with a concierge who looked critically at Susan. Her dress was filthy, stockings torn and shoes badly scuffed. She had smut marks on her cheeks where her tears had stained the dirt from the trains and what looked like the beginnings of a cold sore on her young mouth. The second cousin - Mrs Charlotte Lewis, an ambitious woman with no children - was called and came down. She barely concealed her dismay when she saw the state of her charge, as well as the two nuns, whom she dispersed quickly and with thanks, before anyone saw them.

‘Well, Susan, come up and wash. Let the bearer take your case. Did you not know how to get a taxi? Of course I would have met you myself had I known you were a virgin to these parts.’ It was the wrong choice of words for Susan gave a start. ‘For a moment with those nuns I thought you were collecting alms. Better get you in the bath. Now that’s a very small case. Do you have enough clothes to last you in there? I’ve planned quite some fun things, parties - I have a supper party every week and this Saturday it’s extra special.’

They had discussed the contents of her suitcase as she got into her bath.

She had never taken her clothes off before in front of any woman except her mother and though she kept thinking that this woman was family, she shrunk into the enamel tub like a stray dog. ‘Have you really got enough dresses? But you are almost as slim as me and might make some of my black gowns.’

‘Well I have a bright yellow sun dress that Mummy and I bought in London...’

‘No, no. And what about jewellery?’

‘Just my crucifix...’

‘Are you religious?’

‘It was a present at my confirmation.’

‘Well pop it off and we’ll put it in a box. You can try some wonderful Indian beads I’ve got.’

‘The thing is I’ve never taken it off before.’

‘Pop it off. I’m sure God won’t mind. You must remember Susan that you represent your country out here, and you strike me as something of a blank canvas. You must be careful of being unduly influenced whilst