Tom did not immediately enter the bothy but circled around it, depositing the peli-case by the locked lean-to storage shed that butted onto the side of the building. He crouched low and crept up to the window at the rear, peering in to make sure it was empty. It appeared that it was, so he collected the case and approached the property’s only door.

It was unlocked, as was the tradition, offering refuge against the worst of the weather to walkers, whoever they may be.

Tom entered, feeling the usual sense of excitement he felt when coming back to what he considered his real home. The wood burner was set with paper and kindling, and there was a large stack of logs to the side of it ready for cold or stranded walkers.

Within a minute Tom had the beginnings of a fire crackling away. He added a few logs and soon the fire was roaring, filling the small room with warmth and turning the place from cold and uninviting to warm and welcoming. He took a small kettle from the rack above the stove and went outside to the small burn that ran towards the River Avon, where he filled the kettle before returning to the bothy and setting the kettle to boil.

Despite the urgency of the situation, Tom did not feel the need to rush to the cottage. He did not want to move until last-light, which was about an hour away, to avail himself of the advantage of the cover of darkness.

In true British military tradition, he was not going to begin his mission without a hot tea inside him. He did not have a firm plan other than getting eyes on the cottage and trying to get usable intelligence as to what he was facing. He had one advantage: surprise. The Brankos still believed he was five hundred miles away, back in London.

The satellite phone buzzed in Tom’s pocket which he answered with a, ‘Hello?’

‘It’s Pet. You have a call coming in from Branko. I’m patching him through to you, he will think you’re somewhere near Camden, which is where your phone is.’

Her voice was replaced by a gruff one which barked, ‘Where are you?’

‘Camden.’

‘I hope you’re not trying anything stupid. Not if you want your family to live.’

Tom said nothing.

‘I will call you again. You’d better still be in Camden. I’m going to be checking with my friends where you are, and I have people everywhere: just remember that.’

Pet’s voice replaced that of Branko.

‘Are you okay?’

‘I’m fine. I’m close by and safe at the bothy. I’m also well-armed thanks to the CIA, so I’m leaving at last-light to move up and get eyes on the cottage.’