‘No, I want you to stay home and rest,’ said Ricky firmly, before adding jokily, ‘We can’t have you gadding about town in your condition.’ Verity giggled and was about to say something, when the doorbell rang, followed by a sharp rap on the door. Shona had arrived.

Ricky stood stock-still, aware that his nightmare had occurred. His two spinning worlds on a collision course in this apartment, Verity on the phone, listening and wondering who was visiting, and Shona’s knuckles descending to rap once more on the door, signalling the fatal impact. She had only to open her mouth, and call out, ‘Papa,’ and that would be the end of everything.

’Well, aren’t you going to get that?’ asked Verity.

‘It’s just a delivery for the man in the flat next door. He had to pop out, so I said I didn’t mind getting it for him,’ said Ricky with extraordinary presence of mind, skipping speedily as far out of the room as the phone cord would allow, so Shona wouldn’t be able to hear him through the door. ‘I’d better go and sign for it. I’ll see you later, Verity darling.’ Just as he hung up the phone, Shona’s voice called out, ringing clearly through the whole flat, ‘Papa? Papa! Are you there?’

Ricky took a deep breath, composing himself before opening the door. ‘Sorry Jaan, I was on the phone,’ he apologized.

‘Was it Amma?’ asked Shona, kissing him on his cheek and walking in to survey the apartment with daughterly interest. This is a nice place. Lots of space just for you, though. You must rattle around in here.’ Oh God, thought Ricky. She’s left the Pakistani and wants to move in with me. Attempting to change the subject from that of his apartment’s spaciousness, he just said, ‘No, it wasn’t your Amma. She never calls me when I’m away on business.’

‘Well, London isn’t exactly away on business, is it?’ pointed out Shona. ‘Amma says you practically live here five days a week.’ Ricky shrugged in acknowledgement; in fact, he only went back to Bangladesh every fortnight, and then just for a couple of days. However, it didn’t surprise him that Henna had not remarked upon his lengthy absences; she probably hadn’t even noticed, as she was just concerned with the keeping up of appearances, too. He had become vaguely aware, on his last visit, that Henna and his little brother appeared to have widened the personal interests that they were pursuing beyond Henna’s amateur dramatics, and were now spending an unseemly amount of time with each other. The revelation had filled him with nothing so much as relief - if they were busy flirting they would have less time to suspect him of any untoward behaviour.