‘I see,’ he said calmly. ‘And if you don’t want to go on marches and you don’t want to protest, how are you going to achieve these goals you are so passionate about?’

Her energy evaporated, as quickly as it had arrived. ‘I don’t know.’

‘But—’

‘I’m not sure. Do I have to be completely certain about everything immediately?’

‘No, of course not. I don’t know why you are so upset.’

She found a second wind. ‘Is the journey to finding out not equally important? If discovering things is not exciting, why does Finlay have encyclopaedias, for goodness’ sake?’

‘Stop.’

‘Why? Am I not allowed an opinion?’

He shook his head.

‘I am not?’

‘No. I mean yes, of course you are. Please look at me.’

She shook her head.

‘I went to the café to see where you have been spending so many hours.’ He sat up straight. ‘I am rather ashamed to say that I went to see if it was a suitable place. I have in fact been more than once. And I have drunk cocoa and that Brunak stuff, which I have to say is quite ghastly, and I have listened to the conversations that happen there. Anyone observing me would have thought I was reading my newspaper, the one which I will of course now leave here in the morning for you, rather than taking it into the office. I’ve been there four times in total. They might almost know me as a regular customer now.’

Ursula’s thoughts were taken over by a rush of questions. Four times? He had been to the café not once, but four times? Why had he not mentioned it? Was he about to forbid her to go back?

John stroked his moustache, completely unaware of her turmoil. ‘And what I initially thought was somewhere where there were some very odd opinions and ways, now seems to me to be an important meeting place for new ideas, and for actions which may change the world for the better.’ He looked at her closely. ‘So tell me, do you not want to march and protest?’

‘I do not.’

‘So, what is it that you do want?’

She was silent for a full minute.

‘I want to avoid being listed on the census. The statement is quite right. If we aren’t represented then our details shouldn’t be recorded.’

‘I am to break the law?’

‘No.’ She stood up at last and turned to face him. ‘The census counts those who are in a property at midnight. If I’m not here then you are not lying.’

‘And you will be where, exactly? I overheard talk of all-night walks on Bruntsfield Links and the Meadows.’

‘There is another plan, but it’s a secret.’

‘And are you quite sure you’ll be safe?’

‘Yes, quite sure.’

‘And how were you going to enact this plan without me knowing?’