‘A pleasure, sir,’ he said, gently shaking Carlos Mendoza’s hand.

‘The professor has been researching us, Arlo,’ her voice almost teasing, as though she was reverting to the girl she had once been, the naughty little sister. ‘Digging into our pasts.’

‘Then I pity you,’ Carlos replied. ‘That must have made for difficult reading.’

‘In places, yes,’ Nathan replied with characteristic directness.

‘. . . Try living it,’ the old man replied, a half-smile on his lips.

Nathan shook his head. ‘I can’t. It’s impossible to imagine. War makes ordinary lives extraordinary in a way that’s impossible to understand during times of peace. But in some ways, you’re almost lucky. You have lived harder, lived bigger lives as a consequence.’

‘I like that. I have lived hard,’ Carlos said, looking at the young academic intently. ‘I would agree with it. Perhaps they should put it on my tombstone.’

‘I hope not for a long while yet.’ Nathan smiled and held out his hand to shake it again. ‘It’s a pleasure to have been able to meet you in person, señor.’ He looked at his twin. ‘Señora, I hope we part as friends? I wish you well.’

‘Goodbye, professor, you have made this last week very . . . interesting.’

Nathan turned away, stopping in front of Marina and Charlotte too. ‘Marina, the best of luck. I think you’re in for a hell of a ride.’

‘I think you’re right,’ she grinned. ‘Let’s have that drink sometime.’

‘Yes.’ He nodded, his eyes sliding slowly to Charlotte. ‘Charlotte.’

‘Nathan.’

They stared at one another, both stripped of platitudes as they wordlessly uttered their final goodbye before an audience. But what more was there to say between them anyway? Over the course of their relationship they had run the gamut and said it all: I love you; I hate you. What else was left?

‘I will walk you out,’ Mateo said politely.

Nathan held her gaze for another moment more, then turned and left. Charlotte felt the air leave the room with him but somehow she continued to stand, she continued to breathe. After a moment, she realized the señora was watching her and a tiny beat of understanding flickered between them. ‘I’ll give you some privacy,’ she smiled.

‘Nene, would you leave us now too?’ the Señora said to her granddaughter. ‘There are some things I wish to say to Arlo alone.’

‘Of course, Abuela,’ Marina nodded. ‘Can I get you anything?’

‘Just ask the orderlies to come in and help me up onto the bed. I want to be closer to my brother.’

‘Sure.’

‘You are the sweetest girl,’ Señora Quincy smiled, reaching up to kiss her on the cheek, before she and Charlotte left the room.

‘Help my grandmother onto the bed, please,’ Marina said as they passed the two men waiting patiently outside.

Together, they headed downstairs – Charlotte shuffling on her bottom – automatically heading for the cool terrace. After the intensity of that cloistered room, they both needed some fresh air.