‘So, we’ve lost all of them thanks to your interfering mini-me,’ he said pouring himself a large coffee.

‘I think your man Vic is also at fault. But I wondered how long it would take for me to get the blame. Again.’

‘Again? What does that mean?’

‘Well, it was all my fault last time, wasn’t it? I put you in harm’s way. I exposed you to Seraphine. But let’s face it, Marcus, I never told you to date the woman or to fall in love with her.’

‘I didn’t fall in love with her.’

‘Who are you kidding?’

‘Seriously—’

The gate’s buzzer stopped Jameson mid-flow. He stood very still. His eyes locked on Bloom’s and he mouthed, ‘Stay here.’ Then he moved quickly into the hall, collecting his gun from the side table. Bloom held her breath. No one was supposed to know where they were. They’d been so careful coming and going, but obviously someone had been watching. It was either the people after Alina Maree or, if Jameson’s theory was correct, some kind of special forces unit bent on shutting Harry up. She had no idea which was the preferred option.

She watched Jameson walk past the door and peek through the adjacent blinds to see what he was dealing with. She imagined a team of black-clad soldiers in body armour and radio mics stalking the perimeter of the building. Or a group of motivated kidnappers tooled up with top-of-the-range weaponry. But then, to her surprise, Jameson pushed the gun into the back of his jeans, unlocked the door and went to open the gate.

Caroline Peterson looked a decade older than she had the last time Bloom had seen her. She was accompanied by a tall man with curly blond hair and glasses. Caroline introduced him as her partner, Robin, but before Bloom and Jameson could say hello, Caroline was on the attack.

‘Why the hell has she brought them here? Of all places. I swear to God, I’ll bloody kill her. She has no right taking them anywhere without my permission. Where are they, then?’

‘They’re not here,’ said Bloom glancing at Jameson who then shrugged. ‘Why would you think that?’

‘Oh, you think you’re so bloody clever, don’t you? Sticking together and pushing me out but I’m not having it. They’re my children and I want to see them right now. Sophie? Jake?’ She began walking towards the bedroom area.

‘Take a look around. They’re not here,’ said Jameson.

‘Why would you think they’re here?’ asked Bloom again.

‘Because I track their phones and my phone tells me that they’re here, so you can’t hide them from me.’ She walked through the rooms followed by Robin, who Bloom suspected was no match for his formidable girlfriend.

‘Why would their phones say they were here? They’ve never even been here,’ said Jameson.