‘Very soon now,’ said Domenica. ‘I’ve been to the bank and picked up some euros. Such a pity about the lira. I would have had hundreds of thousands of them. And such a colourful currency.’

‘The world is very grey now,’ said Angus.

‘And Antonia showed me a photograph of the villa …’ She broke off.

‘And?’

‘I can’t believe her cheek. I really can’t.’

‘Why?’

‘She pointed out that the villa is very small, and actually only has two bedrooms.’

‘Oh …’

‘Yes. And would you believe it, but … but she’s put you in with her in one of the rooms – separate beds, she hastened to point out – while I’ve got the other room to myself.’

Angus gasped. ‘Me? Sharing with her?’

‘Yes,’ said Domenica.

‘But that’s outrageous,’ said Angus. ‘If anybody has to share, then it should be the two of you … Sorry, but that’s only appropriate … I’m not old-fashioned, of course …’

‘Of course not.’

‘And Cyril?’

‘Outside.’

48. The Breaking of the Heart

‘I suppose she’s trying to be modern,’ suggested Angus. ‘It’s like those awful mixed-sex wards in hospitals. The theory was that it was old-fashioned to put men in one ward and women in another.’

‘People hated it,’ said Domenica. ‘I remember going to visit somebody who was utterly miserable. She was in a ward with ten men, and she was the only woman. It was a nightmare.’

‘Antonia might have liked that,’ said Angus.

Domenica laughed. ‘Perhaps. But I’m not sure that she is simply trying to be modern. I think that …’ She paused. Angus was looking away, and she could sense his embarrassment. ‘Well, I’m sorry to have to say this, but she’s ruthless, that woman. She wants a man and she doesn’t care who it is. It all shows how desperate she is.’

Angus thought about this. Was Domenica implying he was the bottom of the barrel and only a desperate woman would show any interest in him? That was hardly flattering. With his new outfit from Stewart, Christie in Queen Street, and Cyril in his red bandanna, they might look quite the thing – in the right light.

Domenica herself had realised the tactlessness of her remark, and was thinking of ways to repair the damage. Angus was more sensitive than people thought, as men often are, and she would not like him to think that she believed that no reasonable woman would consider him attractive.

‘I mean that she’s generally desperate,’ she said. ‘On all matters – desperate across the board.’

Angus shrugged. It’s all very well having one new outfit, he thought, but I can’t wear that all the time. Should I go back to Stewart, Christie and get some more clothes?

‘Yes,’ said Domenica. ‘Her desperation is quite extraordinary. There is nothing to which she will not stoop. Remember the blue Spode teacup? Remember that business?’