Luke swallowed again. ‘Your point is taken, ma’am.’

‘I was hoping it would be.’

Silence fell again. Captain Farenden sat very still.

‘I will admit that, for this team, the last twenty-four hours have been more than a little traumatic. You may not wish to continue in this organisation. That would be understandable. You are still under training and so, theoretically, if any of you wish to leave the service, you may do so. By this time tomorrow, you could be free to pursue whatever alternative careers you choose for yourselves.’

‘I’m not clear,’ said Luke. ‘I thought we were being thrown out – after a suitable period of hard labour, of course?’

‘Is that an alternative you wish me to consider?’

‘No,’ said Jane and Matthew together.

‘Do you require time to consider your decision?’

‘No,’ said Jane, Matthew and Luke together.

Her shoulders seemed to sag very slightly.

‘Very well. Captain Farenden will draw up your discharge papers. You understand your uncompleted service means you will not be entitled to any of the bounties or pensions usually available. Nor, from this moment, are you entitled to have your funeral expenses paid. Please exercise extreme caution, therefore, until you are safely out of the building.’

She began to busy herself with files on her desk.

‘Um,’ said Jane.

She didn’t look up. ‘Yes, Lockland.’

‘Actually, ma’am, I think I might like to stay. If I can.’

Beside her, Matthew nodded.

Commander Hay frowned heavily. ‘Let me be clear about this. You have been offered an honourable discharge, which you have refused.’

‘I want to complete my gruntwork,’ said Jane.

‘I see.’ Hay looked at Matthew. ‘And you?’

He nodded. ‘The same.’

Unseen, Captain Farenden listened, frowned and then got up and left the room.

‘And then?’

‘Actually,’ said Jane, ‘I don’t think any of us have thought that far ahead. Not least because we never expected to live long enough to complete our gruntwork.’

‘Give it time,’ said Hay, drily. ‘And what about you, ­Parrish? Are you clamouring to complete your gruntwork too, or is this the opportunity you’ve been waiting for ever since you arrived here?’

Luke opened his mouth and at that moment, Captain Farenden came back into Hay’s office.

‘Ma’am, Mr Parrish is here.’

‘Yes, I know.’

‘No, ma’am. Mr Parrish senior is here and he wants to see you now.’

She looked at Luke and said slowly, ‘Do we know why?’

Luke shook his head. ‘Not a clue, ma’am.’

‘Nothing new there, then. Ask him to wait, please, Charlie. I shan’t be a moment.’

‘Yes, ma’am.’ He turned to leave the room, but obviously waiting was something that happened to other people because, without warning, Parrish senior was suddenly in the room.