Norah was an old lady, a great-aunt rather than an aunt, but her eyes were as bright as they’d been her youth, and her vitality was undimmed. Olivia had always been close to her, turning to her wisdom and kindness as a refuge from the self-centred antics of the rest of her family.

‘Sorry I’m late,’ she said into the microphone. ‘There was a bit of a kerfuffle at school today.’

She outlined the events of the afternoon, making light of them.

‘And the doctor said you were all right?’

‘He says I’m fine. I’ll have an early night and be fit as a fiddle.’

‘Are you going out with anyone?’

‘You asked me that last night, and the night before. Honestly, Auntie, it’s all you ever think of.’

‘So I should hope. You’re a pretty girl. You ought to be having a good time.’

‘I’m having a wonderful time. And I do have dates. I just don’t want to get serious. Now, tell me about yourself. Are you getting enough sleep?’

There was more in the query than just a desire to change the subject. Norah was in her seventies, and the only thing that had made Olivia hesitate about coming to China was the fear of possibly not seeing her again. But Norah had assured her that she was in the best of health and had urged her to go.

‘Don’t you dare turn down your chance because of me,’ she’d insisted.

‘I’m just trying to be sensible,’ Olivia had protested mildly.

‘Sensible? You’ve got the rest of your life for that sort of nonsense. Get out there, do things you’ve never done before, and forget that man who didn’t deserve you anyway.’

Norah could never forgive the man who’d broken Olivia’s heart.

‘I’m sleeping fine,’ Norah said now. ‘I spent yesterday evening with your mother, listening to her complaining about her latest. That sent me right off to sleep.’

‘I thought Guy was her ideal lover.’