Perhaps being so preoccupied with details took his mind off the flight itself. Diana knew that, because he’d spent his whole professional life aware of catastrophes, the word plane for him was automatically followed by crash. He wouldn’t be aware, since he no longer listened to the news or read a paper, that two bombs had been planted in this airport only a few months ago, one to explode in Japan just before it was loaded on to a plane bound for India, the other exploding in mid-flight over Ireland, also on its way to India. Terrorists and hijackers were less likely to get on a plane flying to Palm Springs.

Diana wasn’t privy in the same way to Constance’s fears. Just now she seemed withdrawn as she had been in the car. Often being in the public world made her hyperactive, both acutely aware and confused. Perhaps having the wheelchair to hang on to gave her an anchor and responsibility.

David went through customs ahead of them so that he could manage the suitcases, which needed to be lifted up on to a ramp, cleared, and then carried to a moving belt which carried them out to the loading station. Diana managed to speak for both Constance and herself, willing the wheelchair into a throne from which she could command the customs officer’s attention. Constance could have done it herself, but she stayed focused on getting Diana through.

Freed of luggage, David took over the chair when they got to the escalator where he turned it round and tipped it backwards on to the moving stairs. Constance stood and watched as they moved up away from her.

David, trapped behind Diana’s chair, called out, ‘Constance!’

Diana, too, called out, ‘Constance, come with us!’

But Constance seemed unable to move.

At the top David shoved Diana abruptly away from the escalator exit and flung himself down the stationary stairs. Diana inexpertly turned herself around to see what was happening. In a moment, there were David and Constance making their way up the stairs.

‘Bomb shelters,’ Constance said.

The escalator had obviously called up the memory of London tube stations used as bomb shelters during the war, but, restored to Diana’s chair, Constance walked resolutely along until they got to their waiting area where they had the pick of the chairs.

‘We’re early,’ David said. ‘Well, so far, so good.’