‘To think ahead has always been my way, and this discussion had to take place between us eventually.’

‘But there’s only one aspect of what you said that I’m interested in right now.’

‘Which aspect was that?’

‘That you love me, and for the moment the rest can go hang. I want you to come to England and meet my family.’

‘Only if you will reciprocate and come to Berlin. Ben also, if it can be arranged. It is time our children got to know each other, Howard.’

Though he had not meant to mention marriage, uttering the words had confirmed for Howard that he wanted to share the rest of his life with Karin. And knowing she loved him was as balm to his soul, after Ben’s rejecting him.

He would not, of course, give up on his son. Nor was he prepared to accept that the hurdles Karin had listed were insurmountable.

Chapter Eight

Arnold’s calling her was a rare occurrence for Marianne. When on a blustery spring morning he did so, her reaction was as always somewhat wary.

Listening to his lengthy reasons for not having been in touch, doodling on her notepad and wishing Arnold would get to the point of his call, regret that such was their relationship had its depressing effect upon her. Once, she’d felt close to both her brothers, and still did to Harry despite the change in him.

The change in Arnold, though, was as if he had erected a wall of pomp between himself and the family. ‘Cut the excuses, will you!’ Marianne interrupted him. ‘I haven’t been in touch with you, either.’

‘Just so long as you understand I haven’t stopped caring about you, Marianne.’

‘Nor I about you.’

But Arnold’s caring had its limits. In some respects he and Jake Bornstein were two of a kind. Except that Jake’s narrowness seemed only to apply to his nearest and dearest. Jake would have a fit if his son were gay, thought Marianne, but his attitude to Matthew and Pete was that their private lives were their own. Arnold, on the other hand, applied his personal standards across the board and would, were it in his power, turn back the clock so far as homosexual freedom was concerned.

Matthew remains the skeleton in Sir Arnold Klein’s cupboard, Marianne was reflecting when he said, ‘So will you do it for me?’

Her wariness returned. ‘Will I do what?’

‘You’re no different now from when you were a kid!’ he exclaimed. ‘Thinking your own thoughts instead of listening to what I’m saying to you. It used to drive me mad.’

‘Would you like to hear some of the things about you that drove me mad? I could also put that into the present tense.’

‘Let’s not get into a row, Marianne. Blood remains thicker than water. And I want a favour from you.’

‘Oh yes?’