‘As this is a functioning convent, rather than just a hospice, it probably has a hospital wing on the side of it. Ah, here we are,’ he said as we came to halt in front of an old-fashioned Bakelite buzzer mounted on the wall near the door. He pressed it and a loud ringing emanated from somewhere inside the building. A few seconds later, a nun appeared in the entrance hall and walked towards us.

‘Can I help you?’

‘Yes, we believe that my wife’s grandmother has admitted herself to the convent,’ said Floriano. ‘We weren’t expecting her to come here so soon and we’re obviously concerned for her state of health.’

‘What is the name of the patient?’

‘Senhora Beatriz Carvalho,’ Floriano replied. ‘She may well have come here with her maid, Yara.’

The nun surveyed us, then finally nodded. ‘Yes, she and her maid are here. But it isn’t visiting hours for relatives at present and Senhora Carvalho has requested that she be left in peace. You will obviously know how sick she is.’

‘Of course,’ Floriano agreed calmly. ‘We do not wish to disturb Senhora Carvalho, but perhaps it’s possible for us to speak to Yara, her maid, to ask if there’s anything she needs from her home? We would be happy to go and get it for her.’

‘Wait here, and I’ll see if I can find Senhora Canterino.’

The nun turned and walked away from us and I looked at Floriano in admiration. ‘Well done,’ I said.

‘Well, let’s see if Yara will talk to us, because I’m telling you now, I’d prefer to face a gang of armed bandits than I would a group of nuns who are protecting one of their flock in her last days on earth.’

‘At least we now know where she is.’

‘Yes. You see, Maia?’ he encouraged me. ‘When you trust your instincts, they’re often proved right.’

To distract myself while we waited, I walked outside and sat down on a bench which was placed at a vantage point giving a beautiful view of Rio below. Its hectic streets seemed like a distant dream up here, I mused, as the Angelus bell struck noon, calling the nuns to prayer. I felt the peaceful atmosphere calm me and thought that I too would be happy to spend my last days here. It was as if the convent was suspended somewhere between the earth below and heaven above.

A hand tapped me on the shoulder, making me jump out of my reverie. I turned round and saw Floriano with Yara next to him, looking distinctly agitated.

‘I’ll leave you two ladies alone for a while,’ Floriano said diplomatically, and walked away through the gardens.

I stood up. ‘Hello. Thank you for coming out to see me.’

‘How did you find us?’ Yara hissed, as if her mistress, far away inside the thick walls of the convent, might hear. ‘Senhora Carvalho would be very distressed if she knew you were here.’