‘A week ago, my publishers wrote to me about a teaching position in the Creative Writing Masters course at Harare university. It would involve a year’s tutoring, and the pay is excellent.’ He doesn’t turn round. ‘They hope if I’m out there again, the same magic will work. I might even finish my book. The university offered to pay for flights and accommodation.’

He comes back to the table, sits down next to her and takes her wrist in his hand. ‘I’ve been mustering the courage to ask what you think and if you and the kids would come with me.’

She could walk those streets blindfold. She knows the people, the light and the jacaranda trees, the slums and the traffic, the noise, the fights, the dancing in the streets, the whole beautiful city. She can close her eyes and conjure her grandparents’ village in a heartbeat; that smell of dry earth, of eucalyptus trees and roasting maize. She can see the sky. Her heart could open under that endless sky.

‘You go, obviously.’

‘We could find good schools for the kids. They’d love it.’

‘They’re at good schools already.’

His grip on her wrist tightens. ‘I want to fix us, Grace. We met in Africa. What better than a year out there, together?’

She pulls her wrist away. ‘A year apart.’

Melissa

‘I forbid it. Don’t involve Izzy in the trial. It won’t be for months yet.’ Paul’s chin is peppered with gingery stubble, there’s dirt under his fingernails. He looks small, sitting on the other side of the table, defeated. It’s been four weeks but he looks a year older at least. Pentonville is another world, one he can’t dominate. ‘Tell her I don’t need her help.’

Melissa hadn’t wanted to come today, but she’d promised Izzy.

‘She’s planning the statement already. She’s desperate for the chance to read it out, it’s keeping her awake at night. Your permission is mandatory.’

‘I don’t want her exposed to the media.’ He bangs his fist softly on the table. It isn’t loud enough to attract the guard but she has to stop herself flinching. ‘I don’t trust them; they’ll wreak havoc if they scent blood. It could rebound on her.’

He’s uneasy about this. Melissa hadn’t wanted Izzy to be involved either but Izzy had insisted she ask, and she agreed in the end; when Paul’s convicted, which he almost certainly will be, it will be important for Izzy to know she’d tried her best to help her father.

‘It’s an unusual request, but the barrister’s prepared to make an exception and she thinks the judge will grant permission; she just needs yours.’

He’s lost weight, his Adam’s apple visibly jerks up and down when he swallows. ‘Will she be questioned?’