‘I made a promise. I can’t break it.’

‘Meaning?’

‘Well, for a start, I’d have to resign with immediate effect if we refuse to implement it.’

‘The implication being that you would be unable to oversee this current defection, which would make it unlikely to happen?’

‘I didn’t say that.’

‘I should hope not,’ he said, ‘because that would be blackmail, which I do not respond to well, as I hope you know.’

‘I’m not blackmailing you or anyone else. I’m just trying to tell you I feel very strongly about it, to the extent that I’m prepared to sacrifice my career, if need be.’

Kate had expected this to be difficult, but the depth of his annoyance took her aback. ‘I admire the true nature of your moral compass, Kate, but we have to separate dream from reality here. Of course we would all like to make good on that promise to Lena, myself more than most. But “saving” Maja, as you might see it, cannot be more than a fantasy. Leave aside the epic expense of a protracted legal process and her resettlement here, who is she going to end up with now Lena is dead?’

‘Me.’ The shock on Sir Alan’s face was genuine. ‘I’ll adopt her.’

‘Have you lost your mind?’

Kate had not given this outcome any thought before it emerged from her mouth, but she moved from instinct to certainty in a heartbeat. ‘I feel more in possession of it than I have for quite some time.’

‘What would Gus and Fiona think?’

‘I have a hunch they’d wholeheartedly support it.’

‘They lose a father and gain a deeply damaged refugee sister? Are you sure?’

‘If that is the only way it can happen, then so be it.’

He leant back and, finally, smiled. ‘I’d braced myself for a fight on this subject, but even I didn’t expect you to go this far.’

‘You talked about it with Rose last night?’

There was a hint of something in his eyes for the most fleeting of moments – surprise, perhaps, or was it guilt? – before he recovered his composure. ‘I asked her to prepare the report so, yes, we have been conferring, if that is what you mean.’ He shook his head. ‘Look, I’ll promise to give it some thought. That’s all I can do.’

‘You can promise you’ll do everything in your power to make it happen. And that is the price of me remaining in the Service.’

His gaze was steady, remorseless even. ‘You’re a tough woman, Kate. That’s why I admire you. But this is a test of leadership. I understand the promise you made to Lena, but circumstances move on. This is a financial and legal minefield and it would be foolhardy for all of us to embark on it.’

‘Nevertheless, it is the price I’ve set.’