‘Yes, he was here within a few days of arriving, and then a couple of times each week after that. Only stays away when that ponce of a freedman is about, along with his wife.’

‘Fortunata?’

‘That’s the one. Knew her in Londinium when she worked for a friend. She was a dancer, and not a bad one, although reckon she’s out of shape now.’ Flora frowned. ‘Poor lass, I doubt she’ll ever learn, but she’s one of those who tries to please every man she meets. Probably thinks that will make her safe. The more important the man, the harder and quicker she flings herself at him.’

Ferox remembered the freedwoman rubbing against him and the servants’ gossip passed on by Philo. ‘What does make you safe?’ he mused.

‘Nothing.’ Flora’s tone was brutal. ‘Not any damned thing. Money helps, and influence, and luck, quick wit and real friends, but it can all go in a minute. Doesn’t matter if you’re an emperor or a slave, it can all end just like that.’ She tried to snap her fingers, but no noise came until she did it for the fourth time. ‘See, can’t even rely on that. It’s just the world, and the world doesn’t care and it ain’t always kind and it ain’t always nice.’

‘You always cheer me up.’

The dirty laugh came back again. ‘And you always get me talking and preaching.’

‘Cerialis?’

‘Oh, still nosy. Well, he’s always the same. Wants the twins, both of them together. They say he’s keen and energetic – I can draw you a picture if you like, but I didn’t think you were the sort who likes that sort of thing. Talks a lot and likes to tell them things, though – quotes poets and books. They swear he’s the wisest man they’ve ever met.’ Flora was dismissive. ‘What do those silly things know except what to do in bed or out of it? Now I’m thinking that if he was really so clever then he’d be discussing such things with his lady wife and not a couple of tarts. So I reckon he likes to feel big in every way – not just the same way as all the other men.’

‘What do you know of his wife?’

‘Hmmm. Sniffing around, are we?’ she said and laughed again. She offered him the wine, but he shook his head.

Ferox looked down at his cup. He had always been drawn to the delicacy of fine glass – so beautiful and yet so fragile. It was a wonder of the empire, smaller and less important than many, but never failed to make him marvel at the skill of its craftsmen.