The glass panes were held in place by stark strips of flat metal welded together in oblongs. There were no curtains and just one pane, hinged at the top, which opened to let in air. It did, however, have a wide sill and that is where Zola found it comfortable to perch himself. Since I had allowed him on to the bed at home, I had taken to bringing Zola into the office. No one seemed to mind—in fact, he quickly made friends with everyone—and I couldn’t bring myself to leave him in Hamilton Place. We had still heard nothing from Madeleine, and it was now more than ten weeks since her interrupted message. I had the Lagonda back after its kicking, but no will to use it and no petrol for it anyway. I’d persuaded my doctor to give me some sleeping pills and I was probably still drinking more whisky than was good for me. I wasn’t going to pieces—nothing like that, I’m not the type—but I missed Madeleine and feared for her. I spent as little time in the flat as possible. I went to the theatre or cinema most nights just to keep my mind off her.
