I sighed and stepped back. ‘I don’t need you to take care of me, Schmidt, I just need to go to bed.’

‘Yes, that is true. We must be up at dawn, for the visit to Abydos. I will put you to bed.’

I laughed and started to protest. The laugh was a mistake. It stretched my lower lip and the cut opened up again. Schmidt’s face softened, and he said, in a voice he seldom used even to me, his favourite flunky, ‘You have done it for me, Vicky, when I was sick or hurting. Let me do something now for you.’

I bent my head to keep him from seeing the tears that stung my eyes. ‘Okay,’ I muttered. ‘Thanks, Schmidt. Just don’t suggest a glass of beer to settle my stomach.’

‘It is very good for a weak stomach,’ Schmidt said seriously. ‘However, I have something better. I will get it while you put on your nightgown. Unless you would like me to help you?’

He gave me a giggle and a leer and trotted out without waiting for an answer. I had time to change and hide the reddening bruises before he got back. He was so sweet and solicitous I swallowed the ghastly stuff he gave me without a whimper, and accepted a sleeping pill as well. After he had tucked me in he stood by the bed looking down at me.

‘Do you want to tell me what is wrong?’

I turned my head away. ‘Nothing’s wrong, Schmidt. I over-indulged, that’s all.’

‘Hmph,’ said Schmidt.

‘Good night, Schmidt. And thanks.’

‘Schlaf’ wohl, Vicky. And do not worry. Farther along we will know all about whatever it may be.’

He had deliberately garbled the quote to make me smile, so I smiled; he patted me clumsily on the shoulder and trotted out, leaving the bedside lamp burning. After he had gone I reached to turn it off. The rose pendant lay on the table, with the broken chain coiled around it like a tiny golden snake.

IV

I’d forgotten to leave a wake-up call, but Schmidt remembered. A good thing, too; I am not used to sleeping pills and I’d have snored on until mid-morning if he hadn’t telephoned to say he was on his way down.

‘Give me half an hour,’ I mumbled pathetically.

‘Fifteen minutes.’