Terrance came back in the room and busied himself with the mess on the floor.

‘A gentleman called Donald Reilly, madam.’

‘Lord Reilly?’ she asked.

The officer nodded. ‘I’m so sorry, madam.’

‘Christ.’ Her hand flew to her mouth. ‘What the hell was he doing with Donald? I mean… But Christmas… His mother. Oh my God; Fabian! I need to tell Fabian. How can I do that?’ she asked Terrance, who stopped rubbing and looked up at her. Everything seemed to slow down, like an old movie which was dubbed badly.

‘I can’t breathe,’ she said suddenly. One of the officers went to her and knelt in front of her. He said something but she had no idea what it was. All she knew was that panic had begun to spread across her body and she no longer seemed in control of it.

‘This isn’t happening, it can’t be happening,’ she said. That sounded right, she thought. ‘No, it’s not happening, you’ve made a mistake, how do you know? What was Donald doing in the helicopter, for God’s sake?’ Her voice was becoming pitchy and the officers looked awkward.

‘We’re part of the family liaison team, Vivienne, and we’re expecting another colleague along shortly, who’ll be able to give you some more information. You’ve had a shock. We’re here to stay as long as you need us.’

‘Need you? Why would I need you? Terrance, tell them to go away. I can’t breathe.’ She tried to stand up.

The officers nodded understanding to Terrance, who escorted them out to the huge hallway, also decorated for the season. He ushered them into another reception room and left them there, while he went back to his mistress.

‘Terry, did I just hear that right? Have they gone? Why did they come here?’

‘Ma’am – Viv – you’re in shock. You need to take a sedative. Here.’ He opened a box on the mantelpiece and took out a couple of pills, giving them to her with another refill of wine.

‘I’ll call Fabian. He’ll be here as soon as I can get him.’ He knelt in front of her and held her as she fell forward. Her breathing was shallow and erratic. Her body shook.

‘I’m here, Viv, I’m here.’

‘Oh my God,’ was all she could repeat over and over again, until the drugs kicked in and she went a little limp. He laid her gently back and placed a blanket over her.

‘Terry,’ she whispered. He turned and went to her, taking the glass from her hand.

‘It’s all right, Viv, everything will be okay,’ he said.

‘Call George,’ she said.

‘Of course. Now, you rest.’

He left her and went back to the waiting officers.

They looked as though they did this sort of thing all the time, but equally, they gave the impression that they cared.