‘What the story is saying, though, is that people who devote their energies to fighting are helping neither themselves nor others. Whereas someone who enjoys life and spends their days having fun and feeling happy – remember, in the story the words “greedy” and “selfish” are negative value judgements unilaterally imposed by the sister whose every moment is spent fighting. The other sister would probably describe herself as fun-loving and jolly – someone who makes sure to enjoy all life has to offer! Someone like you.’

Lane smiled. ‘I hope you don’t mind my saying so, but you have a strong positive energy about you. I think you’re someone with a real zest for life, aren’t you?’

‘Undoubtedly. But … well, some would say not in a good way. I don’t always … behave all that well. Anyway, I think you’re right about the moral of the story. This case has brought me into contact with a journalist who shares a personality type with the fighting, negative sister. She claims to be fighting for justice and equality, but all she does is spew venom all day long.’

‘How sad.’ Lane looked shocked, and pressed the palm of her hand flat against her collarbone. Sellers wondered if the words ‘spew venom’ had been too much for her.

‘To take your two points one by one …’ she said. ‘Nobody always behaves well. It isn’t only you. If you’ll pardon my outspokenness, I do sense that you have many clouds close to the surface, but I sense more strongly that if you could clear those clouds away, your positive energy would burn even brighter than it does at present. You’re someone who is capable of doing endless good in our world. I hope you know that. I felt it as soon as I opened the door.’

Sellers didn’t know it, and wasn’t sure he wanted to. He concentrated on sipping his water, to avoid eye contact.

‘With regard to your other point – the journalist – like so many people, she’s completely unaware of the harm she’s doing. So when she produces anger in you, or hurt feelings, try to remember that, while those feelings are valid and understandable and you certainly mustn’t judge yourself for them, what this person needs is not blame but kindness and empathy. She’s probably as she is because she was deprived of both in her earliest years. Or perhaps she suffered a trauma and could only make herself strong enough to survive it by building a shell of hate and blame. What I would say about a person like that is: there’s always hope. One day, with luck, and if she’s treated with kindness and understanding, she’ll see a better way forward and, as she stops causing pain to others, her own pain will fall away.’