‘Didn’t mean to disturb you,’ I said in a loud whisper, though by now he was wide awake. ‘When I didn’t see a light on, I thought you must be out.’

‘Not tonight.’

‘You were out yesterday, though,’ I said hoping he’d say who with.’

‘I was,’ he agreed, but left it at that.

He wasn’t usually so short with me. Perhaps he’d intended to go out and was disappointed.

‘You had a good time, then?’ Barky said, before I could ask him anything else.

‘I only had a glass or two,’ I said, defending myself against the disapproval in his tone. ‘It was so strange, Barky, you cannot imagine it. I’ve never been somewhere like that, all those Blacks together. Drinking, dancing and they made me so welcome. I wish you could have seen it.’

‘Oh?’

There was a catch in his voice.

‘He’s a good man, Barky. You had no need to worry.’

‘You told him about Vincent?’

I shook my head. It didn’t matter any more. I’d made my choice to leave him.

‘You’re playing a dangerous game, girl.’

‘Don’t lecture me. Not when it’s been such a long day already. Besides, there’s nothing Lucien needs to know. That’s all done with.’

‘More fool you.’

I’d told Barky about the source of Vincent’s money and he made it clear that he thought I was mad to throw him over. There was definitely something that had irked him tonight. He was being more than usually crusty. A giant yawn almost split my face.

‘You might as well have the bed,’ Barky said. ‘You’ll feel it in the morning if you don’t. I’m comfy enough here in the chair.’

He’d spread a crocheted blanket over his knees and with the fire it was quite cosy. Boldly I bent down to kiss the top of his head and he recoiled. It sobered me a little.

‘Just two glasses you said, eh?’

‘You don’t like Lucien, do you?’ I said.

‘Are you seeing him again?’

‘Tomorrow afternoon. I’ve got his scarf, see.’ I knew I should probably explain to Barky about the Leopard Lady, but now Lucien was helping me it felt like our thing and I hadn’t found her yet.

‘He said I should ask you to tell me more about yourself,’ I said.

‘You’re right, I don’t like him.’

‘I wish you would, Barky. I wish you would.’

‘Go to bed now.’

I left Barky sitting before the fire. The orange flames cast a warming glow on one half of his face but left the other side in shadow. It was like him, really, only to show one side of himself. I would find a way to make him and Lucien friends.