She said, “I think you’d be better with some of Dean’s soup. He has it ready. But now take off your jacket and trousers and wrap these blankets round you. I’ll fetch your slippers and dressing gown.”

He said dully, “They’re somewhere in the bedroom.”

“I’ll find them.”

Docile as a child he did as he was told. The trousers, like a pile of rags, steamed before the leaping flames. He sank back into the chair. He felt like a man coming out of an anaesthetic, surprised to find that he could move, reconciling himself to being alive, wishing that he could relapse into unconsciousness, because that way the pain would stop. But he must have slept in the armchair for a few minutes. Opening his eyes, he saw Lettie beside him. She helped him into his dressing gown and slippers. Soup in a mug appeared before him, hot and strong-tasting, and he found that he could drink it, although he noticed only the taste of sherry.

After a time, during which she sat beside him in silence, he said, “There’s something I have to tell you. I shall have to tell Dalgliesh, but I need to say it now. I need to tell you.”

He looked into her face and saw the tension in her eyes, the dawning anxiety over what she might be about to hear.

He said, “I know nothing of Rhoda Gradwyn’s or Robin’s murders. It isn’t that. But I lied to the police. It wasn’t because the car was causing problems that I didn’t stay with the Greenfields that night. I left to see a friend, Eric. He has a flat close to St. Angela’s Hospital where he works. I wanted to break the news that I was going to Africa. I knew it would distress him but I had to try to make him understand.”

She said quietly, “And did he?”

“No, not really. I messed that up as I do everything.”

Lettie touched his hand. “I shouldn’t worry the police with that unless you need to or they ask. It won’t be important to them now.”

“It is to me.”

There was a silence; then he said, “Please leave me now. I’m all right. I promise I’m all right. I need to be alone. Just let me know when they find her.”

He could be sure that Lettie was the one woman who would understand his need to be left in peace and wouldn’t argue. She said, “I’ll turn the lights low.” She placed a cushion on a stool. “Lie back and put your feet up. I’ll be back in an hour. Try to sleep.”