‘Good,’ said Wobbler.

‘You don’t mind? Because surely, if we do, you won’t exist, will you?’

‘Oh, I will. Somewhere,’ said Wobbler.

‘That’s right,’ said Johnny. ‘Everything that happens … stays happened. Somewhere. There’s lots of times side by side.’

‘You always were a bit of an odd thinker,’ said Wobbler. ‘I remember that. An imagination so big it’s outside your head. Now … what was the other thing? Oh, yes. I think I have to give you this.’

The chauffeur stepped forward.

‘Er … Sir John, you know the Board did want—’

There was a blur in the air. Wobbler’s silver-headed cane hit the table so hard that Bigmac’s fries flew into the air. The crack echoed around the restaurant.

‘God damn it, man, I’m paying you, and you will do what I say! The Board can wait! I’m not dead yet! I didn’t get where I am today by listening to a lot of lawyers whining! I’m having some time off! Go away!’

Wobbler reached into his jacket and took out an envelope. He handed it to Johnny.

‘I’m not telling you to go back,’ he said. ‘I’ve got no right. I’ve had a pretty good life, one way and the other—’

‘But,’ said Johnny. Through the glass doors of the mall he could see a car and four motorcycles pull up.

‘I’m sorry?’ said Wobbler.

‘The next word you were going to say was “but”,’ said Johnny. Men were hurrying up the steps.

‘Oh, yes. But … ’ Wobbler leaned forward, and began speaking quickly. ‘If you go back, I’ve written a letter to … well, you’ll know what to do with it. I know I really shouldn’t do it, but who could pass up an opportunity like this?’

He stood up, or at least attempted to. Hickson rushed up as Wobbler caught the edge of his chair, but was waved away.

‘I never had any children,’ said Wobbler. ‘Never got married. Don’t know why, really. It just didn’t seem right.’

He leaned heavily on his stick and turned back to them.

‘I want to be young again,’ he said. ‘Somewhere.’

‘We were going to go back,’ said Johnny. ‘Honestly.’

‘Good. But, you see … it’s not just a case of going back. It’s going back and doing the right things.’

And then he was gone, walking heavily towards the men with the suits, who closed in behind him.

Bigmac was staring so much that a long rivulet of mustard, tomato sauce, special chilli relish and vivid green chutney had dripped out of his burger and down his sleeve without him noticing.

‘Wow,’ said Yo-less, under his breath. ‘Will we be like that one day?’

‘What? Old? Probably,’ said Johnny.

‘I just can’t get my head around old Wobbler being old,’ said Bigmac, sucking at his sleeve.

‘We’ve got to go and get him,’ said Johnny. ‘We can’t let him get …’

‘Rich?’ said Yo-less. ‘I don’t think we can do anything about the “old” bit.’

‘If we bring him back, then he – the old one – won’t exist here,’ said Kirsty.