Friday arrived with a sky the colour of boiled milk and a heat that made the asphalt soft. Vikram left at six-forty with a folder under his arm and a promise to try for ten. Arjun had a half day and then a cousin’s house until evening; my sister-in-law had offered weeks ago and I had accepted before I understood what the empty afternoon might become. Savita called at nine to say her daughter was feverish. I told her to stay home. I heard my own voice agree too quickly.

By eleven the house was mine in the dangerous sense.