He stood at the porch entrance for a moment irresolute, thinking he had seen a shadowy movement just beyond the shrubbery at the back of the house. He hesitated to move towards it, as this was Maria’s precinct, her sphere of influence, not his place at all. Then he heard a distinct click in a momentary stillness in the night: the sound of a gate’s latch falling firmly in place, from the other end of the front yard, it seemed. But there was no gate there—or was there? He moved uncertainly toward the source of the sound, dimly perceiving a secondary, smaller gate embedded in the bushes that he had not noticed before. A street lamp illuminated a path of beaten earth beside the house, between it and the neighbour’s hedge. This was how the two of them had made their escape. Confirmation came with the rapid movement of a small dark Fiat away from the curb. So she had been trying to avoid him after all. Paul felt affronted, his compassion rejected yet again. He was insulted, by what he took to be an inexcusable snub, but he knew he must try, as of old, to make allowance for her apprehension and timidity. What was she so afraid of? If he, who had known her as a child, could not explain her behaviour, he was sure his wife could not. He would not tell Mattie of this. Esmeralda would remain forever a troubled enigma to him alone. You’re not a psychologist, he told himself. This is not your country. Hers are not your problems. Let it go. In the end, he did, but it was an uneasy release. The truth might make you free, but you have to find it first. What was the truth?
They never saw Alicia again, and her mother remained a phantom of the night. They made their farewells to Maria, winning from her a rare smile for the tip they left her. Paul also left a fulsome note of gratitude for their hospitality to Mr. and Mrs. Beck. Shortly after their return home, Paul received an awkward, stilted letter of cheerful acknowledgement from Hendrik. “I am delighted,” he wrote, “that you had a memorable and restful stay in our home, and took every opportunity to sightsee. So much to see and so little time! Did you take the teleferico to the beach? The city improves every day with more industry and such great civic spirit. We missed the parks and colourful crowds on market days. Our cultural life is world-famous. A pity you missed Rigoletto at the opera! Its run ended just before you arrived. I wish you had been able to meet Esme again. She told us she had so looked forward to seeing you once more to renew your old friendship, but your path and hers did not cross during your stay, which is a great pity. She has not had an easy life, but manages to keep her spirits up! I am glad you both met Alicia. Isn’t she a chatterbox? So full of life and vitality! Our trip to Samoa and Fiji was a great success. I hope you will have the chance to see these exotic places before you are too old! Don’t leave it too late!”
