Felix sighs, like a disappointed father. “We’ve been doing business for so many years Celer. And still you take me for a fool.” He points at the earrings. “I’m assuming Salvia wants them back?” Celer is silent. “And I imagine it would be a terrible shock for your parents-in-law if my men had to turn up at their fabric store uninvited and take back what you owe me in yards of silk?”

“Felix, please, you can’t, you know that I—”

“You can have ten denarii,” Felix says. “Until the shipment comes in. Then if you’ve kept up with the other payments, we can consider that second loan.”

“But that won’t cover the earrings!”

“These”—Felix says, picking up the jewelry and dangling them at him—“are for the first loan. The offer of ten denarii is pure generosity on my part. Take it or take nothing.”

Amara watches as Celer signs another contract, scratching his name in the wax. Felix looks bored. When Celer is finished, Felix folds the tablets and takes out the money from a drawer. Celer thanks him, his voice almost inaudible. His face, when he passes Amara, is flushed with humiliation.

Felix and Amara are left alone. He files away Celer’s agreement, ignoring her for some minutes while he’s busy at his desk. She knows better than to open her mouth.

“Yesterday, I asked what happened at the baths,” he says, finally looking up. “I didn’t ask for advice. What made you offer it?”

His tone has not changed since he spoke to Celer. She can read nothing in his face. “I must have misunderstood what you wanted,” she says.

“No, you didn’t.” He waves her lie away with a flick of his hand. “And then you recommended I do a deal with Vibo, a man who’s hated by every whore in Pompeii. Why?”

“Vibo is the only way into the private baths,” Amara says, trying to match his blank face with her own. “We can earn more money there. The men are much richer.”

“So you want to suck a superior class of cock, is that it?” Felix laughs. She knows better than to react to his sarcasm. “What a selfless whore you are. I can’t believe you’re trying to make me richer.” He glances at the silver earrings which he left out on his desk. “You can’t think you would see that extra money? You’re not as smart as you look if you imagine I’m going to share the profits.” Felix beckons her closer, his manner conspiratorial. “So tell me, what was it about?”

Amara is wary. “I don’t know.”

“Come along,” Felix says, “I’m not going to be cross. I’m asking because I’m interested. So tell me.”