‘She is coming in from France this afternoon to see him. Can you be here?’

‘I’m in theatre, but I will send one of my senior registrars to answer any questions and accompany Lady Trevelyan-Tubal. Just let my secretary know when she is coming if you can and he’ll be waiting. I’ll alert him.’

Mr Abbott and the Matron escort Julian all the way to the front steps where nurses in their dress uniform sometimes assemble to wave goodbye to recovered members of the royal family. Rather brusquely he hands his file to a junior doctor. The Bentley receives Julian and only then does Mr Abbott turn back. Vulcanised hearts, Julian thinks. Where has he heard that phrase? He knows by the backward glances that Len is anxiously waiting for news of the governor as Julian rings Nigel. He relies too heavily on Nigel.

‘He’s not going to recover.’

‘Oh, I’m so sorry, Jules.’

‘The strange thing is he looks more alive than he has for months. He grins and squeezes your hand and his eyes are looking around eagerly. It’s horrible.’

‘It was the same with my mother, Jules. It was very painful. You feel guilty when they ask you to agree to turn them off. By the way, we’re making some progress with finding your brother. A small aircraft has located him and they have found a safari camp that will send out a boat to intercept him. And also, Jules, the rating agency is not considering a downgrade.’

‘Good news.’

‘Just by the way, the FSA have sent us a letter asking for some detail on the assets, but it’s pretty standard stuff; don’t worry, I can handle it. As long, of course, as Cy comes up with the cash fairly promptly.’

‘OK, thanks. Tennis, Sunday?’

‘Absolutely. It’s the highlight of my week.’

‘Me too. Sad bastards. Mr Abbott says that we should turn him off when my brother has been, and you and I should go to Chicago as soon after as we can. The funeral will be the following week and we’ll plan for a memorial in October. Can you work out a schedule?’

‘Of course. And another thing, Estelle wants to see him one last time.’

‘I’ll call her. I’m not sure this is a good moment, loyal though she has been. Do you think I can say family only?’

‘Probably not, Jules. She came over in the air ambulance with him and what she wants more than anything is to feel part of the family.’

‘One of us. You’re right. I’ll try to make sure she doesn’t meet up with Fleur or Kim and the children. She has a sort of holy possessiveness. Yes, I know what you are thinking: you’re thinking she bore the burden for months. All true.’