Glamorous Powers. Susan Howatch

      ‘We’ve discussed your relationship with your wife,’ said Francis, ‘we’ve inspected your relationship with your mistress and now today we’re going to examine your relationship with your children. What happened to them after your wife’s death?’

      ‘My mother-in-law took charge.’

      ‘I detect a lack of enthusiasm. How did you tolerate her living in your home?’

      ‘She didn’t live there. She took the children into her own home and I moved to bachelor quarters on the Naval base. But I wasn’t there much. I still spent most of my time at sea.’

      ‘Did the children mind not living with you?’

      ‘I told them that the quality of time fathers spent with their children was more important than the quantity.’

      ‘Are you good with children?’ said Francis idly, but I could feel his large sleek powerful psyche prowling around mine as he sought to induce a fatal relaxation. ‘Are you one of those gifted adults who always know what to say to anyone under sixteen?’

      ‘It depends on whether there’s any psychic affinity.’

      ‘And does such an affinity exist between you and your children?’

      ‘No. I can’t communicate with them without words as I used to communicate with my mother.’

      ‘Disappointing for you. How you must have longed for a couple of little replicas of yourself instead of these two people whom you obviously found so alien!’

      ‘You couldn’t be more mistaken. I despise parents who long for replicas – I consider such a desire indicative of gross selfishness and an inflated self-esteem.’

      ‘Aren’t you reacting rather strongly? It’s a very human trap for a parent to fall into, I’ve always thought, and it’s certainly not an uncommon one … However I won’t press that point; we already know from Father Darcy’s record that even if you didn’t long for replicas you were nonetheless capable of finding your children a disappointment. But what about your grandchildren?’ said Francis, sweeping on before I could argue further with him. ‘Any affinity there? I notice you never mention them, but perhaps that’s because you’re so sensitive about your age that you dislike being reminded you’re a grandfather.’