I’m going to tell her the truth tonight, he thought. To hell with her mother. I’m going to sit in that restaurant and with Caitlin at my shoulder, I will tell her everything. About love and hate and despair and the blackness that has covered my life for two years, and maybe she will touch me and where her fingers lie the blackness will peel away like a tired skin. Yes, I will do that.

He wanted to go now, this minute, but she was still standing there, glass in hand, still smiling towards him and there was no taxi and he didn’t know how to fill in this waiting time until he had her across the table imprisoned in the restaurant, so he just smiled back at her and said, ‘Yes, my pleasure.’

The doorbell rang and Pansy barked, one sharp loud bark.

‘The taxi?’ suggested Clara, dipping her head down again towards her glass. Lar nodded and left the room. Pansy padded after him towards the hall door.

Clara wondered whether another quick fill-up would be in order or not and had just decided that there would be no harm in it when the doctor came into the room.

‘I have to talk to you,’ he said.

She waved a hand towards the bottle. ‘Have a glass of champagne. Lar, get him a glass. We’re going out. There’s a taxi.’

‘No, thanks. No drink.’ He turned to Lar. ‘Would you mind leaving us? I have something I want to say to Clara.’

‘No,’ said Clara. ‘We’re going out. Look at me. When did you last see me all dressed up? Dressed to kill.’ She laughed suddenly. ‘Though, I do have to say, I don’t intend to kill anyone this evening. We’re having a celebration and you mustn’t interrupt, unless it’s something urgent. It’s not anything to do with Mother, is it? You’re not going to spring something on me about her?’

‘No. Clara, please calm down. It’s nothing to do with your mother. Or any of the others.’

Out in the street the taxi hooted.

‘The taxi,’ said Lar.

Clara put her glass on the table. ‘It’s OK, Lar. We’re going. You go on out – I’ll be after you in a tick.’ She waited until he had left the house, leaving the door wide open and a little wind rippling the rug in the hall.

‘You just came most untimely, Doctor. I’m sorry if I was rude, but he’s made all these arrangements – such unlikely arrangements, I have to concentrate my thoughts on him. I have to give all the appearances of enjoying my evening. You must admit I’ve made an effort. Please admire me.’ She stood hands out with a slight smile on her face.

‘I admire you.’

‘So, if it’s something awful about the state of my health, can it wait till tomorrow?’