‘What did you say?’

‘The ropes they tied you with - where are they?’ I said it a touch too harshly, a touch too loudly, because I was desperate to get through to him before more men came and the chance was gone, and that could be in five minutes or it could be in thirty seconds. As a result, some of the others started to stir, pulling their gazes away from Isabelle and Scarface as they realized that something new was happening in the room. I looked into Gunner’s eyes and willed him to answer me. As every moment passed, my words sounded more and more like a mistake.

After what seemed an age, but which was probably less than ten seconds, he shook his head and pointed to the ground, where the ropes lay coiled against the inside of a table leg. I picked them up and looped them round one arm, then offered him the Stechkin.

He looked me over quietly. ‘You are not a journalist.’

‘No,’ I said, forcing bonhomie and efficiency into my voice, trying to use the exchange of words as touch-paper. ‘But we’re going to pretend I am for just a little longer. I’m your prisoner. You’re taking me to a hotel in Port Harcourt. Colonel Alebayo’s orders.’

‘Why?’ he asked. ‘You want me to desert my men?’

‘What good can you do them if you stay?’ I said. ‘What good can you do anyone? If you want to help bring this war to an end, you have to get out of here. Now might be your only chance.’

He nodded slowly, weighing up the idea. Come on, man, come on! Somewhere in the room, a Biafran groaned, and the sound of it echoed against the walls. Taking his time, Gunner reached out and took the gun, and I became conscious of my breathing as he placed it in his waistband.

‘I can only take two others,’ I said, willing him to move faster. ‘Your two most trusted men.’

That stopped him, and in the silence that followed I wondered if it meant the end of my trail and the rest of the war writing my memoirs on toilet paper. ‘They will be here soon,’ I said.

‘I won’t shoot my fellow soldiers,’ he said.

‘All right,’ I agreed, thankful that that was all he needed to persuade himself. ‘If we do this right, that won’t happen.’

He spoke quickly to two of his men, and when they had saluted and gathered themselves together, we opened the window and climbed out.