‘Calm down, Tom. I was told you had nerves of steel. You have this pleasant room and I have a fine room across the corridor where Werner and I used to stay. This is better than a hotel – and we all need a good night’s rest. I’m exhausted.’

‘This is insane!’ he hissed.

‘On the contrary,’ she said, her former composure fully restored. ‘This is the perfect solution. Emmy has kindly offered the use of a car from her husband’s fine collection – a Buick, I believe. We will leave after breakfast.’

‘You’re not listening, Sunny. We have very little chance of getting anywhere near the car.’

In hushed tones, he quickly explained the problem with the Frenchman. Sunny listened intently, then shook her head.

‘I know the man you mean – and he wouldn’t be stupid enough to say anything. Don’t worry – nothing will come of it.’

‘No, he’s got us cornered.’

‘So what do you suggest?’

‘I think we should go – now.’

‘That’s not possible. This place has watertight security. No one can get in or out unseen or unchallenged.’

‘We have to try. It’s not safe to stay here.’

‘Gott in bloody Himmel, Tom, these people are my friends. They will take my side against some blackmailing French bastard. Please, just trust me on this. One night, a good sleep – and in the morning we will have a clear run to the coast.’

Wilde shook his head in frustration. ‘There’s worse. When I saw you earlier on, there was a man with you – a man called Anton Offenbach. He was my keeper and watcher. How in the name of God has he ended up here?’

‘Anton? You know Anton?’

‘He brought me from Portugal!’ He fought to keep his voice under control.

‘Tom, I didn’t know that. But of course I am acquainted with him – we move in the same circles. This is just a class thing, the same way everyone from all the great houses in England know each other. Anton’s a Junker – a nobleman or gentry, the British would say – like my Werner. These are my Beziehungen – my connections. Without them I would be at the mercy of the Himmlers and Heydrichs – the men behind my husband’s death.’

‘So Offenbach is not a Nazi?’

‘There are Nazis and Nazis, Tom. Let’s just say he is a patriot. Like me.’

‘Is he helping us? Does he know what you’re doing?’

She waved her hand in the air. ‘I’m going to my room now. Get some sleep. Klara is also exhausted – she is a child and she has had the worst, most tiring day of her life. But this time tomorrow you and she will be aboard a fishing boat on your way to Sweden – then back to your beautiful wife and child and safety. Don’t you want that, Tom? If so, then trust me.’