‘No. I bought some new knives recently from a street market in Victoria. I wasn’t looking to buy any but they were reduced to almost nothing and they’re good-quality Sheffield steel, hard to find now. Better than the usual Chinese stuff. I was actually there to get a new Stanley knife for work from the tool shop but I saw these and they were dirt cheap, going as a job lot – probably nicked – so I got them.’ He smiled for the first time. ‘I think Akela thought I was going on some murderous killing spree, like that bloke in Ely, though what I’d want with three carving knives and two bread knives when I’ve only got two hands I don’t think she asked herself. But how did the police know about them? That’s what worries me. I paid cash. Must have been the stallholder. Or are they following me? Would they do that?’

Charles nodded his thanks as Sarah poured his wine. It would not do to tell Daniel that his wife had been worried enough to voice concerns to her sister, who had told Sarah and Charles, who had told MI5, who must have told the police, who – without warning – had acted. ‘What have they said to Akela?’

‘Nothing much, nothing about the knives except that they went straight to the cutlery drawer and picked out the new ones and asked where we got them and whether she had any receipts and why we needed so many. They didn’t find my Stanley knife because I’ve got it with me.’

‘But it’s you they’re looking for?’

‘Want to know where I am, when I’ll be back, what I’m doing and all that. I think they must have taken her phone off her because she said she’d ring again, but she hasn’t and I don’t want to ring and put her in an awkward position.’

Charles didn’t look at Sarah, conscious of the guilt she would be trying not to show and unwilling to risk reflecting it in his own expression.

‘I came to you because – well, you’re involved in this sort of thing,’ Daniel continued. ‘And I wondered if you could – I don’t know – sort of find out what’s going on and tell them I’m a peaceful Muslim, not a terrorist.’ He shook his head. ‘I suppose it’s all part of the so-called Prevent strategy, is it? Muslims only to be allowed forks and spoons.’