‘We wouldn’t have to lie to them.’

‘Would we tell them that we’re not married? That in fact you’re married to someone else?’

‘I don’t see why not.’

‘Think how they would be teased at school.’

She was not convinced, but clearly the issue was a profound one for him. ‘So, what’s your plan?’ she said.

‘I want us to have children. But not until we’re married. To each other.’

‘I get that,’ she said. ‘So . . .’

‘We have to wait.’

Men were slow to pick up hints. ‘I’m not much of a girl for tradition,’ she said. ‘But, still, there are some things . . .’

At last he saw what she was getting at. ‘Oh! Okay. Just a minute.’ He knelt upright on the bed. ‘Daisy, dear—’

She burst out laughing. He looked comical, in full uniform with his limp dick hanging out of his fly. ‘Can I take a photo of you like that?’ she said.

He looked down and saw what she meant. ‘Oh, sorry.’

‘No – don’t you dare put it away! Stay just as you are, and say what you were going to say.’

He grinned. ‘Daisy, dear, will you be my wife?’

‘In a heartbeat,’ she said.

They lay down again, embracing.

Soon the novelty of his odour wore off. They got into the shower together. She soaped him all over, taking merry pleasure in his embarrassment when she washed his most intimate places. She put shampoo on his hair and scrubbed his grimy feet with a brush.

When he was clean he insisted on washing her, but he had only got as far as her breasts when they had to make love again. They did it standing in the shower with the hot water coursing down their bodies. Clearly he had momentarily forgotten his aversion to illegitimate pregnancy, and she did not care.

Afterwards he stood at her mirror shaving. She wrapped a large towel around herself and sat on the lid of the toilet, watching him. He asked: ‘How long will it take you to get divorced?’

‘I don’t know. I’d better speak to Boy.’

‘Not today, though. I want you to myself all day.’

‘When will you go to see your parents?’

‘Tomorrow, maybe.’

‘Then I’ll go to see Boy at the same time. I want to get this over as soon as possible.’

‘Good,’ he said. ‘That’s settled, then.’

(iv)

Daisy felt strange going into the house where she had lived with Boy. A month ago it had been hers. She had been free to come and go as she wished, and enter any room without asking permission. The servants had obeyed her every order without question. Now she was a stranger in the same house. She kept her hat and gloves on, and she had to follow the old butler as he led her to the morning room.

Boy did not shake hands or kiss her cheek. He looked full of righteous indignation.

‘I haven’t hired a lawyer yet,’ Daisy said as she sat down. ‘I wanted to talk to you personally first. I’m hoping we can do this without hating one another. After all, there are no children to fight over, and we both have plenty of money.’