On entering I saw she’d scattered her bright possessions around it like a parakeet scattering feathers in a cage, bright shawls, bits of silk, saris thrown over chairs, gaudy jewellery, perfume and incense to mask the smell of damp brick. The room itself didn’t suit her but as I was to find out, Aunty wasn’t one for complaining. Somehow – how I wonder? – She’d been told of my visit (or was it warned?).

For a moment I wondered if my common sergeant had tipped her off but I had certainly said nothing to him of my purpose of visiting, hence his own lewd conclusions. I saw she had a silver tea set which she’d got ready and on a small stove was boiling up milk and spice for an Indian chai, which she then transferred to the silver pot, smiling at me as like a Cheshire cat, as if we’d known each other for years. ‘Ah Malcolm - welcome!’ she said in a sing song foreign accent which was impossible to place and against all expectations I found myself taking off my hat and smiling, ‘Hallo Aunty’.

She chuckled. To her it must have been a spell that always worked. I wondered to myself how comforting that must be, when all else is crumbling round you, to be certain of human response.

‘So here you are Malcolm. You found me.’ I nodded. ‘I hope you like sugar,’ she said handing me a small cup, ‘I think you do like sugar.’ Of course I liked sugar. I love sugar – fifteen fillings testify to that.

I sat in her easy chair and suddenly felt as shy as I had once felt as a teenager. She smiled encouragingly. ‘Forgive my accommodation,’ she said, ‘It is only temporary. I go onto greater and grander things I hope – to Dehra Dooon... I hear weather this time of year is excellent, and nearly apple season too.’ She paused and gave me the once over. ‘And are you comfortable in your police quarters? I thought it was rather measly to put you there, you know, among the cops.’

I tried to hide my surprise. ‘You seem better briefed than I do. I was expecting to find you in Darjeeling. Everything seems…’

She raised an eyebrow. ‘Everything seems…’ I tried again.

‘A rather big mess?’ she offered.