‘That is disgusting.’ All Donna’s feelings were in those few low words and Raj grinned sadly.

‘Madam, this is Sri Lanka. I have cousins in England, nurses, they have a very good life there. Here you have nothing, and no one gives you anything. To some people the only thing they have of value is their children. They may have many of those. The men come here to buy them, it is very simple. Some of them come here with their wives, and in the evening they go out for a little walk, maybe after their dinner. On the outskirts of Hikkadoa these kind of places are becoming very popular. Some Sri Lankans work from their own homes. Women walk the beaches in the evening with their children, offering them to anyone who comes along. I hear it is the same now in Goa.

‘Don’t judge them too harshly. However much it sickens you, as it sickens me, you must remember that poverty is the driving force. One child’s work can feed the rest of the family. It is a great sadness to do that, I know, but it is maybe necessary, eh? I know many English people have never experienced real poverty or hunger. Here they are everyday occurrences for a big part of the population.’

Donna acknowledged the truth of what Raj said, but she could not in any way allow herself to accept it as a justification for child abuse. The beauty of the island was gone for her now, her few hours of forgetting her troubles in the face of its natural attractions vanished. The momentary joy of watching the toddy tappers was a forgotten pleasure. All that remained were bitter-sweet memories of a land full of beautiful women, smiling men, and tiny children sold into a life most people could only guess at, let alone comprehend. Having yearned for a child for so many years, so many lonely years, Donna found it harder than ever to understand the mentality of a woman who could sell off a childhood, a child’s life and body, for a few pennies.

‘Just get me to a proper hotel, Raj. One away from here, please.’

He smiled comfortingly. ‘I will take you to the big new one in Ambalamgoda. It is only one half hour away and I will escort you inside personally; they know me there. Raj is known everywhere in Sri Lanka for his goodness, and tomorrow, if you want, I shall take you to the elephant sanctuary.’

Donna gave him a smile she didn’t think she had inside herself. ‘No elephant sanctuary, Raj, I have work to do tomorrow.’