‘Mother, please! Enough of your moralising,’ Massa say, putting him plate down. ‘I am sure our cousins are quite aware of the Creole lifestyle. And if they are not, it’s high time they learnt. All that fancy education and good breeding – how do you think it gets paid for?’ pouring himself a large glass of ginger beer. Gulping it down. ‘Sacrifices. Hard work. Living under conditions they would not deign to endure!’

Mistress Caroline pour some water from a jug onto her kerchief. Use it to dab her face, trying to cool down.

‘Quite right!’ she say. ‘It has been an education to see how members of the ruling class conduct themselves out here in the colonies.’

‘Oh, Caroline, be quiet. You’re always sticking your nose in where you shouldn’t,’ Master Jack say, but Mistress Caroline ignore him and just keep going.

‘And why they fight so fiercely in parliament to protect their little island home. Not only to maintain their wealth through the trading rights they have acquired, but also certain freedoms – freedoms that would perhaps not be looked at so charitably in the drawing rooms of London.’

‘I would not be so quick to judge,’ Massa say, anger rising in him voice. ‘Our way of life pours money into the coffers of England. It makes her one of the wealthiest nations and allows you both to live in the style you have grown accustomed to. You have no idea of the labour and expense involved in acquiring new slaves, especially since they outlawed the slave trade. Every year the price of a good working Negro goes up and up, while the price of sugar keeps fluctuating, and profits get slimmer and slimmer,’ Massa say, gulping down more ginger beer. ‘Profits you have the luxury of enjoying. It would be niggardly to sit in judgement and be ungrateful for our efforts,’ and him sound very put out.

‘We are very grateful for all your efforts,’ Master Jack say. ‘And I don’t have a problem with the Creole lifestyle. I see that most cut the cloth both ways. It’s the French style. They have a wife and what would pass for a mistress.’

‘However, this is not the case. Is it, Cargill?’ Mistress Caroline ask, jumping in again. ‘You have no wife and yet you have children. Children who are slaves. How can you live like this?’

‘That’s enough, Caroline. Mind your manners,’ Master Jack say. ‘This is not your business, or mine for that matter.’

‘Oh, I think it is,’ Mistress Caroline say. ‘I think it is very much our business,’ she say, looking at me sitting under the tree trying to catch a little shade, turning away like me minding me own business. ‘And what of the slaves? Do you think it is their wish to be denied their freedom? You may treat them in a debased fashion, but this does not mean it is their true nature.’