‘No, no, she’s a very bright little girl.’

‘I know, but they tell their children not to play with her. Sometimes they try to be “nice”, but there’s something self-conscious about it, as though they’re congratulating themselves on how nice they’re being.’

‘How does she manage at school?’

‘She’s got a few good friends, and most of the teachers are decent. But some of the other kids bully and tease her, and one teacher actually dared to tell me I should take her out of school because she “couldn’t fit in”. She said Nikki needed a place for children with special needs.’

Gino swore softly.

‘I told her the only special need Nikki had was to be treated with intelligence and understanding. Then I complained to the headmistress, who, luckily, is one of the good guys, and I didn’t have any more trouble from that teacher. But there are always plenty more where she came from.

‘With luck, Nikki will be all right one day. But by that time she’ll have been through all these experiences.’

‘And what happens to her now will mark her for life,’ he said, nodding.

‘You made her so happy in the park today, because you didn’t seem to notice. You looked straight at her and didn’t register anything-not shock, or surprise, nothing. It was-oh, I can’t tell you how wonderful it was, and what it meant to her.’

Gino concentrated on his tea, hoping that his unease didn’t show in his face. He was guiltily aware that he did not deserve her praise. The fact was that he’d been too wrapped up in himself and his own troubles that morning to be aware of anything else.

Laura was still talking eagerly.

‘She’s got this theory that someone must have cast a magic spell, so that you didn’t really see her face.’

‘In a way she’s right,’ he said. ‘But the spell was my own self-absorption. I was so busy feeling sorry for myself that I actually didn’t see her for several moments, even though I was looking at her. So I haven’t earned your kindness.’