He tried to smile. ‘I have to go to Dar Portuna to tell them about all this, try to apologize and hope that Ale can stay out of trouble. Then …’ He looked around at the heedless, blistering city. ‘I guess there’s no point in me staying. If I’d gone home a month ago, like my parents wanted me to, none of this would have happened.’

Bet patted his arm. ‘Well, be sure to come and say cheerio to all of us at The Hold.’

She didn’t sound overly concerned. She must have met hundreds of people like me, Sam thought bitterly, seen us all give up and go home.

‘Thank you, Bet,’ he said. ‘For everything.’

She smirked. ‘Give an old lady a kiss.’

He finally managed a weak laugh, and leaned down to kiss her weathered cheek. Before he could pull away she grabbed his collar.

‘That newspaper’s a rag, Sammy,’ she whispered rapidly in his ear. ‘Don’t let it get you down. Hacer de tripas corazón, as my old friend always says.’

She released him and he stepped back in surprise, trying to see her face, but she was already walking away, stomping through the traffic with practised ease. He watched her disappear around a corner, half stunned, wondering whether he’d imagined what she’d said. Only then did he realize she hadn’t given him back the passport.

He rubbed at his eyes. You’re not to be trusted with anything. Still, he was sure she’d keep it safe. He was so tired, beat down by the long night and the awful newspaper article, he couldn’t think any more, could barely look where he was going. When he stepped into Madame Sarah’s cool hallway, it was with relief. All he wanted to do was wash and sleep, but he knew he wouldn’t be able to. He had to get to Dar Portuna and face what he had done.

The moment he set foot on the stairs, there was a shout from the kitchen and Madame Sarah appeared, pushed aside by her sister, a formidable woman in a bright orange headscarf.

‘Monsieur Hackett?’ she said.

‘Yes?’ he answered wearily. He dug his hands into his pockets, ready to give up however many dirhams he had left, only to stop – all of his money had gone to pay off the police. He felt himself turning red. ‘Ah, about the rent. I just need an hour or two before—’

‘No.’ The sister glared from the doorway. ‘Two nights you stay out, you don’t pay, and now you bring women into the house.’ She raised her chin. ‘This is a respectable place. We will not have it.’

‘I’m sorry, I’m—’ Her words caught up with him. ‘What do you mean, women? I’ve never brought anyone here.’