He was flanked by about half a dozen soldiers, all of them well-built and heavily armed. Rain dripped from their helmets, darkening the green and white Nigeria Airways logo that was repeated across the thin carpet. Alebayo’s eyes slowly swept the cabin. As I followed the line of his gaze, the incriminating details seemed to leap out: the Nigerians in their smart uniforms; the rising sun insignia on the sleeves of the ragged Biafrans; the half-eaten loaf of bread.

When his eyes finally reached mine, they paused for a fraction of a second, and I fancied they glowed with a touch of triumph. He looked like he was about to say something, but if so he thought better of it, for he continued his visual tour. When he came to Isabelle, there was another flicker, but this I couldn’t decipher. Concern, perhaps? Or just surprise to see a woman, and a young white woman at that, in these surroundings?

He jerked away. ‘Who is in charge here?’ he said, and his voice reverberated through the plane.

Gunner stepped forward and saluted smartly. ‘Captain Henry Alele at your command, Colonel. This no be as it appear, sir. I apologize most heartily—’

Alebayo raised his hand. ‘There is no need, Captain.’ He extended an arm and patted Gunner on the shoulder, and at the same time a strange smile broke through his stern features. ‘I applaud you, for you have done the right thing. We must rejoice, today of all days - it is only proper. It came as a shock to me, that is all. I hadn’t heard, you see. When did the news come through?’

Gunner frowned. ‘The news, sir?’

‘Yes,’ said Alebayo, his smile still fixed in place. ‘It cannot have been long ago - I listened to the radio just before leaving my headquarters, and there were no reports of a ceasefire then.’

Gunner lowered his head for a moment - perhaps to gather courage - and then looked up at Alebayo. ‘I have not heard about a ceasefire, sir.’

‘Oh?’ said Alebayo, raising his eyebrows in a caricature of puzzlement. He slowly withdrew his hand from Gunner’s shoulder and set his eyes travelling around the cabin again, in the manner of a lawyer making sure everyone in the jury appreciated that he had just caught out a witness. Then, in a louder, more menacing voice, he said: ‘So why are you fraternizing with the enemy, Captain?’

Isabelle shuddered beside me. I knew how she felt - it had been a nasty little trick.

‘I know it begin look that way, sir,’ said Gunner. ‘The truth—’