‘I suppose not. Was it going to be a real society wedding?’

‘Oh God, yes. Sonali’s family is very wealthy, part of the dynasty that own India’s biggest mobile phone company, and they’re keen for it to go ahead. She’s a bit of a handful, to be honest, but her mother, oh my God, is an absolute nightmare.’ Zayan flickered his eyelids. ‘The late Dr Roy set very strict rules in his will, which Mrs Roy adhered to. So I’ve had to do research on familial compatibility, the Vedic star charts of the intended, the introduction and then negotiations between the two families about the dowry. Normally all that precedes the first formal meeting of bride and groom, but in this case I arranged for Harry to meet her in India.’

‘What if they didn’t like each other?’ Gillard said.

He smiled. ‘Do not underestimate the momentum of two great families in alliance. There is a great deal of pressure for husband-and-wife-to-be to find a way to get along. Of course, in the present day those pressures are much subtler than they used to be. Any groom today will certainly have seen pictures of the bride well in advance, it’s just a sensible precaution that he should find her attractive.’

‘And if she doesn’t like him?’

He shrugged. ‘Traditionally, the views of a daughter count for very little. She would have to be pretty determined, like my good friend Kiara, to stand in the way of her own wedding juggernaut. But Sonali, of course, always has her say. She apparently liked Harry’s big heart right from the very start.’

‘So what’s going to happen now?’ Gillard asked.

He gave a mock shudder. ‘I have no idea, to be honest. It won’t be happening soon. The bride’s family, God bless them, are still pushing to get it done this year, but I can’t see it happening. Harry has got all the initiative of a damp dishcloth right now. I don’t think he’s got out of bed much for a week. He stopped taking my calls, and those of his sisters, so I suppose I shouldn’t put any more pressure on. He’s probably depressed, that’s what Kiara says.’

‘Quite understandable.’

‘That’s all very well. It may be an arranged marriage, but organisationally even a love marriage has to be arranged by someone. According to my contract, infuriatingly, if it doesn’t happen, I don’t get paid.’

‘Harry’s sisters will coax him along, surely?’

He leaned closer. ‘I get the impression that Prisha would be happier if the whole thing got cancelled. She’s never been keen on the idea. It was her mother who was driving it through.’

‘Doesn’t Prisha like the bride?’

‘I’m not sure they’ve ever met. No, it’s something a bit more fundamental,’ Zayan said, his eyes flicking sideways to make sure they were not overheard.

‘Competition,’ he whispered. ‘Competition, power and cash. Understand that, and you will understand everything about this family,’ he said. Kiara’s voice could be heard downstairs, calling Zayan. He peered down the stairs, and then whispered, ‘Must go.’