Ellis subsided gratefully and looked around. ‘Well, isn’t this nice.’

Seeing that Jane was still too busy with Matthew to speak, Luke asked how they’d found them.

Ellis gestured at Matthew who was beaming vaguely at a nearby bush. ‘I asked him. Well, no, I can’t take all the credit – North got it out of him.’

‘She’s not here as well, is she?’ asked Luke, glancing ner­vously about him.

‘No. We thought it advisable to leave at least one person behind to do the explaining. She was . . . reluctant.’

Markham grinned. ‘Did she have that look on her face?’

Ellis nodded. ‘Oh yes.’

‘Do I gather,’ said Max, narrowing her eyes at Ellis, ‘that you think you’re here to tidy up a few loose ends?’ She gestured at Luke and Jane.

‘I’ve come to return members of my team to TPHQ, yes. Where they should be at this moment.’

‘As Deputy Director of St Mary’s, I’m afraid I can’t allow that,’ said Peterson.

‘I’m afraid you don’t have any choice. Sir.’

‘This is a St Mary’s assignment.’

‘That’s a Time Police pod you’re sitting outside. These are Time Police personnel. And this – all of it – is a Time Police matter.’

Max, glaring at Ellis, said dangerously, ‘I’ve seen the way the Time Police tidy up loose ends. You’re not having them. In fact, after recent events, I rather think your two belong to me.’

‘Actually, Max, no, they don’t. They belong to me and we all belong to the Time Police.’

‘That’s hardly something to boast about.’

Grint shifted his weapon meaningfully. ‘We should arrest them all. Aiding and abetting.’

St Mary’s clambered to its feet. The Time Police assumed an aggressive posture. Everyone stared at everyone else. Dramatic music rose to a crescendo. Any moment now the clock would strike and everyone would go down in a hail of gunfire.

Or not.

Casually, Markham moved between the two opposing forces. ‘Hey, Matthew, nice to see you again. Here – have some more water.’

Someone let out their breath and there was a general feeling that some crisis had passed without bloodshed.

It was at this point that Jane felt the need to be alone. It had been quite a long and eventful day and she was almost certain it wasn’t over yet. She stood up to go. ‘Um . . . I’m just going outside for a moment.’

Markham grinned. ‘Are you going to be some time?’

Maxwell narrowed her eyes. ‘What for?’

Jane blushed scarlet. ‘Um . . .’

‘No bathroom facilities in the pod,’ said Luke, taking pity on her.

Markham looked around. ‘What – none?’

‘No.’

‘None at all?’

‘Nope.’

‘Not even a bucket?’

‘No. Can we move on?’

‘How do you pee?’

‘Well,’ said Luke, ‘I can’t speak for Jane, but I do things the normal way. Rumours that Time Police shit solid gold, are, of course, well founded.’