‘Kate,’ Harry said firmly, ‘I think it’s time we left.’ He struggled to a sitting position. ‘Bikram, old chap. Will you help me up?’

It was not an easy journey, but Harry had lost a great deal of weight and with Mira’s help Kate managed to get him settled in a corner seat on the train. When they reached Bori Bunder station Mira went out to hail a tonga, and the tonga wallah half-carried Harry to the vehicle and hoisted him into the carriage. Sandeep rushed out to assist them when they arrived at Audley House and then Mrs Ogilvy took over, seemingly delighted to have someone too weak to argue with her. She put Harry to bed in one of the guest rooms and issued orders to the cook that light nourishing meals must be created for the invalid. Harry put up with this on the first night, but after breakfast in bed next morning he insisted on sending for Sandeep to help him get washed and dressed.

‘I’m being treated like a baby,’ Harry said with a heavy sigh when Kate found him in the front parlour, seated in a cane chair with a blanket wrapped around his knees. ‘I feel like an elderly invalid.’

Kate chuckled. ‘You can’t be a baby and an old gentleman. Make up your mind, Harry.’

‘You know very well what I mean. I need to exercise and get my muscles working again. I can hardly walk two steps without someone holding me up.’

‘You must be patient, Harry. You’ve been very ill. Anyway, the doctor is coming this morning. Sir Robert insisted on sending for him to make sure that you have everything you need to get you fit again.’

‘At this rate I might well have to run away,’ Harry said, sighing. ‘Although I doubt if I could run anywhere at the moment, even if the house was on fire.’

‘Stop grumbling and be thankful that you’re alive and on the mend.’ Kate was about to leave the room when Harry called her back.

‘Where are you going? You can’t leave me here on my own.’

‘I’m going to the hospital to see Joe and tell him that you’re here. Annie is just finishing her breakfast and she’s going to sit with you until the doctor comes. You are to do what you’re told, Harry Trader, or Harry Lyndon, whichever you choose to be today.’

‘Petticoat government,’ Harry said, pulling a face. ‘Hurry back, Kate.’

The doctor visited Harry later that morning and was pleased with his progress, so Annie told Kate when she returned from the hospital. Another week or two of rest and good food and Harry would be able to undertake the voyage home to England.