“Mein Gott! Birgit! Was machst du hier?” Willy was happy to see her. He kissed her on both cheeks and beamed at her.

“She’s in town on a layover,” I said, once she’d answered in German. “I ran into her at the President this evening. I hope you don’t mind that I brought her along.”

“Of course not, Danny Boy. She is always welcome. Come, let us get you both a drink.”

“How long are you in Bombay?” I asked when he handed me my whisky.

“Until Sunday. I have business in Poona Monday.”

Sunday. That gave me several days if I played my cards right. I scanned the room, looking for Sushmita, but didn’t spot her right away. There was Arkady, the Russian guy who’d been at the last party; Marthe, the German woman I’d met twice before; two Englishwomen; three Indian couples; and Ash Pethe. He was chatting up two pretty French girls who looked like a couple of hippie tourists who’d cleaned up nice for Willy’s party. A few minutes later, the three of them left together, looking awfully cozy with each other.

I surveyed the room again for Sushmita, but came up empty. Willy was all eyes for Birgit, who sparkled under the spotlight of his attentions. I maneuvered my way over to them, intending to find out where Sushmita was as soon as they could tear themselves away from each other.

They were engaged in a lighthearted conversation in German, effectively shutting me out. I waited for my opening.

“And where is the lovely Sushmita?” I asked, once the two had come up for air. “I never got the chance to thank her for her hospitality.”

“I’m afraid she wasn’t eager to spend six hours with me in the car,” said Willy. “She’s still cross about Chhotu. But she asked me to tell you she misses you.”

“How nice.”

He turned back to Birgit, and I was forgotten.

I nursed my drink, thinking of Sushmita. Why hadn’t she come? And why hadn’t she sent me some kind of word as she’d promised. I was feeling neglected, sitting there next to Willy as he flirted with Birgit.

And then I got it.

The 23:45 train pulled out of VT—Victoria Terminus—on time. I hadn’t bothered to pack anything. I simply slipped away from Willy’s party and jumped into a taxi. I ended up in a third-class seat since there was no time to buy a better ticket. Reservations required advanced bookings. I didn’t mind. It was only a couple of hours.