To be honest, I'm not interested in finding out what Simon is, because from the way Alice is looking at him he's not quite an ordinary man, and although Alice has - problems - I know she sees things I do not. I know. But I am quite happy at the moment to continue to believe that Simon is just a butcher. And I do not like the way Alice keeps looking over at Gaueko.

"Alice, my dear," I say quietly, "it must be your bedtime. Come on, I'll take you upstairs."