‘No,’ she said again.

Max stood up. ‘We’ll take you three, then. You can come back after Ellis and Grint have cleared things up.’

Markham shook his head. ‘Actually, Max, I’m with Jane. Ellis and Grint could be in as much trouble as the trainees are.’

‘Well, we can’t leave Matthew – or any of them – here to be sitting targets, and Ellis needs urgent medical attention.’

Jane shook her head. ‘No. This has to be stopped and I have an idea.’

Five minutes later she was still being stubborn, meeting all arguments calmly and reasonably and in the sure and certain knowledge her life was so far out of control that nothing she said or did could make things any worse.

‘Well, we can’t go back to our own pod,’ said Maxwell, cunningly. ‘The streets are far too dangerous at the moment and there’s bound to be a curfew in force, so it makes sense for us to come back with you.’

‘No. I thank you for the offer, but if anything happens to us then St Mary’s can perhaps—’

‘Make things considerably worse,’ interrupted Ellis. He closed his eyes against a spasm of pain. ‘Lockland . . .’

‘Sir, with respect, my recommendation – with which I’m sure Mr Markham will concur – is that St Mary’s spends the night here. If my plan works, then no one from the Time Police will come and disturb them and they can safely return to their pod tomorrow.’

‘And if your plan doesn’t work and something does disturb them?’

‘They’re St Mary’s and I’m sure they’ll think of something. Luke, be so good as to help the major back into the pod. ­Matthew – can you walk?’

Luke opened his mouth to argue and she turned to him, saying quietly, ‘Luke, we’re in trouble here. We’re all in trouble here. Ellis and Matthew are out of the game. Grint’s an unknown quantity but probably hostile. You’re the only one I trust. I need your support with this.’

He closed his mouth and nodded.

They helped Ellis into the pod and lowered him gently to a seat. He looked up at them. ‘Max, can we leave you any weapons?’

‘No, it’s fine. They’ll manage to outwit the Time Police without artificial aids, but thank you for the offer.’

‘For God’s sake, take care.’

‘If we’re successful then they won’t need to. For them it will be just a peaceful night in a garden speculating on what they might have been and indulging in a great deal of mockery at Time Police expense.’

He sighed. ‘You said “they” and “them”. You’re coming with us, aren’t you?’

She was packing her gear. ‘In my capacity as neutral observer, yes.’

‘Or, if I’m very, very lucky, primary target.’

‘I shall hide behind you.’ She turned to her team. ‘No arguments.’