Unnoticed by us at first, Gratus and I were being closely observed by another difficult slave. Myla had been hovering near us, in that nosy way of hers. As soon as she saw me looking at her, she edged away.

To my surprise, she then suddenly marched across the courtyard. I had never seen her move with so much determination. She went straight to where Galla Simplicia, her cousin and son were talking in a small group, interrupting them in such a rude way that Gratus sucked his breath sharply through his teeth. ‘That’s not acceptable!’

Myla addressed Sextus Simplicius. ‘Am I to be sent to that sale next week?’ she demanded loudly.

Simplicius looked flustered but he answered coolly, ‘It will be sooner than next week. As Valerius Aviola’s executor I can say that all the slaves whose freedom has not been specifically given in his will by their kind master will be going to market, yes indeed.’

Myla had gone red. Her next target was Aviola’s son: ‘You know that’s wrong! You know that was not what your father wanted!’

‘A decision had been made,’ Valerius said quickly, more positive than I had ever seen him.

‘I deserve better than this!’

‘You have always had good treatment.’

‘I was made promises.’

‘I think not. You must accept what has to be.’

‘Oh, young master, you have a kind heart – save me!’

‘No,’ said Valerius. Unable to bear her begging, he turned and walked away.

‘I have a child! What about the child?’ wailed Myla.

‘Do not worry about your offspring!’ Galla Simplicia blocked Myla from following her son. Her voice, normally so light in timbre, became hard: ‘It is not wanted in this household. You shall go together, mother and baby − “Buy one, get one free”.’

Beside me, Gratus gulped. I cringed too. ‘Galla was winning me over today, but that was a cruel put down!’

Gratus turned to me with an odd look. ‘Has anybody told you about her?’

‘Galla Simplicia?’

‘No, the slave woman.’

I mimicked the regular comment around here: ‘Oh, she’s just Myla!’

There was a moment of stillness. I gazed at the steward. He raised his eyebrows expressively, then also shrugged his shoulders in that elegant way he had.

‘I see there is a story. Please tell me?’

‘I could not possibly comment,’ replied Gratus.

‘Oh no! You cannot leave it there, Gratus. I know how things work. There is nothing to single out that slave as special, certainly not diligence at work. Yet normal household management is never applied to her. She herself implies she is untouchable. She does what she likes – normally very little. Polycarpus, though a good steward, use to let her get away with it.’

‘So what does that tell you?’ Gratus whispered secretively.