‘I hope you’re clever enough to understand his way of doing things,’ Marina said. ‘It will be quite different from anything you’ve experienced, especially if you’re going to New York. They’re all so brash over there. So mad about money and more money. You need to be careful, Camilla.’

‘Apparently he has a good reputation. After New York I can have my scar removed. Maybe I’ll even do it there.’

‘Edward would be hurt by that, Camilla. I can see that he’s in love with you.’

‘Mother, can’t you try and understand that I don’t want to get involved with anyone? Not now or any time soon.’

For a moment Marina lay with her eyes shut and Camilla wondered if she had fallen asleep. Then she reached out and took Camilla by the hand. ‘He wasn’t good enough for you. He wasn’t right. Lovely for a little romance on holiday, but he has no depth. An empty young man. Your father said he’d seen him in Nairobi on this last trip. He told me about the girl. You must put Africa behind you now, darling. It’s time to forget all the sadness and danger and violence.’

‘Daddy saw Anthony?’

‘Didn’t he tell you?’ Marina closed her eyes again. ‘Well, I don’t suppose he thought it very important. Camilla?’

‘Yes?’

‘You won’t be away for long periods at a time, will you?’

‘No, Mother. I’ll be close by.’

All through dinner Camilla was distracted, her mind returning constantly to George’s meeting with Anthony. She could not think of any way to bring the conversation round to the subject without giving away her anxiety, and she did not want to display her vulnerability in front of Edward. When the two men left for the Bear Inn, she reluctantly decided to wait up for her father so that she could question him. He returned within the hour and was plainly happy to see her still up.

‘Nightcap?’ he asked. ‘I had a drink with Edward but another small whisky would be just the thing. It’s bitter out there. I have some twelve-year-old Glenfiddich in the cupboard.’ He poured the drinks and stood with his back to the fire.

‘Mother says you saw Anthony Chapman in Nairobi?’

‘Look, my dear, I understand that didn’t work out and I’m sorry. I hope you didn’t care for him too much.’ George was decidedly uncomfortable. ‘But I did run into him, yes.’

‘And?’