When they reach Julian’s office, he says, ‘OK, the FSA want some more detail. It’s purely political; banks are everyone’s hate figures and the government and the FSA need to look tough. All you have to do is sign a letter that essentially says that we have understood and we are taking steps to implement the new rules about liquidity. I have had to produce some more figures. But I have drafted a reply that includes upcoming ratings informally. The FSA can go to their masters to tell them we have responded and that will be that. We could delay things by asking counsel to draft an opinion as to whether the new rules apply to us at all, but is that worth it? It might just attract attention. Let me read what I have said.’

He reads.

‘Brilliant. OK, let’s sign and send it off.’

‘And can I fix a flight to Chicago?’

‘Just run the dates by Cy’s office.’

‘Of course.’

Sitting under the Hodgkin he signs on behalf of the bank. They discuss the funeral. Fleur has rung to say that brother Simon, back home, will come to dinner and wants to read a poem or two of his own and an extract from his award-winning travel-trade article, ‘What’s the Point of Travel?’ Perhaps his thinking is that his father is going on a journey. He has also recommended a coffin of woven hemp.

Estelle arrives and Julian feels less lonely, as though in her busyness she is bringing a necessary quotidian quality to proceedings. She’s wearing a sober business suit. Her new blue glasses are large; she looks as though she is peering out of two portholes. He wonders if she ever hoped to have an affair with his father.

‘Thanks, Estelle. I know what you did for him and I appreciate it. I’m so glad you were there at the last.’

‘He was a wonderful man. It was an absolute honour to work for him.’

It’s one of those remarks you can’t decently argue with.

‘Have you spoken to Fleur?’

‘Yes, we are going to draw up the lists together. I have already made a draft.’

‘How do you think she is?’

‘She’s coping.’

She doesn’t like Fleur. It’s a kind of jealousy over possession of the essential Harry. And now she has trumped Fleur by being there as Harry’s soul departed his body. She’s trumped us all in the devotional stakes.