Beverley looked around, hoping that the front door might open and her erstwhile lover would appear, but there was only silence from the staircase outside.

‘The thing is,’ said Beverley, turning back to her host, ‘when Pylyp left London … oh, I’m so sorry. I haven’t even offered my condolences.’

‘Condolences? What are these?’

‘Expressions of sadness. On your recent loss.’

‘What loss?’

‘Your husband.’

Dr Tataryn stared at her in surprise. ‘My husband is dead ten years,’ she said. ‘Killed by tram. I do not cry then and I do not cry now. He free up my life to be better brain surgeon.’

Beverley stared at her, unsure how to take this news. ‘But Pylyp said he died only recently,’ she said. ‘That’s why he came home, isn’t it? To bury him and comfort you.’

‘If Pylyp say this, then Pylyp lie. Unless he dig father up and bury him again someplace else. But I do not think this likely.’

‘I don’t think this likely either,’ said Beverley, looking down at the floor in despair. ‘But he is staying with you, isn’t he?’

‘He was staying with me,’ admitted Dr Tataryn. ‘But not now. He leave.’

‘Where did he go?’

‘He go back to London.’

‘But that’s impossible,’ cried Beverley. ‘I’ve been calling and messaging and emailing and have heard nothing in return. I thought he was dead. Or off fighting the Russians.’

Dr Tataryn laughed. ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘Boy who spends life dancing is off fighting the Russians. This seem idea for comedy show. Or film with the Eddie Murphys. Say again how you know my son?’

‘As I told you, we met on Strictly Come Dancing.’

‘What is this Strictly Come Dancing?’

‘It’s a television programme where celebrities dance with professional dancers and a team of judges rates their performances.’

‘Why?’

‘Why what?’

‘Why they do this?’

‘Well, to entertain an audience. And to raise their public profile, I suppose. Most of them are washed-up soap stars or retired politicians. I was brought in to appeal to the intellectuals.’

Dr Tataryn considered this. ‘People are entertained by watching other people dance?’ she asked.

‘I know it sounds odd, but it’s actually very enjoyable. There are some lovely costumes. And a lot of sequins. Thousands of sequins, in fact. Millions, probably. And a glitterball for the winner.’

Dr Tataryn shook her head.

‘And you were on this programme?’

‘I was, yes.’

‘So you celebrity?’

‘Of a sort.’

‘I thought you say you write books?’

‘I do. But they’re very popular books. And my husband is quite famous too. People know our name. We’re what’s called a power couple.’

‘What is this power couple?’

‘It’s a husband and wife, high achievers both, who are in the public eye.’

‘Like the Prince William and the Kate Middletons?’

‘Well, I’m not sure they’d describe themselves in that way,’ said Beverley. ‘More like the Beckhams, really.’

‘Who is this Beckhams?’