‘They always do. Then there’s a compromise deal at the last minute. Usually. There may not be this time.’

‘And Timber Wolf’s reporting? Has it been consistently borne out?’

‘Quite a lot of it has. If you list the main points in the negotiations alongside the main subjects of his reports there’s a lot of carry-over. And he quotes plausible and revealing behind-the-scenes comments, which Whitehall readers love. They’re usually the bits they remember best. But if you put all the Timber Wolf stuff alongside what’s reported in the informed parts of the press and media, most of the time he’s not really telling us anything new. He’s elaborating on what we know or anticipate, all interesting so far as it goes but not exactly game-changing. There’s nothing he predicts that goes contrary to the assumptions and expectations of the Brexit team. With one exception.’ She sipped her drink. ‘He quotes the EU negotiating team as being more complimentary in private about our lot, especially the prime minister, than we’d thought they were. Phrases like “unyielding but personally charming” and backhanded compliments such as “stubborn as a mule but rather cleverer” go down well with politicians because they like to read nice things about themselves, grudging respect from the enemy and all that. All of which adds to my suspicions that Gareth, knowing our susceptibilities, is reporting what he thinks we like to hear.’

‘Gareth rather than Timber Wolf?’

‘The phrasing is suspiciously familiar and colloquial. Stubborn as a mule, for example. I’m not sure in how many languages that phrase exists.’

‘Me neither but Timber Wolf is Dutch and many Dutch speak excellent English. Better than we do, often as not.’

‘True but there are plenty of other examples: phrases common in Whitehall – close of play, a.s.a.p., need to know, at the end of the day, including what you just said – often as not. There’s even a reference to PQs, parliamentary questions. At the very least, I think Gareth is putting words into Timber Wolf’s mouth. But I also suspect him of making some of it up. It’s all too convenient.’

Charles booked to travel out on Eurostar on the Sunday, calling in a favour with the ambassador to attend a briefing in the embassy as his ostensible reason for being in Brussels. The ambassador was one of few cleared to read Timber Wolf product and knew it as a case run from London by Gareth, though he did not know Timber Wolf’s identity.

‘Own name or alias?’ asked Jenny when making the booking.