He gave me a sedative when we got in and told me not to say anything, simply to sleep and we would talk about it in the morning. I couldn’t have spoken if I had tried. He stroked my head and wiped my cheeks dry, and I felt warmth spread over me like a blanket as the memory of what had happened that evening melted away. It was something that had happened to someone else.

I have images of the days that came after; but nothing is clear now. Just Nick sitting patiently by my side. But there is a memory I do have, distinct in my mind, of a time when I woke up and he wasn’t there. It was an afternoon and I heard a woman’s voice downstairs, strong and clear. I lifted myself out of bed and rubbed my clammy skin. I wasn’t sure how long I had been asleep. Opening the door just a crack, I heard the voice again.

‘… anything I can do for her?’

‘No, no. I don’t think there’s much anyone can do. Time. That’s all.’

‘Yes, that’s right. You’re still coming for Hazel on Sunday?’

‘Yes.’

‘Stay to dinner?’

‘Thanks, but no, I should come straight back. I’m needed here.’

There was a pause. ‘Nick, I wanted to say something.’

‘About this?’

‘About something else.’

‘Oh, yes?’ he said.

‘It’s your choice, of course, but – Ian Fellowman. I saw you were angling for an introduction. You have heard about him, haven’t you?’

‘Heard what?’

‘He has a side to him.’

‘Meaning?’

She hesitated. ‘Well, I saw George Orwell – Eric – on the street just last month, walking past that restaurant that used to be Rules. I was meeting a chum there. I pointed him out and was about to call over because I hadn’t seen him for ages, but then Sabrina grabbed me and warned me off. It seems he was put in one of those re-education camps for that silly story he wrote about the animals. And it was Ian Fellowman who put him there.’ She paused again. ‘Darling, I’ve met real fanatics, and they don’t look like fanatics: their eyes don’t swivel or stand out on stalks; they just look like middle managers in off-the-peg suits. Really, I’m serious, Fellowman’s damn well toxic. You must watch yourself.’

‘Thanks for the warning.’

‘All right. Yes. Well, look, I really must make tracks.’ There was silence. I wondered why they weren’t speaking. ‘Do you think she’ll be all right? It’s a terrible thing to happen.’

‘She’s in a pretty bad state. I’ll go and check on her in a minute,’ he replied.

‘Yes. Do be kind. Cheerio.’

‘Goodbye.’