Kate’s face relaxed. ‘To tell you the truth, I’d love one.’

‘Supper on our laps in front of the fire?’

‘Only if it’s something ridiculously simple.’

‘Well, that’s that sorted. All you have to do now is fill the afternoon. You could come and help me in the shop.’

Kate shook her head. ‘I think that would be more than I could bear. I’ll go and do a bit of shopping. Get myself a toothbrush and things. Maybe another top.’ Then she saw Erica grinning at her.

‘I know. I haven’t changed. Well, not much.’

‘You want to do what?’ Sarah was looking at Gary as though he’d lost the plot.

‘He’s the only doctor I know. I’m not going to give anything away. Just sound him out a bit. Anyway, I haven’t actually got anything to give away. It’s only guesswork.’

‘Educated guesswork.’

‘Yes, but we’re still in the dark really. I’ve got Ben Atkinson to make some enquiries in Harley Street but I’m not that hopeful. They’re a tightly knit bunch.’

Sarah dropped a file on to his desk. ‘Well, here you are. Mr Tan’s latest movements.’

‘Any more visits to Harley Street?’

‘Three. One on Monday and two yesterday.’

‘In which case he’s either very ill or very greedy.’

‘He doesn’t look especially poorly,’ said Sarah briskly.

‘But we still don’t know for sure that it’s transplants he selling, not drugs. And there’s still the possibility of the protection racket, even though all the police have come up with so far is a group of layabouts looking for a bit of excitement. We can’t go much further until we have a positive lead.’

Sarah sighed. ‘I suppose you’re right. But just be careful. Don’t let anything slip about what you do.’

Gary frowned at her.

‘I know. I’m stating the obvious. But I don’t want to have to worry any more about you. You’re enough of a liability as it is.’

‘Am I?’

‘More than enough.’

‘Enough to make you want to…’

Sarah coughed loudly. ‘Ahem! Walls have ears…even here.’ She looked around to check that no one was interested in their conversation. Then she lowered her voice to a whisper. ‘To make me want to what?’

‘Come home with me tonight,’ Gary muttered as he shuffled the papers on his desk.

‘Maybe.’

Safe was what Ellie had said it would be. Funny. Christopher felt anything but safe. He had taken ages to choose his tie, checked three times to make sure that he had the tickets, and set off for London in his car allowing two hours for the journey. Maria had said she would already be in London that day. She was meeting her daughter to go around the Wallace Collection. Something to do with her fine arts degree.