‘She likes you,’ John assured him. ‘And not just because you saved her. I should run, if I were you, before she makes plans and marries you off to one of her Gentile friends.’

After two weeks, Sara once again called out to them from the window as they were setting out. ‘Grandfather, do not tire our Roman out!’

‘Hah! He is young and kind enough to pity a poor old man and keep him company. Of course, the poor old man has family, so should not be neglected in the first place…’

‘Then he should not weary his family with endless stories about himself! Nor should he feign infirmity and weakness to avoid honest work! But I need our Roman, so you must have him back here in an hour. Do not be late!’ The shutter slammed loudly as it was closed.

‘She’ll have the hinges off one day, you mark my words. But better do as she says, or she will tear down the whole house.’

‘Like Samson!’

‘You’re not wholly ignorant, it seems, even if misguided.’

They returned in plenty of time, and then Domitius waited for another hour before he was needed. Simon’s eyesight was so poor that someone had to accompany him whenever he went out, and Sara went with him if there was business to be done, with a servant to accompany them. ‘Today, everyone is busy, so you will have to do,’ she told Domitius. She had the loveliest eyes he had ever seen, and the pale green veil she had donned with her headscarf, because they were going out, only drew attention to them. ‘Try to look intelligent!’ she ordered. ‘Harder than that. Well, if that is your best, then it will have to do. They will think that you advise my father, so will pay heed to you and less to me, which will let me do what needs to be done.’

‘No man will notice me when you are around,’ Domitius said, his voice cracking halfway through.

‘Huh! It is well known that the Romans are a lecherous people.’ Did she smile? It was so hard to tell through the veil, but at least the tone was the same as the one she used with her family. ‘Do we give you your sword? No, a stout staff will suffice. You look enough the soldier to make them think twice before trying to threaten. Good, Father is here, and almost tidy for once. Remember not to agree to anything before we have spoken.’ Simon could see Domitius over her daughter’s shoulder and gave a little shrug.

That was the first time he went with the father and daughter as they visited stalls around the streets and markets, calling on the Agoranomos and a dozen or so other city officials or prominent men. Simon was always very business-like, while Sara always stood a little back and kept her eyes down, as a respectable woman – and especially a respectable Jewish woman – should. Yet once or twice she whispered something to her father, and his stance in the conversation shifted subtly but inexorably. Neither of them spoke to him at all, unless giving an order. All in all it was much like accompanying a senior officer on an inspection, albeit with a good deal more talking. No money changed hands at any stage, but alongside all the pleasantries – ‘Have you heard from your son? Do you know when he will return?’ were the commonest ones addressed to Simon – there seemed to be agreements made or modified. Presumably this was how commerce functioned.