‘You’re the guys in white hats,’ says Ron. ‘Never an easy job, especially when you’re facing a sea of black Stetsons. If you’ve had enough, give it all up and go and work at Primark. But I don’t think you’re going to do that.’

‘Too right. I’m too pig-headed to give up. But you didn’t come here to listen to me whinge about how the job’s not perfect. It’s hardly news to you, is it? What about you, Ron? I have to say you’re looking good. Malaga suits you.’

‘It’s funny you should say that. Are we having pudding, by the way? I’ve a taste for some sticky toffee cheesecake. June and I are thinking it’s time we did a bit of travelling. She’s persuaded me to buy a camper van.’

‘A camper van? Rocket Ron Perdue, one-time legend of the high-speed chase, in a camper van?’

Ron looks embarrassed.

‘I know,’ he says. ‘Not quite my thing, you’d be thinking. But to be honest, I feel ready for life in the old farts’ lane. We’re going to head across to France, then just bumble about a bit, see where the road takes us. Down to Italy, if we get that far. Good food, maybe a bottle or two of wine, maybe even a case or two.’

‘Sounds brilliant. But what if we need your undercover assistance or an anonymous tip-off?’

Ron shakes his head.

‘Not this side of September. But you never know, come winter, I might be available for hire. And I come cheap, these days. A pie and a pint, and I’m all yours.’

‘I’m glad to hear it.’

‘And what about you, Rachel? I trust you’re going to make good use of your precious leave this year? No repetition of last year when you had two weeks home alone in your flat?’

‘As a matter of fact, I am going away this year.’ Naylor gives Ron a big smile. ‘Two weeks on the Costa Blanca, just outside Alicante. I can’t wait.’

‘And will you be travelling alone?’

She smiles again.

‘Not exactly.’

Ron reaches into his trouser pocket and pulls out an envelope.

‘Remember at Christmas, I put a name in here?’

Naylor looks surprised.

‘I thought you were joking about that.’

‘I did it as a little test for myself, and now I’d like to find out for certain if I’m right. I reckon that I have in here the name of your travelling companion.’ He tears open the flap, takes out a slip of paper and shows her the name written on it. Leon Dallabrida.

Naylor laughs.

‘How did you do that?’

‘By my amazing powers of deduction. Well, more observation, actually. He had a thing for you for a long time. It’s just that you were a bit slow on the uptake.’

‘I had other fish to fry.’