‘I cannot. My wife brings another man to our flat, even when I am there. She laughs at me when I ask her not to. She says … she says personal things about my body and tells me if I was a proper man, she would not have to. I am ashamed. My parents should not have to bear that.’

Maclure picked up the form that remained only half-completed.

‘It’s Osaki, right? Tell me if I mispronounced that. I, too, am guilty of not being as worldly as I should be. As a counsellor, I try never to take a path where I demonise a partner or take sides. There’s always a lot left unsaid both between couples and between us in here, but all partnerships are based on mutual respect. If you know in your heart that you’ve been properly respectful to your wife, then you’re entitled to be shown an equal amount of respect in return. Perhaps it’s not you who’s dishonouring your marriage. I understand that your culture puts a different emphasis on the roles within a marriage, but I think it’s a universal truth that an inequality between two people in an intimate relationship almost always spells disaster.’

‘The cause no longer matters. I cannot find work. I cannot pay the rent. I cannot even satisfy my wife. I have disobeyed my parents and brought shame on myself. I am here because death is the only path I can see to redeem myself.’

‘All right, let’s think about that for a moment,’ Maclure said. ‘Did you want to try the coffee? It’s not great, but I’ve seen so many cups get cold if we don’t take a break from talking. Did you want yours?’

‘Thank you, no. I don’t like coffee.’ Osaki commented.

His head was bowed so low Maclure could hardly hear him.

‘Did you ask Vicki for tea or water, then? I can get you something else.’

‘No, I did not ask for anything, but the offer is appreciated.’

Maclure looked towards the door where Vicki had exited, wondering how their newest recruit was managing to get even the simplest of tasks wrong, given her impressive CV and references. At the very least, she was going to have to learn to leave her mobile alone during work hours. Nothing told people they were worthless like someone fiddling with a phone when they needed attention.

‘You mentioned death,’ Maclure said matter-of-factly. ‘Is that an option you’ve been actively considering?’

‘It is inevitable. There is no other possibility,’ Osaki announced.

‘Well, let’s agree to disagree on that point just for now. Suicide prevents you from redeeming yourself. You can’t make things better with your parents, or plan a new life. It causes as much pain as it resolves. And it’s not always successful. There can be terrible non-fatal consequences.’