Lord Parr wanted me back at the palace by seven. I was likely to be heavily involved with this for many days. Fortunately it was out of law term and the courts were not in session. I would have to ask Barak to do some extra preparation work on cases I had in hand, and supervise Nicholas and Skelly. Uncomfortably I realized that I would have to lie to Barak and Nicholas; I could tell them I was involved in investigating the printer’s murder, but only on behalf of his family, and I must say nothing about the hunt for the Queen’s missing book. I hated the thought of lying to Barak especially, but there was no obvious alternative I could see.

On impulse, I turned north, heading for the street of little houses where Barak lived with his wife, Tamasin. He would be at work but she would likely be at home this time of day. Like Barak, Tamasin was an old friend; the three of us had been through much together, and I had an urge to talk with someone ordinary, commonsensical, with no taste for intrigue; and to see my little godson. I wanted a moment of normality, perhaps the last I would be allowed for some time.

I tied Genesis to the post outside their house and knocked on the door. It was answered by their servant, Goodwife Marris, a formidable widow of middle age. She curtsied. ‘Master Shardlake, we were not expecting you.’

‘I was nearby, I came on impulse. Is Mistress Barak in?’

‘Ay, and the master, too. He came home for lunch. I was about to clear the plates away.’ I realized I had had nothing to eat. Goodwife Marris showed me into the little parlour overlooking Tamasin’s small, immaculately kept garden. The shutters were open and the room was filled with the scent of summer flowers. Barak was sitting at the table with Tamasin, empty plates and mugs of beer before them. Jane began clearing the plates away. Tamasin looked well, her pretty face contented and happy. ‘This is a welcome surprise, sir,’ she said. ‘But you have missed lunch.’

‘I forgot about it.’

She clicked her tongue. ‘That is not good for you.’

Barak looked at me. ‘I came home to eat. I thought Skelly could keep an eye on young Nick for that long.’

‘That is all right.’ I smiled as a little figure in a white robe and a woollen cap tied in a bow came crawling out from under the table to see what was happening. He looked at me with Barak’s brown eyes, smiled and said, ‘Man!’

‘’Tis his new word,’ Tamasin said proudly. ‘See, he begins to speak.’