Opening the lock, he withdrew an old set of CS95 multi-terrain pattern camouflage trousers and a windproof smock that he’d kept hold of after leaving the military. He also dug out an old chunky green fleece, hunting gloves, and his camouflage cap. He was glad of the well-used pair of brown Meindl walking boots and thick socks that sat at the bottom of the cupboard. He would now be far more appropriately dressed for what he was about to undertake.

He quickly changed, leaving his discarded clothes in the cupboard, apart from his T-shirt, which he kept on. He strapped on the Kevlar vest and adjusted the straps to make sure it fitted well and close to the body to offer the best protection. He was impressed at how light and comfortable the vest was: far better than anything he’d worn in the past.

He pulled the windproof smock over the vest and picked up the harness that Bill had mentioned. He found that it was a fairly simple bit of kit, but not one he’d seen before.

Under the left arm, there was webbing strap storage for three magazines to be secured with a clip fastener; the fourth magazine would remain in the weapon. This harness appeared to be a bespoke item, probably commissioned covertly by CIA field teams as, with the butt folded, the whole rig wouldn’t be visible beneath a loose-fitting jacket.

He secured the three high-velocity-filled magazines in the harness and snapped the remaining magazine, loaded with the fifteen subsonic rounds, onto the weapon.

He took a long swig of his cooling tea and grimaced at the bitter liquid before topping it up from the kettle.

He slammed a magazine into the Glock, racked the slide, and slotted it into the thigh holster without checking it. Glocks were bomb-proof, hence being one of the most commonly-used handguns.

He checked his watch: 19:32. Still at least a full ninety minutes of light left. He wanted to be in position immediately after dark, giving him a little more time for some essential preparation.

He left the bothy and walked back up to the plateau where Donnie had dropped him off. It was a long, flat area with a slight uphill gradient heading towards the steep ascent to the summit.