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shiny black leather you used to wrap yourself in! There were pictures of you in Tatler , I remember. Sorry. Shouldn’t butt in. This is Hugh’s show.’
    ‘You have had a small tattoo removed from just above your wrist. The scar is infinitesimal, practically invisible to untrained eyes. I believe you had the operation done about twenty-five years ago. Was that when you first got married?’
    ‘It was. I didn’t want my mother-in-law to have a fit. My mother-in-law was the most disapproving woman who ever lived.’ Felicity’s expression did not change. ‘OK. You are right about my wild youth. I was something of what is known as a “rock chick”. But you are wrong about the cigars. It is my husband who smokes cigars. That’s why the house reeks of them.’
    ‘There is fresh cigar smoke in this room. You have tried to get rid of it by opening the window, but you haven’t been entirely successful. Besides,’ Payne went on, ‘there is a bit of a cigar leaf stuck to the thumb of your right hand.’
    ‘Is there? Oh yes, how tiresome. Very well. I help myself to Gerard’s cigars every now and then. I don’t think he notices. That’s my one guilty secret.’
    ‘Only one?’ Lady Grylls laughed.
    Felicity frowned. ‘What about my quirky sense of humour? And what about the pom-pom dahlias? However did you deduce that?’
    ‘You have created a persona that is too good to be entirely true. It is clear you get a kick out of misleading the world. Then there are the dogs in those pictures.’ Payne pointed. ‘They seem to have been chosen for no other reason than their exceptional ugliness. I don’t think you care for dogs much, do you?’
    ‘I detest dogs. What about that nonsense about my second boyfriend working at Stonehenge Madagascar? I don’t believe such a place exists. And I never had a second boyfriend.’
    ‘I said that to impress my aunt,’ Payne admitted.
    ‘Hughie!’ Lady Grylls cried in an outraged manner.
    ‘And I suppose it was your aunt who told you about my childhood phobias?’
    ‘I did.’ Lady Grylls nodded. ‘Your mama was terribly worried, you know. Thank God you grew out of it.’
    Felicity turned to Payne. ‘Do you have any idea at all in which story Sherlock Holmes makes the following deduction: “You have had five husbands and the man you now have is not your husband.” I assume you know the “canon” inside out?’
    ‘I believe I do,’ Payne said, ‘but that’s not Sherlock Holmes. It is Jesus speaking to the Samaritan woman.’
    ‘I must say, Nellie, your nephew is quite something.’
    ‘He is my favourite nephew,’ Lady Grylls said as though that explained it all.
    ‘I have the feeling of having passed a test,’ Payne said.
    ‘Perhaps you have. Would you like some coffee? You are not in too terrible a hurry, I hope?’
    ‘We’d love some coffee. I hope it is not decaffeinated? At my time of life, I can’t tolerate any manner of dietary deprivation. Are you all right, my dear?’ Lady Grylls peered at Felicity Remnant. ‘You are not ill, are you? You strike me as a bit preoccupied.’
    ‘Something awfully peculiar happened this morning. And how curious that you should be here now. I have an idea Hugh might be able to help me.’ Felicity’s eyes rested thoughtfully on Major Payne. ‘But let’s have coffee first. No, it is not decaffeinated. It is Davidoff Supreme Reserve.’
    ‘It isn’t a well-known fact but American police have their own coffee brand,’ Payne said. ‘Gun Barrel. I read about it in the Telegraph .’
    ‘I won’t be a jiffy. Do take a look at the Damascus chest, Hugh. It’s over there.’ Felicity pointed. ‘I hope it comes up to your expectations.’

7
Through a Glass, Darkly
    It was a chest of drawers of exceptional workmanship. Standing beside it, Major Payne ran his hand across its surface. ‘Mid-nineteenth century. Made in Damascus. Typical of the region. Outstanding quality. Inlaid with mother-of-pearl, ivory and silver