JEN: Alice is very modest, but you know, one day I think we will do something with all her hard work on the epics. For example, as part of Eva’s legacy, we’re thinking of setting up a publication wing of the Foundation. And really, I do love how she shows the development of thinking about these island women, the ancient obsession with it, the destructive instinct during the Renaissance, the gradual acceptance filtering through which you see – you know, from men like Graves and Deleuze. Yes, Deleuze – of course, I can take him or leave him – but what I adore about his writing on desert islands is that he produces this piece for a French fashion magazine in the 1950s, Nouveau Femina, and they don’t publish it! It’s further proof; positive mention of Circe and Calypso is just too scorching. So yes, I love how Alice proved the persistence of this idea.

Jen had arrived at the house, and was drinking the cup of tea Ravi had made her, by the time Parvati called back, forty minutes later.