‘Sure,’ said Abbott. He raised his zip-tied hands. ‘You’re going to need to get me out of these first.’

‘Aye, that’s true,’ said McGregor, almost ruefully. ‘Here,’ he produced Abbott’s Gerber knife, ‘I’ll use this, shall I?’

I’ll be taking that off you later. ‘Sure.’ Abbott proffered his hands. ‘Be careful, though, it’s very sharp. The last thing you want to do is give me a nasty nick. I’d hate to have to retire with injury, especially when I’ve come so far.’

‘No danger of that, pal,’ said McGregor. He glanced behind himself to check that Wilson and List were paying attention. In return they shouldered the assault rifles, watching Abbott carefully. To one side stood Kilgore, looking on with an almost bemused expression as McGregor reached forward and – snick – slashed the zip-tie.

The plastic dropped to the floor. McGregor stepped smartly back, already holding the knife away, as though concerned Abbott might make a sudden grab for it. Abbott’s eyes went from him to Wilson and List, to Kilgore. He rubbed his wrists. He turned, went to the pegs and reached for the set of green overalls.

‘Now,’ said Kilgore, ‘if you’d like to try on your overalls I shall go and check to see whether the competitors are ready for you.’

He walked to the staffroom window where the blind was drawn. ‘Perhaps you’d like to survey the battleground while you wait.’

The blinds ascended. Kilgore left the room. Abbott zipped up his overalls, moved to the window and looked out over Murder World. He saw bloodied clown faces, presumably entrances to attractions. There was a large automated knife sculpture, the hand moving up and down. He saw a large meat cleaver. More of the spiked metal balls. The park’s centrepiece was a huge under-construction rollercoaster, part of which passed through a gargantuan noose.

‘There are four areas.’ McGregor had moved across the room to join him at the window. He pointed. ‘See that bit over there? That’s Horror House. Over there, you’ve got Nightmare Alley. And there you’ve got the Fear Palace and next to that is Mutilation Mansion. Pretty good, eh?’

‘Whatever turns you on,’ said Abbott, casting a practised eye over the terrain, seeking out areas of good all-round vision. Places you might put yourself to achieve a height advantage. ‘When do I get to choose my weapons?’

McGregor chuckled. ‘If only it were as easy as that.’

‘What’s the process, then?’

The voice came from behind them. Kilgore. ‘All will be revealed. They’re ready to see you now, Abbott. Follow me.’

‘Wait,’ said McGregor. ‘Should we zip-tie him again?’

Kilgore seemed to consider.

‘Yeah, that’s right,’ said Abbott, ‘better consider the optics on that one. Tied up or not tied up? What do you think will give Lady Norton’s opponents the right idea?’