‘They sent me the details and I went to see it – it’s a hostel, really. My own room, yes, but a shared bathroom and kitchen. All filthy. There was a man just sitting drunk in the hallway.’

I felt rotten. The knowledge that it had been a step on the path to freeing Nick didn’t help much – ruin one man’s life to save another’s? It was a hard balance. ‘I’m so sorry,’ I said.

‘And because of what you have done – I don’t even want to know what it actually was – I might never get another job after this one.’ He was right, no doubt. ‘Don’t worry. I haven’t mentioned any of this to Dr Cawson. I can’t because he’s your husband and he’s not likely to take my side, is he?’

‘There are lots of flats that you …’ I trailed off, realizing that I was talking like an idiot. He didn’t want any useless advice; he just wanted me to understand my part in his harsher future. If only I could make up for what I had done to him, but I would probably only make matters worse. ‘I’m sorry,’ I said again.

‘But that doesn’t change anything, does it?’

I turned to watch the junior Party officials trying to use their position to push through the queue, and the young rakes out on the town.

Soon Nick returned with our drinks. ‘Very kind,’ Charles said, as Nick handed out the glasses.

‘I’m sure Charles has been too modest to tell you,’ Nick began, with a glint in his eye. ‘But it’s largely down to him that I’m out of choky.’

‘Is it?’ I said, rather surprised.

‘His connections. He made some calls; I’m sure that’s what got me released.’

‘I doubt it was that entirely, Dr Cawson.’

‘But it must have helped.’ Nick secretly winked at me. He didn’t believe for a moment that Charles’s attempts had helped.

‘Well, perhaps,’ Charles replied.

‘Thank you for that.’

‘Not at all. Although, Dr Cawson, I do believe now is the time for you to join the Party – this might all have been avoided with the right friends.’

Nick looked serious now. ‘Yes, you might be right. I’ve put it off for a long time. But it’s true.’

‘I’m sure it is.’

‘I’ll need a sponsor,’ Nick said. But as he said it he wasn’t looking at Charles. Something was distracting him.

‘Yes, one of your patients, I would say. Would you like me to go through the list?’ He paused. ‘Dr Cawson?’

‘Hmmm?’