Immaculate. A simple short black dress, tight as a skin, long sleeves, the silver shoes, her grave oval face, white as white, not harshly so, blended, smooth, shaded, like a flower on the pale stem of her neck; green eyes sparkling, lustrous, a hint of mockery, one arm stretched towards him, fingers spread in supplication.

He looked up at her in amazement.

‘You see?’ she said quietly. ‘You were wrong. A name does make a difference.’

He opened his arms wide to her.

‘Fantastic!’ he said.

A Note on the Author

Sir Dirk Bogarde (1921–1999) was an English actor and novelist. Initially a matinee idol, Bogarde later acted in art-house films such as Death In Venice; between 1947 and 1991, Bogarde made more than sixty films.

In his writing career, as well as completing six novels, Bogarde wrote several volumes of autobiography. For over two decades he lived in Italy and France, which was where he began to write seriously. In 1985 he was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters by the University of St Andrews and in 1990 was promoted to Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government.

Sir Dirk Bogarde has a legion of fans to this day – an extraordinary commitment to an extraordinary man.

Also by the Author

Discover books by Dirk Bogarde published by Bloomsbury Reader at
www.bloomsbury.com/DirkBogarde

A Gentle Occupation
A Particular Friendship
A Period of Adjustment
A Postillion Struck by Lightning
A Short Walk from Harrods
An Orderly Man
Backcloth
Cleared for Take-Off
Closing Ranks
For the Time Being
Great Meadow
Jericho
Snakes and Ladders
Voices in the Garden
West of Sunset