It sounded nothing like an invitation to call again, and his companion issued none. “Come and see me, Bella,” I said. “There’s something we ought to discuss.”

Roy had already ended the call, but I knew she would receive my summons, and it was better that he didn’t hear. No doubt she would come to me wherever I was, but suppose she assumed I’d found another way to thwart her? Once again I felt safest staying at home. In time shadows crept into the apartment, and then Bella did. Her silhouette appeared against the wall beside the television at least a few moments before she took shape like a cut-out figure swelling plumper. She wore a blouse that exposed her shoulders, or at any rate the apparition of one. “So that’s how you fooled him,” I said in an attempt to contain my shiver. “That’s one of the ways you did.”

“How concerned you are to reduce everything to your level, Patrick.”

“I’m just concerned for my son.”

“I presume that’s how a parent is expected to behave.”

“You’re the one whose behaviour is restricted, Bel, or is it Bal? You’ve admitted that’s how you are.”

“Not for much longer,” Bella said with a smile of careless triumph.

“Tomorrow’s the day, is it? What happens then?”

“I shall be free.”

“Free to do what?”

“To live as I have every right to do.”

“And what will that entail?”

“I shall know that when I’m whole at last.”

I found this menacingly ominous, and it mightn’t even be the worst development. “What about Roy?”

“What indeed. Another issue to be settled in the future.”

I wasn’t going to let this lie undefined. “How much more are you going to take out of him?”

“He should live.” As my reaction choked off my speech Bella said “And if not he’ll have lived more than most of you achieve.”

My nails bent as I dug my fingers into the leathery arms of the chair, but I managed to relax a fraction before saying what I’d already vowed to propose. “Use me instead.”

“That’s quite touching, Patrick. Playing the father up to the hilt.”

I didn’t know if she was mocking me or simply found my behaviour almost too alien to understand. “You don’t need him,” I persisted. “You just need someone, and you were after me in the first place.”

“I’m afraid you’ve lost the young mind you once had.”

“What does it have to do with minds? All you need is someone’s energy to draw on.” As a shiver overwhelmed me I said “You’re using mine right now to help you be here.”

“I find younger is preferable, Patrick. More vital.”

Despite feeling appalled by her clinical attitude, I could only do my best to match it. “I promise you I’ve got enough vitality for your last excursion.”