‘Just about. A car bomb exploded outside three weeks ago, killing thirty-five people, two of those were government officials, but it wasn’t reported here, of course.’

‘And you think a shift in economic dominance would tip the balance of power?’

‘Of course. Look at 2002, when the Taliban was almost decimated, farming destroyed, ISIS not even a table of men in a dark room, and Afghanistan on its knees begging for help. Fast-forward fifteen years, and the thriving opium yield, together with a desperate and hungry population, means we can’t get a lever in any more. It’s pure mathematics.’

‘Can you bring maths into government?’

‘The only maths you care about.’

‘Money?’ He smiled and raised his glass.

‘Quite. I’ll have a glass of that wine now, please.’

‘I think I’ll order another bottle. Before you get plastered, Under-Secretary, I have a few printouts for you. Things have moved faster than we thought, and I’ve got some projections of cost.’

‘We’ve already discussed that, Philip. My role here isn’t – and never will be – about funding. There’s no way I could possibly get away with it and you damn well know that. I’m your legitimacy.’

‘Well, that’s where we have a problem, Charlotte. Because George was our fund-raiser. And Alan was more generous than his grandson.’

‘Sebastian? He could fund a small failing African nation!’

‘I’m not sure he can. You see, the inheritance is tied up in some trust: his lawyers have been fighting on his behalf for months.’

‘Wait a minute. Are you expecting me to find the money?’ She pushed back her chair and glared at him. ‘Who do you think you’re talking to? A few fancy meals are not going to buy me, Philip.’

‘Well that’s the thing, Charlotte. I have it on good authority that your Damehood was… shall we say not entirely merited.’

‘I beg your…’ She stood up.

‘I’d sit down if I were you. Your food’s about to arrive. My source tells me that you – amongst others – were on the take from a certain children’s charity based out of Nairobi at the time.’

‘Slater,’ she hissed.

‘Oh don’t go throwing mud, Charlotte. Let’s just say that what I have in my possession could be as big as Haiti.’

‘You bastard. I absolutely never—’

‘Yes you did.’ He stared at her, and her face twitched. ‘Now, about the gap in funding for the project…’

Chapter 25