‘That’s all right,’ said Graham. ‘Thank you. The thing is, I don’t know for sure, but I think out of the two of us, Dad’s taken it worse somehow. I think that, well, look, what I’m trying to say is that if you’re here for any other reason than buying garden equipment, then I can’t pretend that I’m pleased to see you. But on the other hand, maybe a taste of the old life is what he needs.’

‘I see.’

‘And is that it? Is that why you’re here?’

‘Look, Graham, you seem like a great kid, but I can’t say any more.’

‘OK,’ said Graham. ‘He’s in the greenhouses. Go through the shop and out the back you’ll find them. Dad says the heating there reminds him of the Middle East. You should feel right at home.’

Graham was right. Strolling through the first greenhouse, Abbott stripped off his overshirt, thinking how long it had been since he last saw Ward. Would he even recognise him? A guy in overalls pushed a wheelbarrow past him. ‘Is Ward about?’ he asked.

‘Back there.’

Abbott went on until at the far end of the last greenhouse, he found Ward, who was standing there, hands on his overalled hips, staring out of the window. A droplet of perspiration ran down his temple.

‘Ward,’ said Abbott.

‘Abbott,’ said Ward, turning slowly. ‘You’re early, aren’t you?’ He checked his watch. ‘Oh, sorry, no, you’re not early.’

‘Well, I think I’ve seen it all now,’ said Abbott as the two of them turned and began to walk together. ‘I’ve never known any explosives expert get sloppy with their timings, especially not the legend that is Freddie Ward.’

‘Well, mate, quite a lot has changed, I’m afraid.’

‘Yeah, and I heard the reason why,’ said Abbott.

‘You spoke to Graham, then?’

‘He’s a good kid.’

‘You had one yourself, didn’t you? I’m sorry, I forget the name. I mean, I’m not sure I ever really knew it.’

‘His name was Nathan.’

Ward looked up sharply at the use of the past tense. ‘I see,’ he said. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘Yeah, it happened in Iraq but any more than that I don’t want to say. Put it this way, I dearly wish we had been running a garden centre together. Even if he isn’t so sure that it’s what you want.’

‘Oh yes? What did Graham say about that, then?’

‘That maybe his dad misses the old life.’