‘I just called her, but this woman answered her phone. And I tried to talk to her, but this nurse said she was in the ICU, and she wouldn’t fucking tell me anything, and so—then I—but I don’t⁠—’

‘Brendan. Breathe for me, okay? It’s all okay.’ There’s some rushed, low-level mumbling as she presumably talks to Gabe.

‘I need to know,’ I say, because she’s being obtuse. I thought Athena was smart, but she’s too calm. I don’t understand why she’s—doesn’t she realise how bad this is? ‘I need to know how—what’s the—like, is there a fucking plan here?’

I’ve started shouting without realising it. I just want to make her understand the urgency here.

‘Brendan. Listen. Can you make it over here? Come over and we’ll have a proper chat, and I’ll tell you what I can, though the story is really Marlowe’s to tell.’

My mind is reeling, but the only thing I’m certain of is that I need answers. ‘Yeah. I’ll take the bike.’ I have a bespoke Falcon in the garage downstairs, and it’s going to be by far the quickest way of taking me across London and getting me some answers.

‘Okay.’ She sounds doubtful. ‘Don’t kill yourself. You’ll be no good to anyone if you come off your motorbike.’

‘I won’t. Athena?’

‘Yes?’

I can barely get out the words. ‘How old is—how old is her—Tabby?’

‘She’s eight. Nearly nine.’ Athena’s voice is soft when she says it in a way I haven’t heard before, except when she’s mooning over my brother.

My beautiful Marlowe is mother to a gravely ill eight-year-old little girl, and I didn’t know a damn thing about it.

Idon’t take the time to put on my leathers, which is probably really stupid, but I don’t care. Besides, it’s a warm night and I’d rather stay in my shorts and t-shirt. I get across the river quickly on my Falcon and then make my way to my brother’s house in Manchester Square as speedily as I can risk without getting pulled over.

Athena answers the door. She surveys me with a grim countenance. No doubt she thinks I’m having some kind of breakdown. She wouldn’t be far wrong. The entire way here, my brain has been downloading question after question. I don’t understand what’s going on here, and I need some answers before I lose the fucking plot.