‘I’ve organised a car and driver to pick us up,’ George said. ‘If I need to come back to town before the new year, I’ll take a train up. But it’s unlikely.’ He stopped and made an elaborate task of pouring Camilla’s champagne. He glanced at Marina, but she had found something of interest in the newspaper, and he was left to flounder on alone. ‘Edward will drive down and join us tomorrow evening. He’s spoken to Dr Ward and they’ve worked things out in case of emergencies. He seems to be happy with the whole idea.’

It was Camilla’s idea of a nightmare and a farce. She tried to imagine them all in the sitting room in Burford, deliberately and falsely cheerful, playing out a charade for a spoiled, dying woman. Now there was no way that she could get out of being there. She was a pawn again in her parents’ sparring match, and there was nothing she could do but accept her role.

‘You shouldn’t have done this,’ she said after dinner, as she packed Marina’s clothes. ‘I think you should telephone and say you’ve changed your mind. It’s so unfair on Edward.’

‘He said he’d be delighted.’ Marina was pouting.

‘What else could he say, for heaven’s sake? Honestly, Mother, you have no limits.’

‘If he doesn’t want to join us and you think it would be such a trial, then we’ll ask Winston Hayford. I know he’s free for Christmas and he wouldn’t mind being with me.’

‘You’re sick. Your mind is sick.’

Camilla spun out of the room and flung on her coat, passing her father in the sitting room as he sat staring vacantly at the flickering screen of the television. At Tom’s flat the crowded party was in full cry, but he saw her right away and pushed his way towards her, taking her to one side.

‘There’s someone I want you to meet. His name’s Saul Greenberg and he’s been in my office half the afternoon. He has a proposal for us.’

‘Not tonight, Tom, for heaven’s sake. It’s Christmas, in case you haven’t noticed, and I’m going to the country with Mother tomorrow, on nursing duty. Tonight I just want to have a drink and smoke a little, and get myself psyched up for it all.’

‘This is important,’ he insisted, handing her a glass filled with ice and vodka.