‘Oh, come on, Irena, that’s exactly what you said when I found you that night, battered to within an inch of your life. Only I’m assuming it was Nick’s handiwork that time, seeing as Karel was in prison at the time. Am I right?’

Irena turned to the door without answering, and Frank said, ‘I know you’ll probably tell me it was part of the plan’ – he made quotation marks in the air with his fingers – ‘but why did Karel let Nick do that to you if he cares about you as much as you claim he does?’

Again, Irena hesitated, and her expression had hardened when she looked back at him.

‘I know you are say these things to make trouble, but it will not work,’ she said. ‘Karel is good man, and he love me.’

‘No, he doesn’t,’ Frank argued. ‘Or he wouldn’t have gone in there while you were sleeping last night, and—’

He caught himself before the rest of the words came out and released a weary sigh. He had intended to tell her about Karel and the girl, but his instincts told him that would cause more trouble for him than for Karel. Irena was bound to tell the man what he’d said, and Frank had already witnessed his violent streak first hand, so it wasn’t worth it.

‘What were you going to say?’ Irena pressed, suspicion in her eyes.

‘Nothing,’ said Frank. ‘You were right: I was trying to stir things up. Forget it.’

Irena continued to stare at him for several moments. Then, quietly, she said, ‘I know you think I have cold heart, Frankie, but I honestly never meant for you to be hurt.’

Frank didn’t reply, but his eyes betrayed the emotion her words had stirred in him. Hearing her call him by that name brought back memories of the time they had spent together before this nightmare began. It might all have been a lie on her part, but he’d felt genuine affection for her, and, despite his determination not to, he still felt an urge to protect her.

Irena glanced at the clock on the bedside table, and said, ‘I need make breakfast. Drink tea while is still hot. I will bring food for you when I have finish.’

Reminded of something that had come into his mind during the long, hot, restless night, Frank said, ‘Subject of food, I don’t suppose you could nip over to Yvonne’s and see to the animals, could you? Only it’s been a few days now, and I’m worried they’ll starve if they don’t get something soon.’

‘I will try,’ she agreed.

‘One more thing . . .’ Frank said before she moved. ‘Is there any chance I can goto the bathroom toempty that?’ Embarrassed, he nodded toward the stinking vase of piss.

‘I will ask one of men to take you,’ she said, backing out onto the landing.