Kate shuddered at the thought of having lunch in the midst of a brash business clientele, men in suits who still believed they owned the world. They could afford the leisure of turning away from the city for a few hours, to feast, get drunk, fortify themselves on their self-righteous, pitying sympathy for a government ‘who just couldn't get things right’ . She suggested somewhere closer, a place where Silas especially wouldn't feel out of place. Julian should know how uncomfortable Silas would be among the kind of people who must frequent – ‘What's it called? The Crucible?’

‘No, darling, just “Crucible”. There is a subtle difference, you know. You can sit under a tree, enjoy the heat and the shade, hear the buzzing of insects, the splash of water. There is a brook nearby. Beauty you don't even have to see. Talk about the best of both worlds!’ In any case, the place epitomized the new democratic order; it was run by former enemies – an ex-cop and a one-time MK soldier, for whom the government could find no new role. ‘Isn't that just marvellous!’

Julian's enthusiasm finally persuaded Kate.

‘The place is out near Krugersdorp, and it overlooks a game reserve or something like that,’ she forewarned Silas, when she picked him up. She also cautioned that Julian's marriage had finally crumbled and his wife had moved out. ‘But don't probe, let him tell you on his own.’

Silas seemed preoccupied with her concern for Julian, even irritated by it. Something else was bothering him. She glanced at him, saw his bitten lip and drawn face, his struggle with a question that failed to find form, a man as articulate as Silas, suffering this stultifying awkwardness.

‘Kate?’

‘Yes?’

She had dreaded this moment for a long time. Whenever she saw Silas, she anticipated being confronted about her relationship with Mikey, although the word ‘confront’ was too strong for the way he would deal with the matter. He would probe, ask oblique questions, rationalizing on her behalf even as he proceeded to question her: ‘It was inevitable, you are attractive, he is such a sensuous young man…’

She shifted about, positioned herself resolutely, ready, she told herself, to answer his questions as directly and honestly as possible. Yes, I have been having an affair with your son, I take full responsibility, but it is over, it was a moment of foolishness, a huge mistake. Forgive me, if you can. There is no point in trying to find out why or how or where. The detail is mundane, sordid really. I hope we can stay friends, even if from a distance.

They saw the sign for the restaurant when it was almost upon them, and she had to brake sharply and make a tight turn. They were on a gravel road, and she concentrated on keeping control of the car, slowing it down, allowing the dust to settle and restore her visibility. The place was much closer to town than she had assumed.