‘Yes. Dead, just like that. I’m in poor health. Insanity. The doctor said that this is the only way to restore my mental health.’

‘Which doctor is this? He has all the right remedies.’

‘He’s a friend. No receipts. I didn’t pay him anything. He is a cousin of a cousin. I didn’t even have to apply for leave.’

‘Banerjee. I don’t care. What have you got?’

‘Sailor Jack. It was in the prescription.’

‘Dangerous stuff. Here, have some of this.’

The hailstones clattered on the corrugated metal sheet that served as the roof. The thunder was amplified too. They had to speak loudly to be heard, but reverted to a whisper when the Chinese man glared at them. Meanwhile, Banerjee waved at a middle-aged man in a three-piece suit, who looked out of place given the weather and the seedy establishment.

‘Good to see you again, Mr Daruwala. What are you having?’

Daruwala noticed Young. ‘Mr Banerjee,’ he nodded, wagged his finger, and continued, ‘in London, an Englishman told me it is best to exchange pleasantries with new acquaintances. Start with the weather and refrain from direct inquiries about one’s vices. Anyway, excuse me. I’m going to step away and talk to old Percy.’

‘Yes, of course, Mr Daruwala. Pleased to meet you.’

‘Don’t pay any attention to him, Banerjee. The English have one umbrella up their ass, he seems to have two. No one talks about the weather in an opium den,’ Young said, then added, ‘Where is she from?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘You’re the accountant. You know everything.’

‘She behaves like she has never left England.’

‘Is she from Goa?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘You know, all the lifelines are in your hands, at least for the native staff.’

‘Not hers. She speaks to no one. She has been told not to speak to anyone.’

‘How does she manage then?’

‘A direct line with God.’

‘What does that mean?’

‘When the door is closed.’

‘Are you saying—’

‘I didn’t say anything. You’re very inquisitive Mr Young, like a detective.’

‘You don’t like her much, do you?’

‘What’s there to like? She is more English than Mr Thompson. She refuses to talk to anyone. She earns more than the rest of us. Instructions for her are routed from above. She has never been to England, and yet she talks as if she has never left it. She came with him, didn’t she? Why was he removed from the Tea Board?’

‘Do you mean to ask why you were transferred to the corner of the office? I was told that you were in love and wouldn’t stop ogling at her all day long.’