“I wonder. Perhaps you might have.” As I dared to hope I’d persuaded her she said “But I’ve grown really quite attached to Roy.”

“Attached.” I had to swallow before I could restrain myself to saying “Not the way I am, or his mother.”

“You have no idea of my feelings, Patrick.”

Was she feigning pique, or had I reminded her that she wasn’t as human as she liked to appear? “Then give me some idea,” I said.

“I see no need, and in any case it’s too late.”

“Not if I take you where you have to go tomorrow. That ought to save some of your energy for where you’ll want it most, and you’ll be giving me a little of what you say you’ve given Roy.”

Bella widened her eyes as though to make space for my words, and I was afraid my attempts at persuasion had cancelled one another. “Well, I believe Julia is right,” she said.

With some reluctance I said “In what way?”

“You’re jealous of your son’s relationship with me.”

“If that’s what you need to believe.” When this didn’t shift her amused look I risked saying “My aunt thought I was worth sharing secrets with. Perhaps you should too.”

“You’re trying to appeal to nostalgia, are you, Patrick? You want me to indulge you for old times’ sake.”

“If that’s how you see it. However you care to that lets you” – I fumbled for a phrase that might persuade her – “accept my help.”

Her amusement was starting to fade. “Perhaps you had an insight after all.”

“Which would that be?” I had to ask.

“Being driven by you would conserve some of my energy tomorrow.”

“Then you want me to.”

I was afraid my eagerness had made her think again until she said “You’d best collect me as early as you can.”

I was relieved to think I wouldn’t have to spend the night in any sense with her, and she couldn’t spend it with Roy while he was at his mother’s. “Where from?” I said.

“Where we both know I live. You see, there are insights we share after all.” Bella’s teeth gleamed, not quite in a smile. “Show me you trust me, Patrick,” she said.

I could think of no excuse to avoid asking “How would I do that?”

“Close your eyes while I depart. Don’t open them until you feel I have.”