‘You will, of course, be perfectly at liberty to come and go as you please, but I would advise caution. There are many German agents in Stockholm. If you are wanted for questioning in Germany and are believed to have left the country by covert means, it is highly likely that word has gone out to Abwehr station heads in other capitals, particularly here in Sweden. It is possible they already know you are here.’

Wilde had thought as much himself.

‘Don’t worry. We’ll lie low.’

He was worried, though. Seen together, the three of them would be very conspicuous. Perhaps it might be better to take meals in their rooms when possible.

‘Now then, is there anything you need before I clear off and leave you to your own devices? Some Swedish money, perhaps?’

‘That would help. What I want most is a telephone to call home, though.’

‘Of course, Mr Wilde. You might find it advisable to make the call from the legation rather than your hotel. More secure. If you wish I will have the car pick you up a little later, at a suitable time. And you, Frau Somerfeld, is there anything extra we can do for you and the girl?’

‘I believe Klara would like some new clothes,’ Sunny said. ‘The family in Skillinge was very generous, but she would like to pick her own outfit, I think.’ She turned to the girl. ‘Would that be nice?’

Klara shrugged and looked at her feet.

‘Klara, I asked you a question.’

‘I suppose so.’

‘I think that’s a yes,’ Wilde said.

Harrison gave Wilde and Sunny a knowing smile, as though to say he knew all about difficult children.

‘Well, you’re in the right area for shopping,’ he said. ‘Talk to the concierge. He’ll point you in the best direction for the top stores. You might even find some Christmas presents to take home. But keep them small – every ounce counts when flying home through enemy airspace, as you will be doing. Oh, and Mr Eaton sends his kind regards, and compliments on the success of your mission.’

Success? Not yet. And, more than that, there was something else worrying him. Something he hardly cared to think about.

*

Wilde went to his room, kicked off his shoes and stretched out on the bed. He could hear Sunny and Klara moving about next door; he thought he heard raised voices. He wondered whether Sunny, having lost three babies through miscarriage, might now resent children in some way. Her relationship with Klara was certainly not proving easy, but on the other hand there had been incidents of warmth at sea, which had suggested that motherhood might not be completely unwelcome. Adoption? Was that a possibility?