Ralph is mostly quiet as they eat, listening to the older men, nodding occasionally, adding his voice for a ‘modern’ or ‘youthful’ perspective but saying little to counter them explicitly. However, Harriet is certain he disagrees with much of their thinking. He is always far more progressive when he is discussing matters with her. He sits next to Isabel, opposite Harriet, so she can see, through the candelabra on the dining table, that his brow furrows now and then as he weighs how far to correct or contend. He, after all, is the politician at the beginning of his career, with the sense to recognise that he still needs the support of men like Gerald and Arthur MacKenzie – even if their world and their pre-war sentiments are ebbing away, to be replaced by the incoming tide of the future.

Neither Isabel nor Mary raises her voice, except to murmur general agreement. Isabel, at least, shares her husband’s views on most subjects; indeed, Gerald’s loud public opinions are but an echo of everything she has said more than once to him in private. She won’t express strong sentiments in front of the MacKenzies, of course, being the model of a dutiful and loyal political wife, and would, if asked, declare herself quite content for her husband to speak on behalf of the whole household. Mary certainly prefers to let Arthur speak for the two of them. Harriet, on the other hand, sits in discomfort, trying not to grind her teeth, concentrating on her plate, knowing that if she opens her mouth, she will be in danger of giving way to precisely the sort of passion and emotion that Arthur MacKenzie and her parents believe disqualifies her from exercising any opinion at all.

Once the usual political topics have been covered, the conversation lulls, allowing consideration of matters closer to home.

‘I’m not sure that I’ve congratulated you on your engagement yet, Christie,’ MacKenzie says, nodding to Ralph. ‘Good for you. Harriet’s a lovely young lady.’

Ralph glances apologetically across the table before murmur-ing his thanks and his ready agreement that Harriet is, indeed, lovely.

Harriet reminds herself not to respond, except to tilt her head graciously at the dinner guest seated next to her while poking at a slice of leek on her plate.

‘You’ll be an asset, I’m sure, as Ralph makes his way up the ranks of government,’ MacKenzie says, reaching for his glass of wine and deigning to address Harriet now. ‘We all have such high hopes for him.’

‘Of course,’ Harriet says, unclenching her jaw and laying down her knife. She gives her attention to Ralph, preferring to keep her eyes on him rather than the inspector. ‘I can hardly wait. We’ll make such a magnificent team.’

‘We shall indeed,’ Ralph raises his glass in a private toast to her. ‘With Harriet by my side, and good men behind me, I can hardly fail, can I?’