste. At the antiquated range on which Dodge did his cooking, Ben was stirring a battered saucepan, taking instructions on how to mix some herbal remedy. The atmosphere between them was warm and relaxed.

‘I’ve come to fetch my son,’ I said, ‘but if you’d rather we stayed …’

‘No, it’s fine,’ Dodge croaked from the bed. ‘He’s been very helpful.’

‘It’s really cool, Ma,’ said Ben. ‘This natural healing stuff. Kind of makes more sense than getting into the clutches of Big Pharma.’

‘I’m sure it does.’

‘The multinationals are just after profit. They’re capable of inventing diseases just so’s they can sell people remedies for them.’

‘Maybe.’ I wasn’t about to get into a discussion of pharmaceutical companies. I said honestly, ‘I can’t claim to know much about it.’

‘You don’t need to know anything about natural healing when you’ve got Dodge around. He is the Herbmeister.’

‘I know.’ I looked across at the figure on the bed. The sight still made me angry. How could one human being do that to another?

‘Dodge, are you sure you don’t want us to stay? I could cook us some lunch or …’

‘No. Really. I’ll be fine.’ His words were distorted by his swollen lips. ‘Just need time to heal.’

‘Well, you will call me, won’t you, if you need anything?’

‘’Course I will. And thanks, Ben, for acting as my nurse.’

‘No worries. Glad to help.’

‘Obviously, Dodge,’ I said, ‘if there’s any heavy lifting that needs doing over the next few days, Ben’ll be more than ready to help out.’