I make my own way back to the house. Sitting in the cab, I do not know what I feel. I picture the two men in bed together, mouths opening in mutual hunger, hands ripping at unwanted clothes. I wind my shawl more tightly across my shoulders and rest my head on the window, glad of its solidity. I feel old and alone, an unwelcome intruder on my children’s play. The cab slows to a stop and I open the door and climb out. I pay the driver his fare and let myself into the house. Then I go upstairs and lie on the bed without bothering to undress. All I can do now is wait for sleep.

The persistent ringing of the doorbell wakes me. I open my eyes and am astonished to see sunlight flooding through the window. I raise myself onto my elbows and stare in dismay at my evening dress and boots. Then I remember. Before I have time to sift through my feelings, I hear a voice and the sound of visitors being shown into the hall. I hear protests, explanations, footsteps on the stairs. Finally a knock on my door. I am given no opportunity to reply. Duncan bursts into the room, his smile radiant, and settles himself on my bed. Bunny follows sheepishly in his wake. My anger boils to the surface. Duncan leans over and covers my protests with kisses. Soon I am smiling too. Then we are cradling each other and laughing, and I know that despite what has happened nothing can destroy our bond. Duncan reaches out his arm and pulls Bunny onto the bed beside us.

It is Duncan’s idea that Bunny should sit for us. I hang back while Duncan leads him into the room I use as a studio. I busy myself with my easel as Duncan fusses over the details of Bunny’s position, trying him in a standing pose, then on a chair, opening and closing the curtains to adjust the light. All the time I sense how impatient Duncan is to start working. When at last we begin to paint, the intensity of Duncan’s gaze as he studies Bunny creates a pulse of emotion between the two men that seems to fill the room. I force my eyes to my canvas and grip my brush. If I am going to complete this picture I need to disregard my feelings.