Jack flopped into an armchair and shrugged. ‘Of course, but it’s been a while, and everyone believes I’m dead so they’re not looking. As long as I keep away from places I might be recognised, I should be safe enough. The beard’s a good disguise, and I wear unremarkable glasses and a variety of hats. I’ll probably shave my head again soon. As long as I don’t sneak around, hiding behind trees and stuff, no one should even look at me twice.’

Brave talk, but they both knew that if anyone from Jack’s past caught sight of him he would be made to suffer for escaping from the clutches of the gang all those years ago. Once you’re involved in that kind of life, there is no escape.

Tom waited, wondering if Jack was going to explain his presence, or if he was going to have to force the truth out of him. There had to be a reason he was here.

‘Emma’s five months pregnant,’ he said finally, a beam transforming his usually inscrutable face.

Emma was Jack’s partner, the woman with whom he had escaped to the other side of the world eighteen months previously.

Tom was delighted. ‘Congratulations, Jack. That’s excellent news. But in that case I would have thought Emma would be more inclined than ever to keep you away from the dangers of this part of the world.’

‘You’d think so, wouldn’t you? But she wants the baby to be born in the UK, and because she’s not as young as she was, she wants to be in hospital for the birth. She swears that she only trusts the doctors and midwives here, and I’m not about to argue with her.’

‘Isn’t that risky?’

‘I don’t think so. I honestly believe we can avoid any risk by changing our names. We’ll go for something pleasant and innocuous that will draw no attention – I’m thinking of Pete Johnson for myself. What do you reckon?’

Jack grinned at Tom, who responded with a non-committal grunt.

‘And we’ll move somewhere off the beaten track. I was thinking north Wales. Not too far away so that, if we’re very careful, the baby might be able to meet his or her Uncle Tom.’ Jack raised his eyebrows and gave his brother a half-smile. ‘Anyway, that’s why I’m here. I’m going to try to sort out the documentation for our new identities, and I’m not saying another word about how I’m doing that.’