‘I doubt if she’d even notice it. Anyway, I didn’t mean to do anything suddenly. That’s why I wanted to see you. I want to suggest that Marion and Tommy should go off on some holiday together. After all, they spend all their time together as it is. I’d send them anywhere they want to go. For as long as they like. Anything they like. And while they were away, I’d introduce Jean to the children — gradually. They know her of course, and they like her, but I’d ease them into the idea of my marrying her in due course.’

Anna sat silent until he insisted: ‘Well, what do you say?’

‘You mean, what would Molly say?’

‘I’m asking you, Anna. I can see it might be a shock for Molly.’

‘It wouldn’t be a shock to Molly at all. Nothing you did would. You know that. So what is it you really want to know?’

Refusing to help him, not only out of dislike for him, but out of dislike for herself — sitting there judging, critical and cool while he looked so unhappy — Anna continued to sit hunched up on the window sill, smoking.

‘Well, Anna?’

‘If you asked Molly, I think she’d be relieved if Marion and Tommy went away for a while.’

‘Of course she would. She’d be rid of the burden!’

‘Look, Richard, you can abuse Molly to other people, but not to me.’

‘Then what’s the problem, if Molly wouldn’t mind?’

‘Well, obviously, Tommy.’

‘Why? Marion tells me that it’s evident he doesn’t even like having Molly in the room — he’s only happy with her. With Marion, I mean.’

Anna hesitated, then said: ‘Tommy’s set everything up so that he has his mother in the house, not next to him, but close. As his prisoner. And he’s not likely to give that up. He might consider, as a great favour, going away for a holiday with Marion, provided Molly tagged along well under control …’

Richard exploded into fury: ‘God, I might have known. You’re a filthy-minded, loathsome, cold-brained pair of …’ He spluttered into inarticulate silence, breathing heavily. Yet he was watching her curiously, he was waiting to hear what she would say.

‘You asked me here so that I should say what I’ve said, in order that you could call me names. Or call Molly names. And now I’ve obliged you by saying it and I’m going home.’ Anna slid off the high window ledge on to her feet and stood ready to go. She was full of self-dislike, thinking: Of course Richard asked me here for the usual reasons — so that I would eventually abuse him. But I must have known that. So I’m here because I need to abuse him and what he stands for. I’m part of the whole stupid game and I should be ashamed of myself. But although she was thinking this, and it was genuine, Richard was standing opposite her in the pose of someone waiting to be whipped and she went on: ‘There are people who need victims, dear Richard. Surely you understand that? After all, he is your son.’ She went towards the door she came in at. But the door was blank without a handle. In this office it would open only at the touch of a button either outside or from Richard’s desk.