The German’s genial expression had long since disappeared. His mouth was gripped so tightly shut that Wilde wondered whether it were possible for the man to crack his teeth. Wilde was tempted to hit him, but Eaton saw the look in the American’s eyes and shook his head.

‘Leave him, Wilde. Let Tin-Eye’s boys have a go at him. Come on, we’re going to get nothing more here without cutting his balls off.’ He knocked twice at the door and it was opened by the guard. He threw one last look at Flettner. ‘You’re brave enough, Herr Kapitänleutnant. I’ll give you that much.’

‘I will pray for the child,’ he said.

Eaton snorted in derision. ‘And a fat lot of good that will do. I’ll send you a picture of her murdered body when your man has done his worst.’

*

Lydia entered the children’s room.

‘Come on, Klara, put your book down. It’s bedtime. Johnny’s asleep.’

‘Where is Tom? Is he coming back?’

‘Oh yes, he’s coming back. He just has a few things to sort out. I expect you’ll see him in the morning.’ Lydia handed the girl a toothbrush and a tin of tooth powder and directed her towards the bathroom. ‘I know it’s cold in there, but you’ll soon warm up in bed.’ She held up a hot water bottle. ‘And look what I found for you.’

‘Oh, I love those. Thank you.’

Lydia almost felt like weeping. The child looked worn out and listless.

‘Come on, little liebling, give me another hug.’

They held each other for a long time as Klara sobbed against Lydia’s shoulder. She had wanted to ask Klara more about her parents, how much she knew, but perhaps that would be better left to another day. If there was another day.

‘I don’t feel very well, Frau Wilde,’ Klara said, looking up, her eyes red.

Lydia stroked her brow. ‘You’ve had a lot to put up with. Come on, bed. Sleep is the best thing.’

*

‘What do you think, Wilde?’ Eaton asked.

They were sitting in his car outside Latchmere House with the engine switched off.

‘I think he told us everything he knows. From his reaction to the name, I think we can safely say Mr Young was on that boat. But Bormann wouldn’t have wanted anyone but Young to know the details of the mission.’

‘I agree. I almost felt sorry for Herr Kapitänleutnant Flettner. He was shocked rigid when he heard what his passenger is up to. I could see he believed us and he feels disgraced.’

‘Do you really think Young has a contact here in England? And access to a wireless?’

‘Almost certainly.’

‘What will happen to Flettner?’

‘PoW camp, Isle of Man. Probably better food than our boys are getting over in Germany. Certainly better than the poor damned Russians are getting.’