“What? That he thinks I shouldn’t have children. Well, and why shouldn’t I? Savage doesn’t see any harm in it, and Jean Thomas says that as long as I’m careful it could do me the world of good. Wouldn’t you like to be an aunt?”

I gaze at the floor. It has not occurred to me that you might have children.

“What about your illness? Isn’t there a danger childbirth could bring it on?” I am pulling obstacles haphazardly out of the air.

“So you are against me too.”

Immediately, I feel guilty.

“It isn’t that. I don’t want you to be ill again, that’s all. Pregnancy can be very draining.”

Before you can reply, Leonard comes into the room, carrying a tray of tea. He hands the cups round before settling on the sofa beside you. You clear your throat.

“Nessa has decided to decamp to the country. Shall we follow? We’ll need room for all the mongooses and mandrills.”

I see from your smile that this is your secret game. Leonard clasps his hands together as if they are paws and waggles his head. He cleans imaginary whiskers. Then he cuffs a paw round your neck and pretends to pick insects out of your hair. You nuzzle his hand, lick the inside of his palms. I put my cup back on the tray and stand up.

“I should be going. I said I would meet Duncan at the workshop.”

You accompany me to the door. Leonard’s preening monkey imitation still stands between us. In the old days you were my pet. As I turn to go you put your hand on my arm.

“The truth is, Ness, if you settle in the country I will miss you very badly.”

Duncan and I are in London for one of Maynard’s suppers. He waves to us as we enter the restaurant and points to two empty seats at the far end of the table. We seat ourselves obediently on either side of a tall, powerfully built young man. I feel ostracized from Duncan and wish that I could alter my place. Maynard makes a speech to welcome us, then Lytton tells a lewd joke and we all shriek with laughter. The young man does not join in, I notice. He is nervous and fiddles awkwardly with his knife. I am not the only one to observe his shyness. Duncan strikes up a conversation with him, intended to put him at his ease. I sip my champagne, trying not to mind my exclusion. I overhear the young man say that though his name is David his friends call him Bunny. That night he and Duncan become lovers.