‘It’s just for a few minutes, Theo,’ said June impatiently. ‘Then I’ll get you something to eat, all right? Now come along.’

‘But where?’

‘Just come with me. And please stop arguing. Don’t you want to help me?’

Theo didn’t look at all like she wanted to help, but she allowed June to march her away by the arm. She wasn’t quite done yet, though. As she was whisked away she turned, directing a look of pure hatred at her adversary over her shoulder. ‘This is all your fault, fatty! I’ll get you for this! This ain’t over yet!’

And then, the two of them disappeared into the next room, Theo still making dire predictions about the painful future that awaited the stranger at their next meeting, which, as she balefully informed him, would be much sooner than he thought.

The fat man beamed at Albert, the Jolly Giant personified. ‘Well, you’ve caused a right furore, my lad!’ he said, winking at Albert again. He seemed genuinely pleased.

‘Um …’

‘Oh, yes! They’ve put out an alert for you, you know. All over the communicators it’s been. That you’re wanted by the Justice Department and anybody who spots you, so on and so forth. The usual jazz. Although personally, I’m of the opinion you’ve been wronged. That photo they put out of you, it just don’t do you justice.’

He was laughing all the while, but Albert did not share his amusement. This was getting worse and worse. They’d put out an alert for him, and now it wasn’t just the lawbots, everybody was looking for him, like he was some sort of a criminal! He felt his spirits sink even lower. Not that they had very far to go. On the bright side though, the fact they’d put out the alert meant they didn’t yet know where he was yet, which, come to think of it, wasn’t much of a bright side. As bright sides went, it was positively dim. More like a less-dark side.

June walked into the room, her hair tied back in a businesslike bun. She looked at the fat man and frowned. ‘There you go, talking and talking again. Have you decided on what to do with him?’

‘Well, you have by not shooting him, so there’s no need any more, is there?’ protested the man, with a shake of his head, which made his hair flop around like a fading fire.

‘This is no time—’

‘Did you check her?’

June nodded.

‘And?’

‘Perfect match. It’s her all right.’

The fat man grinned. ‘Told you it would be an interesting evening!’

‘Yes. So then—’

‘So then, I’d say it’s time to get the talking done with, and soon.’