‘How do I know if you are telling me the truth?’

‘You don’t. What would you like to hear? That they thought his paintings were wonderful. Then why were they in a warehouse?’

She felt severe, but he couldn’t be expecting the genius revelation.

‘I suppose I hoped they might have acknowledged making a mistake.’

‘They don’t make mistakes. If they do, they don’t recognise them.’

‘OK. Thank you for going. I appreciate it enormously and I’m glad you had a good time and I’m sorry it has knackered you.’

‘Done what to me?’

‘You know, I mean, tired you out.’

A censorious pause.

‘I am doing this for you, you know, Ever.’

‘Then why did you say we had a problem?’

‘Did I?’

‘You did, you know you did. Last night, first thing you said, why do you think I didn’t sleep?’

‘I think in a strange way Ever, I am joining you on your journey. It seems to be determining its own destination.’

‘I need a shower.’

It seemed too much for Ever to handle. Too hot. Too fucking obtuse. Too much for Ever.

*

Myalgic encephalomyelitis, ME, chronic fatigue syndrome, CFS, or Epstein–Barr.

All provide symptoms of intense and chronic fatigue; she had days when her physical condition could have indeed indicated all of these as possible diagnoses. Initially her exhaustion was put down to the contraction of Epstein–Barr, human herpesvirus 4.

It took two years for her blood to reveal the presence of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV.

This could only be traced back to the blood transfusion and the use of unscreened blood. She was taking antiretrovirals to boost her immune system and keep her CD4 T blood count at acceptable levels to avoid the collapse of her system into Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS. But stress and exhaustion put her immune system under pressure; the concern was for her not to contract tuberculosis or develop lymphoma or any of the other essentially fatal conditions associated with the syndrome.

*

Ever appeared washed: to have brushed up well; the face damage looked less dramatic and he was dressed in non-smelling clothes.

Black T-shirt and a pair of blue jeans and sneakers. He was not as sartorially exciting as Lomita. But he had the devastating effect of youth on his side.

‘Would you like me to wheel you round the block?’

He said from outside the door.

Not one of the most exciting offers she’d ever had, but it was from Ever and that made it one of the most special.

‘That would be lovely, my sweet. Give me thirty minutes.’

He could have joined in as a chorus from the ­‘give me’ stage. Always waiting for Lomita.

Chapter Thirty

He didn’t exactly know if he was trying to kill his mother.