‘What in other circumstances might be called prompting a clearer and more explicit expression of meaning.’

‘I’m seeing Robin Woodstock first thing tomorrow. I shall try to persuade him that we should go for clearance, that this is one for ministers to decide.’

‘No chance he’d agree to us carrying on as we are with payments delayed until after the negotiations are over?’

‘No.’

Gareth raised his hands, palms upwards. ‘Then it’s over, case over. He’s right on clearance – we’ll never get it. Nothing we can say will make it any less of a political risk and this government’s nothing if not risk-averse.’

‘You’re almost certainly right but it’s worth a try. Nothing ventured nothing gained. There’s no chance of further meetings without it – mine was strictly a one-off – so there’s nothing to lose by trying.’ He did not say that there was an unmentioned alternative; that if his private suspicion could be verified ministers might see it as a risk worth taking. Even, perhaps, an opportunity to be seized. ‘Whisky?’

Gareth shook his head and stood abruptly. ‘Let me know what happens.’

Charles waited until he heard the sound of the lift before ringing Sonia. ‘Coast clear now. Sorry if I made you miss your train.’

‘Three, actually. But I’ll forgive you if the news is good.’

‘I’m not sure I know what “good” is any more.’

Sonia accepted a glass of wine as she listened to the detail of the Timber Wolf meeting. ‘So you reckon Gareth’s definitely not fabricating but definitely is on the make? That must be fraud or theft. What do security think?’

‘They don’t know yet. They will tomorrow.’

‘They’re bound to want to consult the legal advisor and he’s bound to say the police have to be told and sooner or later the story will come out that nasty Brits were spying on nice EU. You know what he’s like.’