Well, maybe there was a practical reason. A curfew, perhaps, that would define the finishing time, or an hour after which public transport no longer ran? But I have grown aware of this sort of possibility affecting other people’s lives, and I try to allow for it when attending an event away from home. Wendow, in his various communications to me about this trip, had said nothing about a finishing deadline, but I supposed it was possible.

I completed dressing more quickly than I would have liked, aware of someone waiting for me down there in the lobby.

I did take an extra couple of minutes to leaf through the text of my speech again, pencil in hand. I always found something that could be improved or corrected. So it was that evening: a misspelling no one but me would even see, let alone take any notice of, but I made the correction anyway.

I then spent a few more seconds taking six deep breaths to calm myself (this always worked), and made sure my speech was complete and the pages were in the right order. Finally, I slipped my cellphone, the hard copy of the speech and a couple of pens into my computer tote.

On the interior of the room door was a printed notice I had not spotted before:

MUTABILITY AWARENESS

To all guests, when exiting your room ALWAYS be sure to turn off all lights and other electrical equipment. We have to remind you there is an extra charge if you ignore this rule. (See our standard conditions.) Thank you!

I read this twice, puzzled by it, but the hotel was an excellent one and I assumed there must be some reason. I quickly made sure everything was off, then let myself out of Room 627, took one of the elevators already waiting on my floor, and descended to the lobby area. To save time I had not put on my heavy outer clothes, and had everything bundled up under my arm. I headed straight for the reception desk, not glancing around to see if anyone was waiting to meeting me. The male receptionist who had checked me in was no longer on duty, but one of the women staff came forward immediately.

I held up my room card for her to see, and said: ‘I have to be out of the hotel for most of the evening. Are there likely to be problems moving around the city later on?’

‘No, sir. Public transport runs until one in the morning, and taxicabs can be hired all night.’

‘Thank you. And if I should need a meal later, will the restaurants here still be open?’

‘The grill room is open twenty-four hours. Snacks can also be obtained in any of the bars.’

I nodded to her and turned away, but immediately bumped into someone who had come up quietly and was standing right behind me.