‘I don’t understand.’

‘They have great social standing. They will expect certain rules, and behavior. Anything too unusual…’ He paused. ‘I would say your position is vulnerable. I advise you not to tell them the whole story. The whole story is not necessary. After all there are people here who look to exploit people who do not know India.’

‘They seek to exploit people who believe in India. I do not believe.’

‘You are being very clever I’m sure but sometimes cleverness in India is not enough. Don’t give too much of yourself away.’

They were suddenly interrupted by a grubby little boy who grasped her hand repeatedly, jabbering and smiling.

‘Urchin!’ said Manu, and tried to peel him off, fearing further interest from Anil.

But the dirty little boy had only been sent from the Residence by the Rani to scout the woman out, for the Rani had guessed that Pavna had made a muck up of it and on investigation, found she had indeed sent no one to look out for the new tenant.

The boy broke the spell of their conversation and they began to make their way, and the street once more came into focus and boomed around them, the little boy running ahead through the iron gate, along a path then onto an immaculate lawn where only the women were left for the D-G had given up waiting long ago and was watching the news indoors, much to Pavna’s relief.

She stepped forward now to welcome Quinn, who tried to make the best of it and put her arrival behind her.

Pavna said, ‘Ah, but you are an American. And not so young…’

‘My mother is American, I was brought up in Boston.’

‘Ah, Boston. But where is your car?’

‘It dropped me on the road. That’s where,’ she nodded to Manu, ‘Found me.’

‘Ah, you have met already. What a coincidence…’