After the spectacular end to the trial he had absolutely insisted to the administrator of the hospital where Nicky now was that Nicky would recover once she understood about her mother, that it was important that he be allowed to visit her at last, that at last he could help her recovery. Her old psychiatrist, Terence’s old adversary, who had been called in specially had gone back again to Monte Carlo; his final words were: don’t let the bastard near her just because he’s a film star, she’s my patient, make sure she takes her medication. I’ll come back after Christmas and he can pay again for her to be put back into private care.

The administrator had of course been following the Terence Blue trial, was amazed at Terence’s steadfastness even after the stabbing, but said he was clutching at miracles.

‘Perhaps there are miracles,’ said Terence, ‘even in psychiatry.’ The administrator shook his head.

‘Over and over again I have been told she isn’t schizophrenic,’ said Terence.

‘That is correct,’ said the administrator, ‘but—’

‘Nor is she manic-depressive.’

‘That is also correct,’ said the administrator, ‘but the use of categories to describe people who are not functioning is not always useful. You see we have told her about her mother Mr Blue,’ he said. ‘It makes no difference any longer. She hasn’t spoken since your – since the stabbing. And it is dangerous Mr Blue,’ he said. ‘You will have to accept finally and forever what the psychiatrist has told you for years, she had forgotten what happened so long ago until your most inopportune visit reminded her. We understand it is hard for you but you must understand and do what’s best for her. Look what happened in Brighton, you put back her recovery for years. A small private hospital will be the best place for her, for the rest of her life, we will find something suitable after Christmas. That is how you can help her, by allowing her that.’

‘No,’ said Terence, ‘you don’t understand. I understand what happened.’

The administrator repeated: ‘She’s in a catatonic state and we cannot communicate with her, a visit from you cannot help her.’

‘She will speak,’ said Terence.

Finally, because this time Terence simply would not give up, because the psychiatrist he’d punched was not on the staff, because the administrator was quite a kind man (and also a big fan of Terence Blue’s movies although he had not told the psychiatrist that), the administrator agreed: one visit. After Christmas when he would be back in his office and could be present at the interview.

The junior psychiatric nurse on Christmas Day reception duty stood up in surprise and then smiled widely, recognising the famous film star who was stamping snow off his shoes in the doorway.