Dr St Clair sat back in his chair. ‘He was a bit nonplussed. He asked me why on earth I wanted to do something like that when a degree in commerce could have got me started with one of the larger companies. I explained that I was interested in human nature and that human nature was infinitely more exciting than business. He said nothing after that, and I think he eventually accepted my choice. I never wanted to kill my father, you know.’

Irene tilted her head slightly. ‘Not even subconsciously?’

‘Who knows what we think subconsciously?’ said Dr St Clair. ‘That’s why it’s called the subconscious.’

Irene laughed. ‘Of course. So what happened then?’

‘I enrolled for the PhD. I did not have much money, and so I stayed as a sort of lodger I suppose with a widow called Phyllis who lived in a Melbourne suburb. She came from a family that had interests in a chemicals factory, and the house was quite comfortable. I was quite happy there.’

‘She was your mother,’ said Irene.

Dr St Clair smiled. ‘Perhaps.’

‘Go on.’

‘Well, she looked after me very well. She always had something cooked for me when I came back in the evening – things I liked – tapioca pudding, ox-tail stew – but not in that order, of course! After dinner we fed the scraps to the two dachshunds that Phyllis had. They were called Eugene and Riley.’

He paused. He was enjoying himself, talking about his life back in Melbourne.

‘Do carry on,’ said Irene. ‘Eugene and Riley. Do tell me about them.’

55. Men Can Cry

‘They were rather odd little dogs,’ said Dr St Clair, looking up at the ceiling. ‘They were both long-haired dachshunds, which I rather prefer to the smooth variety – you know, the ones that look to all intents and purposes like a frankfurter. They were intelligent little dogs, and very loyal once they had accepted you as a friend. And I wanted a loyal friend, I think.’

‘Oh?’ said Irene. ‘Why do you say that?’ His comment sounded like a complaint, she thought – the complaint of one who had suffered, perhaps, from disloyalty in friends.

He hesitated before replying, and she had to urge him on. ‘Tell me,’ she said. ‘I’ll understand.’