‘Well, very sensible of them to get out, I’m sure. Actually, do you mind? I’m just going to have a quick cigarette,’ he said, and he left me alone, turning back to glance at me when he was near the door.

*

I lingered for another few minutes, talking to Rochi, Sophie and James Cockburn. By now I’d drunk a few glasses of white wine. I poured myself one last glass, meeting Andrew at the table as he was putting an empty down.

‘Did I see you leaving the shop with that young woman who came to dinner with us that time?’ I asked.

‘I hope your tone isn’t insinuating anything,’ he snapped.

‘I didn’t mean to insinuate anything at all.’

‘I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘Yes, you did. Chloe. She’s a demanding PhD student.’

‘Right. She’s probably infatuated with you.’

‘No, no. Not like that. Let’s please not talk about her. She’s interfered with the evening already.’

‘Fine by me. So what’s next? I think I’m going to go for a drink with Sophie and Rochi, if you fancy joining.’

‘Oh, we have a table booked. Do come along if you want. Emily’s already added one other new guest so I can’t see why we can’t add another. Did you want to come?’

‘I did say I’d go for—’

‘Yes, good. You go and have fun. And look after Sophie for me, won’t you? Keep her out of trouble?’

*

Meanwhile Cockburn was stepping up his friendship with Sophie and Rochi.

‘What a marvellous party this is,’ he said, turning to me as I walked over. ‘Aren’t Sophie and Rochi wonderful?’

‘Yes,’ I said.

‘Paul hates us really,’ said Sophie. ‘He thinks we’re champagne feminists.’

‘Well, Jesus, what’s wrong with that?’ said Cockburn. ‘I’m a huge fan of champagne and feminism. Paul, you know Sophie’s writing a book about how to change the world?’

‘Can I be of any assistance?’ I asked.

‘To write my book? Very generous of you, but I’m not sure we’d see eye to eye on everything.’

‘I meant, do you need any help to change the world?’

‘You can stop trying to deny the existence of the patriarchy.’

‘Or you can buy us drinks,’ said Rochi.

‘How about I stop denying the existence of the patriarchy and he buys us drinks?’

‘Works for me,’ said Cockburn. ‘Let me just see if I can get out of this dinner plan,’ and he walked off towards Emily, who was talking with Richard and Andrew.

‘I am sorry about before,’ I said. ‘I’m really not trying to deny the effects of sexism and racism.’

‘It’s OK. We believe you,’ said Sophie. ‘It’s grim up north! Did I annoy your sister earlier with my comments about mixed education? Rochi’s right: at least you had people of the opposite sex at your place.’