‘And tell them what, Jimmy? That you have to get to Market Rasen races to commit a fraud? I don’t think so.’

‘Then I’ll get a taxi.’

‘Then you’d better hurry up. It’s already almost half past ten and I can tell you that there are no taxis free in Malton.’

‘How can you know that?’

‘Because I called all the local firms and I booked the only two taxis still available, both to collect me from the station in York at eleven thirty.’

I looked at my watch.

‘They’ll be on their way soon. Which means you will need to get a taxi from York or from Scarborough, and neither of those would get here in time to get you to Market Rasen for the first.’

I stared at him but he said nothing.

‘So if I were you,’ I went on, ‘I’d call the trainer now and tell him that you’re indisposed and can’t ride his horse today. Maybe you won’t get to ride any of them.’ I paused while the enormity of his problem sank in. ‘Or else you can talk to me now and be away from here in just ten minutes.’

He opened the door wide again.

‘What do you want?’

‘I want to know what hold Anton Valance has over you. Only then can I help you get away from him, while also hoping to keep your jockey’s licence.’

‘Huh,’ he said. ‘Fat chance of the second, if I tell you the first.’

‘Did he film you taking money for agreeing to stop one? Or maybe he lent you some money, say to buy that fancy Audi, and now he’s charging you extortionate interest?’

‘Neither.’

‘Jimmy, you’re wasting time you haven’t got. Tell me, what is it?’

He still hesitated.

‘Look,’ I said. ‘You either speak to me now or I’ll make a report to the BHA about the two horses you stopped last week and also about your plans to do it again with Oscar Mike today. Then there will be absolutely no chance of you keeping your licence. Is that what you want?’

‘No,’ he mumbled.

‘Then speak to me.’

He sighed deeply. ‘Do you promise not to tell the police?’

‘The police?’ I’d thought he was afraid of the BHA, not the police.

‘Yes, the police. Do you promise not to tell them?’

‘I promise.’

But withholding information from the police about some serious crimes is, in itself, a criminal offence.

Another sigh, and he looked up to the overcast sky as if searching for divine intervention.

‘It was a girl.’

‘What was?’