‘No, we just wanted never to see him again. However much Denis might have liked him punished.’

‘He had money.’

‘May he rot in hell with it.’ She glanced at Marion. ‘I always assumed he tried to force her to have an abortion and that’s why she made the phone call. I never felt for one minute that callous young man’s religiousness was for real, it was just his recruiting dress. It must have taken an immense act of will – and courage – to ring us. God knows what would have happened to her if she hadn’t.’

Sara, understanding that there was to be no happy ending, allowed silence to fall. The initial gruffness of the older woman was no more than a lifelong pain etched throughout her whole being. Perhaps some relief might come through her grandson if she survived to see it – though every day she must fear signs of him growing into his father. ‘I’ve kept you too long,’ she said. ‘I’ll ring for a taxi.’ She removed the card she’d taken from the driver and dialled the number on her mobile.

Elizabeth watched. ‘I’d drop you at the station but I can’t leave Marion.’

The phone answered; Sara broke off to summon the taxi. She replaced the phone in her bag. ‘Did Marion ever tell you, or hint at anything more than what you’ve just said?’

Elizabeth reflected for several seconds. ‘It was usually just the “mission” and “traitors”. But just once she opened her eyes wide to me and said a single sentence with great intensity. It probably means nothing – just her fantasising, or retreating into some sort of weird mysticism.’

‘Can you tell me?’

‘If you really want. Let me remember the exact words. She said, “When I feel the smell of life inside me, I must leave the smell of death.” It’s not evidence of anything and she spoke it like that, in the present tense. If it meant anything, she was probably talking about sheep. Or rats.’

They stood up and Sara followed Elizabeth into the sitting room. Marion appeared to be sleeping so she murmured a goodbye and they stepped through the French windows into the garden. The sky had darkened and the first raindrops of a gathering storm spattered on the patio. The valley’s welcome of friendship now held a grey foreboding. Sara heard the crunch of wheels on gravel; she felt relief at the taxi’s arrival and a sadness for the two women she was leaving behind.

‘I knew him,’ she said.

‘I know,’ said Elizabeth.

‘But you didn’t—’

‘Why would I? It’s none of my business. Each one of us must decide what secrets to bury.’

‘Even with a lie?’

‘Best not with that. And you’re no good at it.’ Sara looked down ruefully at her shoes. ‘Don’t take it amiss, that’s a compliment.’

‘How did you know?’