Elsebeth

"'Francois said by the time she was discharged he'd got to know Henry quite well,' Simon said. 'She went to a step-down place for a while, but she was conscious and aware of things so he took her home because she'd prefer that. That's who he is, Maxie. He's the sort of man who'll do anything for his wife. Everything, really. Literally everything.'

"The tears began spilling down my face. Jacobus reached into a drawer and handed me a paper serviette.

"Simon decided it was time to lighten things and ask what he'd originally come to ask. 'So how did you end up with your hand in his crotch all night?'

"'Really?' muttered Jacobus.

"'Whatever you had to do to seduce him again, we're both very glad you did, aren't we, liefie?'

"Jacobus was too busy washing up to respond. He finished wiping down the surfaces and was using his eyecrometer to make sure the vadoek hung straight and centred on the rail. He'd said what he'd come to say, and he was ready to go home."