‘He never even gave me a hint it was going to be you on this train.’

‘Obviously he was pleased with you,’ I said, ‘he wanted to give you a really sensational treat. He even had me gift-wrapped.’

‘I never had to shoot Santa Claus when I was a kid.’

‘That’s part of the fun of growing up.’

‘Great,’ she said, without a lot of enthusiasm. ‘Who’s going to win, Max, do you think? Fifeshire or Operation Angel?’

‘I have no idea. If I can get a complete list of the American targets from Slan – and I’m sure I’m going to be able to – with Sleder dead, he’ll talk, then we’ll stop anything from happening in the States. Canada too, I hope. But England depends on finding those shipments, and we still don’t have anyone to talk to. The two people who could help us have both vanished: one’s gone on holiday with his wife, and disappeared; and the other one’s just up-sticked and vanished. At the rate things are going, we’re going to end up saving every other bloody country, and losing England – or at least a damn great chunk of it.’

‘One of those “other bloody countries” happens to be mine,’ said Sumpy. ‘I am American, remember?’

‘We all have our cross to bear.’

‘Fifeshire’s crazy – I don’t think he should be keeping this quiet any more.’

‘He should have armies out right now. We’re talking about something that’s going to happen in three days’ time that could kill more people than both World Wars, and here we are, the only two people out in the field on the whole damn job, making love in a train.’

‘Would you like to have five armies in here with us?’ She kissed me again.

‘Only if they looked like you.’

‘And you’d tire the lot out, would you, Max? Instead of one helpless little girl?’

‘If you’re a helpless little girl, I sure as hell wouldn’t want to meet the Bionic Woman.’

‘Didn’t I tell you that’s who I am in my spare time?’

‘No, you didn’t. In fact you never did tell me who you really are at all. I had to go ask your mother.’

‘I’m not allowed to tell you,’ she grinned.

‘When this is over, and if we’re still alive, why don’t we go somewhere quiet and peaceful, and have a few days together?’

‘White sand? Palm trees? Rich blue ocean? Gentle breeze? Martinis on the rocks? You rubbing sun-tan lotion on my back and me rubbing it on yours? How romantic you English are! Together we save the world, and then we fly off into the sunset in a silver birdie!’

‘Something like that.’