‘I haven’t seen him. He’s been away. He’s busy.’ Her manner had shifted in an instant and she stubbed out her cigarette. ‘Thank you for the drink. I really have to go, Edward. There are things I need to do at home this evening. And I forgot to ask you if I could have some tranquillisers. I’m still having nightmares, and I’m jumpy all the time.’

‘Look, I can see I’ve broached a difficult subject with regard to Marina’s illness. I’m sorry. I thought it might be a relief to talk about it.’

‘It is. I hadn’t mentioned it to anyone else, and it was beginning to burn a hole in me,’ Camilla admitted.

‘I know that everything seems to be on a downward spiral just now. But you do need to be careful about tranquillisers, because they can be habit-forming. I’ll write you a prescription for a small number, but we’ll have to discuss it again before I give you any more. In the meantime, I need you fresh and relaxed for our repair session in the morning. So why don’t we have a quick supper, and afterwards I’ll deliver you safely back to your flat? Because it would be very unwise to spend your evening smoking and drinking, and worrying about your mother.’

The restaurant Edward chose was crowded, and Camilla was absurdly reassured when the manager recognised her and found them a table in a quiet corner. When they had ordered their food she sat back in her chair.

‘Did you see much of my parents on your visits to Kenya?’ she asked.

‘Yes, I did. We met at a cocktail party in Government House, the first time I went there to do some surgery. After that I saw your mother often. She was involved with a charity that arranged hospital beds for the children I treated.’

‘That sounds like her, yes. She was never one to remember that it begins at home.’

He registered her resentment but did not comment on it. ‘They were always very kind to me, and hospitable. Your father is an extremely charming, far-sighted man, and a generous host.’

‘He’s been cheating on her for years, that same, charming George. That wasn’t so far-sighted.’

Edward said nothing, waiting.

‘Cheating with men. I’ve just found out.’

‘Ah. That must have been a very painful discovery for you,’ he said. ‘Unfaithful is hard enough, but the other aspect – I can see you would need time to come to terms with that. You’ve had far too much to contend with lately.’