‘Nothing as complicated. Phil was keen on me going to University and the way the business expanded, I certainly never had to worry about money. I went to the London School of Economics and read law.’

‘And then found you didn’t want to become a lawyer?’

‘Something like that.’

‘But why the police?’

‘Why not?’

‘You know what I mean.’

‘Perfectly. I get it from Phil at least twice a day. Labourers in uniform, a working man’s profession. Big men, small brains. Isn’t that how it runs?’

‘I didn’t say that.’

‘No one ever does, but that’s roughly what they mean.’

He was suddenly angry. He walked back into the other room, opened the window and leaned into the rain. She followed him in, placed the tray on the table and moved to his side.

‘I’m sorry, Nick. Truly I am.’

He grinned tightly. ‘People are funny. A solicitor misappropriates a client’s funds, a schoolmaster criminally assaults a child; they get what they deserve. No more, no less. But no one would dream of attacking either of their professions as a whole. That kind of reasoning never applies where the police are concerned.’

‘I said I was sorry.’

‘When the chips are down, people always are. When they need help, they can’t reach a telephone fast enough.’

She placed a hand on his sleeve and when she spoke, her voice was strangely subdued. ‘It means a lot to you, doesn’t it?’

He looked down at her, no expression in those strange dark eyes, but there was a harsh finality in his voice. ‘I wouldn’t be anything else. Not now or ever, Jean.’

And then she smiled and her hand reached up to touch his face in a gesture that meant more than any kiss. ‘That’s all right then, isn’t it? Come and have your tea.’

They sat by the fire in companionable silence and Nick drank his tea and watched her. She closed her eyes and rested her head against the back of the chair looking strangely defenceless.

‘Tell me something,’ he said. ‘About Ben – are you worried? Really worried, I mean?’

She opened her eyes and it was there, no need for her to try to put it into words. ‘All my life I wanted to get out of Khyber Street. And I managed it, Nick. I’m where I want to be in a calmer, more ordered world. And now Ben has to come back to spoil it all.’ The knuckles of her hands gleamed whitely as her fingers interlaced. ‘God, how I hate him.’

Nick leaned forward, a slight frown on his face. ‘You really mean that, don’t you?’