“Because you are the typical English young lady. You’re Leo’s niece so you must come from a good family, and isn’t that what you all do? Coming-out parties and good social matches and all that?” She wrinkles her nose distastefully.

“That’s what my parents would like for me but believe me when I tell you that I’m very glad to get away from it,” I say shortly. “I am certainly not out here husband-hunting, if that’s what you’re getting at. My goodness, I’m only seventeen. I haven’t actually done any living yet.” Even I can hear the frustration in my voice.

Ursula smiles at that. “I understand. Where Klaus and I come from they are very traditional too. We did not have a happy time there, but we had each other.” She pauses for a second. “We left as soon as we could. Then we were in Berlin for a while before we came to Italy and it felt so wonderful, so free. There was so much happening there creatively.” Her voice is ardent now, her eyes huge and dancing as though she is being lit from within, before the light drops away to be replaced by something haunting. “I would like to return there after the summer, but I think it will not be possible.”

“Why?” I ask.

“The situation is becoming dangerous in Germany. Particularly for people like Klaus and me, who have enough Jewish blood to be considered … problematic. If things continue as they are I think that people like us will soon find it difficult to remain. So many are leaving already.”

I shiver. It is one thing reading the sober newspaper stories coming out of Germany, but they are hints only. This makes it feel very real.

“I’m sorry,” I say inadequately, and she shakes her head.

“Let us speak of Ben instead. If you want a fling, then that’s different,” she says, apparently happy to change the subject. “But even so – you do not have the experience needed to fence with a seasoned seducer like Ben.”

“I think I can hold my own against Ben, thank you very much,” I say firmly. “He’s neither as clever nor as charming as he thinks he is. Although…” I hesitate. “Although you are right that I don’t have a huge amount of experience with … with seduction.”

That is an understatement.

“Oh well, darling.” Another sort of smile curls on Ursula’s lips and her voice is a purr. “If you need advice in that department, you’ve come to the right person.”

Chapter Sixteen

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

What follows is quite enlightening. My glass is topped up a couple more times over the next lazy hour, and Ursula and I talk.