He didn’t like her being like this, but he understood her frustration. She had held it in pretty well until now. The thing was, he agreed with her; something had to give. And if they went to Scotland or Wales, what then? How would that help Klara? She’d seem more out of place there than in Cambridge which, by comparison, was pretty darned cosmopolitan. Anyway, running further away, living a furtive life looking over their shoulders in a far corner of the country, simply was not an appetising long-term prospect for any of them, least of all Klara. It was no more a true solution than this sojourn in Trinity Villa.

‘You know, every time I sneak out to the shops I think I’m going to get shot or stabbed,’ Lydia said.

‘No one’s going to do that. The killer is locked up.’

‘Well, that’s how I feel. And I’m scared for Johnny. And for you, come to that. I’m worried about your burns. They need proper attention. You should have stayed in hospital.’

Klara appeared at the door with Johnny on her shoulders. Wilde stared, wide-eyed, for a moment, then laughed.

‘He thinks I’m a horse, Tom,’ Klara said, laughing.

‘Well, don’t let him exhaust you. You’ve had quite a fever.’

‘Come on, Johnny, down you get.’

Klara swung him from her shoulders and deposited him gently on the floor but he immediately started stamping and whining and holding out his arms, indicating he wanted to get back in the saddle, so she sighed and picked him up again.

Wilde looked at Klara, wishing Sunny could have seen her like this, rather than as a ‘bloody Narzisse’. And what was it Eaton had said on the phone about having some sort of present for her? A shame he hadn’t handed it over – she deserved something nice. He glanced at Lydia. She, too, was smiling. Perhaps the crisis was over for the moment. Somehow or other they would get through this.

‘Well,’ Wilde said, ‘I suppose it’s my turn to make some supper as you cooked Christmas dinner. Anyone for leftover chicken sandwiches?’

‘Perfect,’ Lydia said. ‘If they come with a good shot of whisky. My need is great.’

*