Elia had been standing at the top of the staircase for six minutes when the front doors opened, which meant he heard the car first and had all that time to decide what his face would do about it.

The suit had come back from its second fitting at four. The flowers had gone into the corridors at six. He had walked the second floor twice, told the housekeeper the west rooms were fine, and then stood where he could see the hall without being seen from it, because that was the closest thing to a plan he had.

the housekeeper said from the landing.

Elia did not turn round.

He had not spoken to his father since dinner. There was nothing to say that would not come out sounding like a complaint.

Then the doors opened, and his brother came in with the night still on his coat, and the house went quiet the way a staff goes quiet when it does not want to be sent out of the room.

Furio stopped in the middle of the hall. Elia watched him look at you. He watched him go still, and understood in that second that the six minutes had been wasted.

He came down four steps and no further, one hand on the rail.

Elia's hand stayed on the rail. Below him the marble was so clean it showed the flowers twice.