‘No, this’ll be perfect.’

‘If you’re sure. I think on the whole I’d be happier with something a bit more exciting myself.’

But Gary was adamant. He paid for the book, took it home, and for the rest of the afternoon immersed himself in the culture of the East. It took his mind off Sarah for a while, and it was not a wasted exercise. He had never met Mr Tan, but now he seemed to be able to see him, if not more clearly, then at least through a glass darkly.

Monday morning dawned cold and damp. It was not the perfect day for gardening and, anyway, Christopher had other things on his mind. He greeted Maria warmly, but she could see that he was preoccupied.

‘I’m nipping out for a while,’ he told her. ‘I should be back about lunchtime.’

‘Fine. Lunch at about one?’

He turned towards her and she felt the need to reassure him. ‘It’s only cold stuff so it doesn’t matter what time. But I can do some soup to warm you up.’

Her kindness pricked his conscience. ‘Thanks. That will be lovely.’ He looked at her for a moment, unsure what to say, then smiled hesitantly and turned to go. He stopped at the door. ‘I really am grateful, you know. I do appreciate it.’

She looked down. ‘Oh…it’s nothing.’

There were no more words between them, just a glance. To Christopher, in that split second, it seemed that something had touched him–reached out and reassured him. He hoped that he wasn’t convincing himself there was more to it than there was. In spite of his worries about Randall Cummings and Reggie Silverwood the existence of Maria in his life, and the return of Ellie, had cheered him up more than he could have imagined. Ellie. He must make time for her. Tonight he would cook her supper. Talk to her more. They had only spoken in fits and starts since she had come home. On Saturday she had gone out shopping and then off to see a friend in the evening. On Sunday she had gone to see more friends while he pottered in the greenhouse. Tonight he would make up for it. Cook her something special. But first he would go to the hospital.

Dr Armstrong was apologetic. ‘I’m sorry you didn’t know. It didn’t occur to me to say at the time.’

Christopher was standing in front of the young doctor in his office at the end of one of the wards. ‘So the organs were removed straight away?’

‘Almost immediately, yes. The corneas, kidneys, the other useful bits.’

‘And the rest of the body?’

‘Off to a teaching hospital. I’m not sure which one.’ Then he looked a little apprehensive. ‘It was all done quite properly. All the forms were signed.’