Everyone was affected, but the arts community in particular had been decimated. Even the conservative press was reporting on this now, thanks to Rock Hudson and, more recently, Liberace. ‘There’ll be no ballet or theatre or opera unless a cure is found.’

‘And did your gay men’s health group mention when that might be?’ Leonard heard the sarcasm in his voice.

‘You can’t simply dismiss this, Leo.’

Leonard thought Winston unduly pessimistic. He regularly reminded him there were many female victims of AIDS in Africa, children too, and he did so again now.

‘But here it’s called the gay plague,’ Winston said. ‘And I think that’s more relevant to us.’

‘Us’. ‘We’. He hated the way Winston blithely included them in what was happening. But rather than protest, rather than getting bogged down in the same old discussion, Leonard put an end to it by removing himself from the bed and going to the bathroom.

Back in the bedroom after a quick shower, he rummaged around in his drawer for fresh underwear and socks. (‘This is your drawer,’ Winston had said, years ago. ‘So no excuse for untidiness.’)

‘Does Sylvie still believe you’re playing golf on Saturday afternoons?’

The question surprised him. In all the years of their Saturdays together, he could not remember Winston ever asking about this. ‘Why wouldn’t she?’ Leonard was gathering up his dirty clothes and putting them into Winston’s laundry basket. ‘She thinks I shower at the clubhouse — which of course I would do, if ever I played golf.’

He wanted to lighten the mood before he left, and jokes directed at his obsessive cleanliness usually did the trick. But not this time.

‘Asia doesn’t have the same AIDS problem as Australia or America,’ Winston said, as he saw Leonard to the door. ‘Asia has been spared.’

Sylvie was standing in the living room ready to leave when Leonard walked in. She was not happy.

‘I asked you to leave golf early, Leonard. The Barkers invited us for drinks. Remember? Drinks at their place before we go to the restaurant. And they’re expecting us,’ she checked her watch, ‘in eight minutes.’

Of course Sylvie had reminded him, but somehow the details had failed to register. He hated upsetting her, and especially after he’d been with Winston. It brought the two parts of his life uncomfortably close.

‘I’ll be quick.’ And on the way past he gave her a hug. ‘Sorry.’