‘Jasper has been exceptionally loyal and faithful to me for almost thirty years,’ Silas said. ‘All I can do is be loyal and faithful to him in turn. You understand now why I seemed rather nervous about Chief Inspector Spokes Moloi’s questions.’

Bodecia slowly nodded. ‘Yes … Yes,’ she said quietly, still looking at him. She leaned forward and buttoned the remaining buttons of his shirt, and looped the tie through the collar before tying it into a very accomplished full Windsor knot. And with that, she passed the test that Silas had set for her.

Satisfied, Silas patted her lightly on her thigh. ‘Perhaps you should come with me,’ he said.

‘To vote? Would love to,’ she said leaning back against her pillows. ‘But after standing in that long line yesterday, I am utterly exhausted and not up for much today.’

She may have added the last words because his hand had stopped patting her thigh and had started stroking it instead, his eyes travelling appreciatively over her body. She was a phenomenally attractive woman even in middle age, and his continued desire for her always took him by surprise. He tended to prefer his women young and, if not young, definitely impressionable, but no matter how far and wide he strayed, he always came back to her. Perhaps, like Chief Inspector Spokes Moloi, he was a man in love with his wife.

‘Whatever you do, don’t go to the front of the queue because you are one of the candidates. Stand in the line, join it at the back, and be one with the people. They will appreciate that sign of humility,’ Bodecia advised.

Just then the phone, which was on Bodecia’s bedside table, rang. What you don’t know can’t hurt you, Silas thought as he watched his wife answer it. First there was confusion. Then there was shock. Then there was great disbelief. And finally, there was a scream. All within a matter of seconds.

Silas had to stop himself from mouthing the words along with Bodecia when she said, ‘Jasper has been killed … a car bomb.’ He arranged his face into a look of complete incredulity so that Bodecia had to say, ‘Jasper … is dead.’

Whatever little thing had been holding her together until that moment snapped, and she became a mass of heaving sobs. Looking adequately shocked, Silas took the receiver from her hand and hung up the phone before gathering his wife into his arms. She let him comfort her, which allowed Silas to be hopeful about their future.