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‘But I behaved like that with you, I know, because you were a precious jewel. I was in awe; I couldn’t believe you were mine.’ As soon as he’d said this, he felt a pang: it was a wave of jealousy from Vee, watching, listening.
    â€˜Oh, Max! That’s a lovely thing to say!’ She went into her baby voice: ‘But whatever you were, or are, like, I think you’re dead sweet.’ She dabbed him on the nose with her finger. ‘The best hubby and the best daddy, ever.’ Then she stretched, got up and pulled on her dressing gown, and resumed her usual voice. ‘I’m cold!’
    Max too stood up and began to get dressed. He decided that today would be the day he started reading Vee’s book from the beginning.
    Helen embraced her husband. ‘I love having you all to myself. We don’t need anyone else, do we? We’ve got two lovely daughters.’ She smiled. ‘And they all lived happily ever after,’ she went on, musically, waving her index fingers as if conducting. Stopping abruptly, she added, ‘Which reminds me, Mum wants to go to that concert after all, so –.’
    â€˜â€“ Darling,’ he interrupted, suddenly wanting to be serious. He still had to get her help.
    â€˜Yes? What’s up?’
    â€˜Er … have you found out yet if you can go part-time?’
    â€˜You stopped the romantic mood to ask me
that
?’
    â€˜Sorry, but there’s something I want to – ‘.
    â€˜ –Don’t tell me you’ve got a mistress, some nubile young patient?’
    â€˜Oh no, nothing like that. I wouldn’t have the time or theenergy, now would I, with all the demands
you
make in that department!’
    They laughed, then kissed. He decided it was a good time.
    â€˜I need your help with something very important. And about that first girlfriend … ’

5
Questions
    Eventually, after reassurance that there had been nothing untoward – that is, recent – in their relationship, Helen was prepared to accept that Vee and Max had once been together, and she agreed to help him in whatever way she could. A few things now made sense to her about her husband’s behaviour of late, and Max was contrite.
    While neither of them knew precisely what Vee’s demands might be, Helen was prepared for some kind of undercover work at Squaremile. At the end of their long discussion, which took the rest of that morning, they decided that they would
both
read
Doors Closing
.
    â€˜How about if I read one chapter, then pass it on to you?’ Max sipped his coffee and Helen joined him in the conservatory.
    â€˜That sounds fine. Then, depending on what Vee has to say about Squaremile, we might be able to work out what to do. Her time there must feature in it. It must be one reason for her to write, don’t you think? Oh, but Max, you’ll never guess what … ’
    â€˜What, my love?’
    â€˜They’ve told me I can’t go part-time yet because they want “my experienced hand on the tiller” of Grove House, as they put it, in the not too distant future.’
    â€˜Why’s that then?’
    Helen gave a short, exasperated sigh. ‘Sandra, the manager there at the moment, has somehow wangled a month’s holiday.’
    â€˜A month? How come?’
    â€˜Lord alone knows. I’m afraid I don’t have much time forthat woman.’ Helen’s Scots accent had become more noticeable, as it often did when she was annoyed or stressed. ‘She’s also tipped for promotion.’ Helen slapped her thighs and stood up. ‘Don’t get me started about Sandra.’
    They had a quiet lunch together.
    â€˜I’m glad you’ve told me about your time with Vee,’ Helen said. ‘I was worried about you.’ She handed him an apple.
    â€˜There might be other things I’ve forgotten to tell you, or even that I didn’t know, in connection with Vee.