‘That is probably one of the oldest stories in the world,’ I told him, for indeed it is.

I was too tired to take a shower that night: all I wanted was to go to boo-boo’s. I brushed my teeth, of course. As I did so I realized why the nice chap at the Pistol and Rifle Club had been so keen on introducing me to the chap who would cast bullets in anything.

Silver was what he had had in mind.

6

I said ‘she must be swift and white,

And subtly warm, and half perverse,

And sweet, like sharp soft fruit to bite,

And like a snake’s love lithe and fierce.’

Men have guessed worse.

Felise

We had another conference the next morning. Sonia, it seemed, was bearing up and getting about a little, but Violet’s case was worse: she had quite stopped speaking and, although she followed you with her eyes, she moved no other part of herself. Sam had got one spoonful of Brand’s celebrated Calves’ Foot Jelly into her; the second time she had bitten the spoon. After that she wouldn’t open her mouth at all. The doctor had mumbled about some sort of psychotic withdrawal which he himself clearly wasn’t on very good terms with, and had given her another generous needleful of sedative.

‘He didn’t quite say “go on taking the tablets”,’ said Sam, ‘but you could see the words on the tip of his tongue. If she hasn’t snapped out of it tomorrow I’m getting a second opinion.’

We all nodded and made kindly murmuring sounds, except George who said ‘bloody swine’ several times.

Sam asked me if I could recommend a good pistol and how should he go about getting one. I told him, and advised a good vintage piece which would be an investment. He didn’t seem too interested in that aspect, he wanted something which could be depended upon to punch large and painful holes into rapists.