‘That this could be a one-off job. They don’t intend to come back so they don’t care how much damage they do. And they’re not local, otherwise they’d have been a lot more discreet, because they’d want to come back again in the future.’

‘Correct. We need to check whether the whole tomb has been breached and then secure it. You and Lockland here will do that. You take the entrance, Parrish. Lockland, you’re small enough to get yourself through that hole at the bottom and confirm there’s no one hiding inside the tomb.’

Lockland’s insides slid sideways.

As one, she and Parrish turned to face the entrance. Rough stone steps led down into darkness. Or, as Lockland’s imagination tried to avoid thinking, led down into the gaping maw of the underworld. The black hole yawned at them.

Oblivious to her panic, Grint continued. ‘Parrish – you wait up here. Keep an eye on the entrance. Don’t get yourself caught. Stay here until someone comes back and tells you what to do next. Lockland, you don’t have to do anything. Just get down there, secure the tomb and wait there until someone tells you otherwise.’

There was a tightness in her chest. Suddenly, laying in pod coordinates with all eyes upon her seemed nothing compared to this.

‘I’ll go down into the tomb,’ offered Parrish.

Grint shook his head. ‘I detailed Lockland. You stay here and cover her arse.’

‘It should be me.’

‘You’re too big. You’ll never get through.’ His tone was dismissive.

‘I’ll go then,’ said Matthew, stepping forwards. ‘I’m small and everyone knows I have experience in confined spaces. I’m the obvious choice.’

‘And I’d be happy to let you, but you’ll be coming with me. Apparently you’re too valuable to have anything happen to you.’

The unspoken inference being that Lockland was not. She felt the familiar hot flush of humiliation and suddenly she’d had enough. She’d complete this mission and then apply for her discharge. Yes, she was signed up for two years, but she was prepared to bet they’d cheerfully let her go. How humiliating was that?

Matthew stepped back. He and Jane exchanged glances. The little that could be seen of his face was expressionless, but knowing him as she did, she could see the shame there as well. Even Parrish looked angry. They stood together in a tight little group. On their own.

‘We’re useless,’ she thought. ‘All three of us. Luke’s dad practically sold him to the Time Police. Matthew’s being singled out just because his parents are from St Mary’s, and no one wants me at all.’

She swallowed hard and tried to tell herself she’d been selected for a task of special importance.