‘The King apparently did not marry the lady of his own choice, a certain lady of the court and quite eligible for a royal match. But he bowed to duty. As we all must. As we all ought to! But at least the marriage, although dull, is said to be a happy one – and something must be said for that!’

Kerensa had heard something about the King herself. That he was a devoutly religious man and kindly to his wife and probably wouldn’t approve of her husband’s present behaviour.

‘The colonial war we’ve been engaged in on land in Germany and on the ocean with objectives in Asia and America I’m delighted to report is going well for us. We’re running down France’s navy and have taken a station off that country at Pondicherry. It seems to me there is little risk of our own country being invaded, as some people fear. I must say I envy all those fighting for King and country!’

As if he had run out of steam Oliver sat down but before anyone could say a word he resumed his speech. Kerensa knew he had the intention of keeping them seated at the table for as long as it suited him. After remarking that the nation was becoming increasingly industrialised he moved on to topics closer to home. He proposed a toast to the members of the parish of Perranbarvah who had died in the last year.

‘We saw the demise of forty-eight inhabitants in all, sadly not many through the natural causes of old age. Many died as the result of a fishing boat tragedy,’ he looked at Kerensa with hostile eyes, ‘a most painful occurrence. Then there was the mine accident, in which many were lost, a case of blood poisoning, two women lost in childbed, five children lost through the measles, a fall by a roof thatcher, the drowning of a swimmer and a suspected case of murder through suffocation. Other local events of tragedy include the foundering of two ships in Mount’s Bay with the loss of all hands…’

Kerensa’s face was flushed and she signalled to Polly, who was clearing away dishes from the sideboard, to fetch her a fan. When the fan was in her hands and put rigorously to use Sir Martin motioned Polly to place the still laden food dishes around him so he could partake of a second supper.