‘What in the hell am I supposed to say?’ He snapped back at her, genuinely angry. ‘Here I am flat on my back like a good little lad. In about another month they’ll stick me in a big black van and take me back where I came from. That’s what you wanted, isn’t it?’

She had gone very still. ‘I thought it was what you wanted – really wanted.’

‘And how in the hell would you know what I want?’

‘I’ve been about as close to you as any woman could get and …’

He cut in sharply with a laugh that carried just the right cutting edge to it. ‘Do me a favour, darlin’. No bird gets close to me. Just because I’ve had you between the sheets doesn’t mean I’ve sold you the rights to the story of my life for the Sunday papers. It was very nice – don’t get me wrong. You certainly know what to do with it, but I’ve got other fish to fry now.’

She swayed. For a moment it seemed as if she might fall and then she turned and went out. The Gunner closed his eyes. He should have felt noble. He didn’t. He felt sick and afraid and more alone than he had ever done in his life before.

The girl was crying when she came out of the room. She kept on going, head-down and Miller went after her. He caught her, swung her round and shoved her against the wall.

‘What happened in there?’

‘He made it pretty clear what he really thinks about me, that’s all,’ she said. ‘Can I go now?’

‘Funny how stupid intelligent people can be sometimes,’ Miller shook his head wearily. ‘Use your head, Jenny. When he left your house he was wearing shoes and a raincoat, had money in his pocket – money you’d given him. Why did he telephone you?’

‘To say he was giving himself up.’

‘Why was he barefooted again? Why had he got rid of the clothes you gave him? Why did he come running like a bat out of hell when you were in danger?’

She stared at him, eyes wide and shook her head. ‘But he was rotten in there – he couldn’t have done more if he’d spat on me.’

‘Exactly the result he was hoping for, can’t you see that?’ Miller said gently. ‘The biggest proof of how much he thinks of you is the way he’s just treated you.’ He took her arm. ‘Let’s go back inside. You stay behind the screen and keep your mouth shut and I’ll prove it to you.’

The Gunner was aware of the click of the door opening, there was a soft footfall and he opened his eyes and looked up at Miller. ‘What do you want now, copper?’