`Thanks,' Aelianus responded laconically. Perhaps he looked as if he were having second thoughts about going. And perhaps not.

He did leave us. Claudia carried on discussing the orphans' school with Helena, which suited both of them. Claudia was nursing our baby, being the kind of girl who grabs them and shows off how sentimental she can be. It may not have been the way to her betrothed's heart. Aelianus could only just stomach the thought of getting married it was tactless of Claudia to let him see she expected him to play his part in filling a nursery.

I enjoyed a long talk with Justinus. He and I had shared an adventure once, rampaging like heroes all over northern Germany, and I had thought highly of him ever since. If I had been of his own class I would have offered, him patronage, but as an informer I had no help to give.

He was now in his, early twenties, a tall, spare figure whose good looks and easy nature could have wreaked havoc among the bored women of the senatorial classes if it had, ever struck him he was cut out to be a heartbreaker. Part of his charm was that he appeared to have. no idea of either his talents or his seductive potential. Those big brown eyes with their intriguing hint of sadness probably, noticed more than he showed, however; Quintus Camillus Justinus was a shrewd little soldier. According to rumour he was chasing after an actress, but I wondered if the rumour had been carefully cultivated so that people would leave him alone while he chose his own path. Actresses were death to senators' sons. Quintus was too clever for social suicide.

Vespasian had hauled him back to Rome from a military tribunate in Germany, apparently in great favour. As so often happens, once Justinus arrived home the promise of an upward push evaporated, other heroes were catching attention. Justinus himself, always diffident, showed neither surprise nor resentment. I was angry for him, and L knew that Helena was too.

`I thought there was talk of you trying for the Senate at the same time as your brother? Didn't the Emperor hint that accelerated entry might be possible?'

`The impetus died.' His smile, was wry. Any barmaid would have given him a free refill on the spot. `You know how it is, Marcus. So I suppose I'll now stand for election at the normal age. It spreads the financial burden for Papa.' He paused. `I'm not sure that's what I want, in any case.'

`Going through a tricky phase, eh?' I grinned at him. He wanted to do well and to beat Aelianus at it. That was understood.

`Being difficult,' he agreed.

Helena looked up. She must have been paying attention even though she had appeared deep in conversation with Claudia. `I suppose you scratch yourself in front of Father's illustrious friends and refuse to change your tunic more than once a month, and you're surly at breakfast time?'

He beamed at his sister fondly. `I don't turn up at breakfast at all, dearest. In the middle of the morning when all the slaves are busy washing floors I emerge from bed – walking straight through the clean bit in last night's dirty shoes then I demand a fresh sardine and a five-egg omelette cooked exactly right. When it comes, I leave most of it.'

I laughed. 'You'll go far – but don't expect an invitation to stay with us!'

Looking over her large nose, Claudia Rufina gazed at the three of us with troubled solemnity. Maybe it was just as well she had been linked to Aelianus. He was proper and conventional.

He never indulged in ludicrous fantasies.

Helena patted the young girl's heavily bangled arm, for no obvious reason. Also for no reason her eyes met mine; I winked at her. Shameless, she winked back without a second thought. Then we held each other's gaze as established lovers sometimes, do even when it is socially inconvenient, shutting out the other two.,

Helena was looking well. Clear-skinned, goodhumoured, alert and intelligent. More formal than she would be at home, since you never quite know what to – expect when visiting a senator's house: a pristine white gown with a shimmering golden stole, an amber necklace and light earrings, her face defined with hints of colour, her hair tucked into several fancy; combs. Seeing her confidentdent and content reassured me.' I had done Helena no wrong luring her from her father's house. She had the knack of being able to return temporarily to this upperclass world without embarrassment, taking me with her. But although she must miss the comforts, she showed no trace of regret.

`Well, Marcus!'' Her eyes were smiling in a way that made me take and kiss her hand. The gesture was acceptable in public, but must- have spoken of far deeper intimacy.

`You have such great affection,' exclaimed Claudia impulsively. Alarmed by her mood our baby awoke, whimpering. Helena reached to take the child.

Justinus rose from his couch and came round behind' his sister, to hug her and kiss her too. `Claudia Rufina, we are a loving family,' he said wickedly. `And now you are to, join us – aren't you glad?'

'Be a pet,' Helena, reproved him. `While you're; jumping about and making silly remarks, pop into Father's study and bring me his annual calendar.'

`Planning another party?'

`No. Showing Marcus that his best partner is the one who lives with him.'

`Marcus knows that,' I said.

The senator had an expensive set of the Official Year in Rome: all the dates of all the months, marked with a C for when the Comitia could be in session, F for days when general public business was allowed and N for public holidays. Bad luck days had their black marks. All the fixed festivals, and all the Games, were named. Decimus had sweetly added to the almanac his wife's and children's birthdays, his own, and those of his favourite sister and a couple of well-off ones (who might remember him in their wills if he kept in with them) The latest addition in the blackest ink, which Helena pointed out to me, was the day when Julia Junilla had been born.

Helena Justina read all the way through in silence. Then she looked up and surveyed me with a stern gaze. `You know why I'm doing this?'

I looked meek, but made sure I demonstrated I could think too. `You're wondering about what Lollius said.'

Naturally Claudia and Justinus wanted to know who Lollius was and what he had pronounced upon. I told them, keeping it as tasteful as possible. Then while Claudia shuddered and Justinus looked grave Helena gave her opinion. `There must be well over a hundred public holidays annually, and a good fifty formal festivals. But the festivals are spread throughout the year whereas your brother-in-law said there were special times for finding these women's remains. I think the connection is the Games. Lollius said they find bodies in April – well, there are the Megalensis Games for Cybele, the Games of Ceres, and then the Floral Games, all in that month. The next big concentration is in July -'

`Which he also mentioned.'

`Quite. That's when we have the Apolline Games starting the day before the Nones, and later the Games for the Victories of Caesar which last for a whole ten days.'

`It all fits. Lollius maintains there is another bad time in the autumn.'

`Well, September has the great Roman Games lasting fifteen, days, and then at the beginning of next month are the Games in memory of Augustus followed at the end of October by the Games for the Victories of Sulla

`And the Plebeian Games in November,' I reminded her. I had spotted them earlier when squinting over her shoulder.

'Trust a republican!'

`Trust a plebeian,' I said.

`But what does this mean?' demanded Claudia excitedly. She thought we had solved the whole case.'

Justinus threw back his neatly shorn head and regarded the smoke-stained moulded plaster of the ceiling.- 'It means that Marcus Didius has found himself an excellent excuse to spend much of the next two months enjoying himself in the sporting arenas of our great city all the while calling it work.' But I shook my head sadly. `I only work when somebody pays me, Quintus.'