‘She’s worried sick, as you can imagine. You will let us know if you hear anything, won’t you?’

‘Of course, Charles, of course.’

They paused while the waiter served their penne carbonara and Charles pretended to consult his diary again. ‘Next thing.’ He leaned forward, lowering his voice. ‘Your last report about the EU’s bottom line aroused a great deal of interest and was much appreciated in the highest circles. I mean, the highest circles. I’m sure that doesn’t surprise you?’ Timber Wolf nodded and smiled. ‘Now, I just want to make absolutely sure I got the figures right and I’d like you to go over again for me the circumstances in which you heard them. I’m sure you appreciate this is too important to permit of even the slightest error and that I need to assure the highest circles that everything I say is spot on.’

‘Of course, I understand that.’

They went through what Timber Wolf had said before. He repeated himself, word for word. Another indication of rehearsed speech. Most people’s true perceptions and recollections varied slightly in repeated tellings, especially under questioning. ‘That’s good, thank you,’ Charles said. ‘A great relief to me that I got it right. Imagine the consequences if I’d been a few billion out, either way.’ They both laughed and drank. ‘Consequences for the deal itself, of course, which would determine whether or not there’s to be any deal at all. That’s of central historical importance, that’s the big one. But there would also be other consequences, less obvious but still important. Especially for Britain.’ He drank again and pretended to concentrate on his food. He knew it had worked when, after a short while, Timber Wolf rested his knife and fork.

‘What kind of other consequences?’

‘All sorts of things.’ Charles glanced at the table nearest them and leaned forward again, lowering his voice. ‘Just to take one example – you won’t repeat this to anyone, will you? Promise me you’ll guard your lips.’

Timber Wolf smiled and put his large hands over his ears. ‘I’ll guard my ears, too, if you like, so I don’t even hear it.’