‘But it’s really Dr Woolwine, right?’

Connie pointed at the mobile, and Baarda grabbed his own phone to send a text.

‘That’s right. Who’s this?’

‘You sent me a message. I assumed you’d be expecting my call.’

‘I was, and I’m glad you’ve reached out. I’m just not sure what you want me to call you.’

‘Nothing. You don’t need to call me anything. That works. You said you wanted to know that Elspeth and Meggy are all right. They are. That’s all I called to say. I’m looking after them the way I’m supposed to. Do you have children?’

‘I don’t,’ Connie said.

‘That’s too bad. You’d be a good mother. I can tell.’

‘I’m not sure about that,’ she laughed gently. ‘Sometimes I worry that I’m too set in my own ways to become a mother now.’

‘That’s not what’s important. It’s about being able to make a commitment and stick with it. Being a parent is about staying the course.’

‘I agree,’ Connie said. ‘Listen, it’s a formality, but I need to check you really are …’

‘Elspeth lost a shoe somewhere. I didn’t notice until I got her home. It wasn’t mentioned in the papers. Is that good enough?’

‘It’s perfect,’ Connie said. ‘Speaking of which, does Meggy need any more clothes, or maybe her schoolbooks? I’m sure we could find a drop-off point that wouldn’t require you to come into contact with us.’

‘No. She’ll be fine. I thought of everything before …’

‘And Xavier, he’ll need his medication soon.’

‘How long can he go without?’

Connie paused. Questions about time were difficult. Pretend there was no urgency and she’d lose the chance to make contact. Make it sound too desperate and there was a chance he’d decide Xavier was a liability.

‘He’s good for another couple of days, but after that, Xavier will struggle with muscle control, and his general functioning will start to become more impaired. Activities like feeding and washing himself will become difficult.’

‘That’s what Elspeth’s for. She’s already agreed to help. You don’t need to worry. How do you see people in black and white? Do they all look more alike? Is it harder to recognise faces?’

Connie scribbled notes as she thought about it.

‘It’s more of a challenge with younger people. I’m from the East Coast of America. On any one of our beaches in the summer, you could see literally hundreds of sixteen-year-old girls, all fairly skinny, wearing cut-off jeans and skimpy tees, long, straight hair, clear skin. Then it’s hard. Among older people, it’s easier. We have more facial anomalies as we age.’

‘Not everyone ages,’ he said.

‘That’s true. Do you mind if I ask why you took Xavier?’