back. Close up he did not consider her beautiful and he was disappointed. She had a slim heart-shaped face and auburn hair cropped short, her long hands constantly putting her fingers through the curls. On one hip she had an enormous baby, larger than any Indian baby of a similar age. He cleared his throat. ‘The city is usually far more casual in the way it treats visitors,’ he said.

‘Take it as a complement.’

‘Perhaps, but they hardly know me. Can’t you call them off?’

‘They are not dogs,’ he said quietly, finding her self-assurance distasteful. ‘But if you stick by me, perhaps they will fall away a bit.’

‘Because…?’ She smiled pleasantly. It was impossible to know what she was thinking.

‘Firstly, because no one else is offering. And then, because they take me for a fool and fools have no enemies. We are far safer than heroes.’

His voice was perfectly calm but he was thin and when he walked towards her she saw he limped. If she was surprised he spoke English she didn’t show it. ‘My name is Upamanyu, or Manu if I like you.’

‘Quinn,’ she said. ‘Quinn if I like you, and frankly, Quinn if I don’t.’

‘Well - Quinn – that is the house you seek. The street doesn’t see foreigners so often in this part of Jaipur. If you don’t mind my saying – ’ something told him she would – ‘I would not take you for a seeker.’

‘I’m not,’ Quinn said dryly standing up. ‘Do you think everyone who comes to India is looking for God?’

‘Yes, usually.’

‘Well I’m not a believer. But I am looking for someone.’

She took out some letters from her bag.

‘The fact is I don’t like India and don’t particularly want to be here. But last week my hand was forced, and here I am. Up until now I had hoped the embassy would locate him, but they’ve been hopeless. It’s the last place I want to be with a new baby I assure you.’

‘Babies are born in India every day.’