‘The only thing that really matters is that you’re safe.’ Marina’s hands were shaky as she put down her coffee cup. ‘It could have been a terrible, unbearable tragedy for us all. Now, I know someone who will deal with this beautifully. His name is Edward Carradine. He’s perfectly marvellous. He looks after some of my friends, actually. I’ve met him several times myself but that was in Nairobi, strangely enough. He goes abroad to these hopeless places several times a year, and operates free of charge in cases where there’s someone who has been badly burned, or is the victim of an accident. Or some poor creature with a dreadful birth defect. He even brings people to London for treatment. Quite remarkable, really.’

‘I have his number already.’ Camilla produced the scrawled note from her pocket. ‘Tom Bartlett gave it to me.’

‘Your agent? When?’

‘I went to see him this morning. To tell him I couldn’t go to New York. He said Mr Carradine was the man for me.’

‘I can’t believe you’ve been trailing around London after such a traumatic experience and that impossible, overnight plane journey.’ Marina sounded peeved. ‘Tom Bartlett may be important in your work, but I’m sure you could have made your explanations on the telephone. Really, darling, your sense of priorities is simply not—’

‘Don’t, Mother. I can’t cope with a lecture just now. I need some rest. But if you know this doctor maybe you could arrange the appointment for me. I’m too tired to explain the whole thing on the phone to some faceless, snotty receptionist. Where’s Daddy, by the way? I rang, but there was no reply.’

‘He’s in Holland, talking to Prince Bernhard about lions or tigers, or something wild. It’s an important meeting. He’ll be back tomorrow or Saturday. I didn’t tell him about the robbery when he telephoned this morning, because there didn’t seem to be any point in his rushing back early. For the moment, I’m afraid you’ll have to make do with me.’ Marina’s expression was sad. ‘Let’s turn down your bed so you can sleep for a while, and I’ll make the appointment with Edward.’

‘Was that where you’d been in Harley Street, just before I left for Nairobi?’ Camilla asked. ‘You’re not going to have a facelift, are you? It’s not necessary, and you’re too young to even think about such a thing.’

‘How sweet. No, I wasn’t contemplating a facelift. Actually, I hadn’t been feeling very well, so I went for a few tests.’

‘What sort of tests?’

‘I just wanted to see if I was anaemic, because I’d been rather tired. It’s all under control now. And the cottage is an ideal place to rest. I adore all that fresh air and quiet.’

‘That’s new for you.’