By the time they had sorted it out Sarah was downstairs. ‘Anya, how nice to see you. Come and sit down.’

‘No, please, I mustn’t interrupt your breakfast.’

‘You’ll only be interrupting if you refuse to sit down with us. Come on.’

Despite having declined breakfast, she sipped tea and nibbled a piece of toast. Her message from Akela was a question: what would happen to Daniel if he handed himself in now? Would he be arrested or charged? If so, with what? They patted the subject to and fro across the table, like gentle warm-up table tennis. Charles and Sarah tried to be reassuring without really knowing the facts. They thought he might be arrested and would certainly be questioned but, having done nothing for which he could be charged, that should be all.

‘He’s done nothing at all, has he?’ asked Sarah. ‘Unless you and Akela know anything different?’

Anya pushed her hair from her face. ‘No, he hasn’t done anything except run away. At least, so far as I know. He must think he’s in trouble for converting to Islam and buying those knives. But now that he’s run away the police will think he’s hiding something and that makes it worse.’

‘Not if he gives himself up,’ said Charles. ‘Much better than being caught.’

‘How is Akela?’ asked Sarah.

‘She is calm, quite calm. She is taking it very well.’

‘Does she know where Daniel is?’

‘No, of course not. Otherwise she wouldn’t be so worried.’

‘But it sounds as if she isn’t really very worried,’ continued Sarah. ‘Not about what’s happened to him. She’s more worried about what might happen to him if he’s arrested. Which suggests that she might perhaps know where he is.’

Anya carefully lowered her cup to the saucer and pushed back her hair again. ‘Well, I hadn’t thought of that. She has not said anything to me to suggest she knows.’

‘Would she like it if I came back with you to see her, to talk to her?’

Anya looked up. ‘If you could, yes, I am sure. But wouldn’t it – mightn’t it get you into trouble?’

Sarah turned to Charles, who shrugged. ‘It’s not Akela who’s under suspicion. It’s a perfectly laudable aim, trying to persuade her to persuade Daniel to give himself up. Assuming she knows where he is or is in contact with him.’

‘What will the police say about it if they question us?’

‘They should be grateful. Should be. I’d have thought.’

Sarah turned to Anya. ‘It would be better if you were there. Shall I come back with you now?’

‘Yes, yes, but I have my bike.’

‘Leave it here and I’ll drive you back to pick it up later.’