When Feisal came back he was smiling. I hadn’t realized how tired and old he had looked until I saw that smile.

‘It’s all right,’ he announced, settling into his chair. ‘He wants us to meet him.’

‘Your father?’

‘He started out ordering me to turn myself in. But when I explained, told him you were with me and that you’d confirm my story, he said he’d be willing to listen.’

‘Danm nice of him. Look, Feisal, I’m not sure – ’

‘It’s okay, I tell you. A friend of his is away on business, Father has the key to his apartment, which is not far from the train station. We can hole up there, use his telephone to call Munich and your parents and, if you like, the Embassy. That’s much safer than the central telegraph office. You can have that shower and maybe even a drink with ice in it.’

‘Where does he want us to meet him?’ I asked doubtfully.

‘Ezbekiya Gardens. It’s not far from his office. He didn’t want us to go there or to the house.’

‘The police have probably got both places staked out.’

‘He hinted as much. Have you finished?’

I sat in front with Feisal this time. He was in a very happy mood, relaxed and smiling. He kept pointing out sights – mosques and museums and parks. The traffic was horrendous and parking seemed to be hit or miss. I wouldn’t have considered the place where Feisal stopped, in between a barrow piled with cauliflower and a little old lady who had apparently set up housekeeping on the kerb, as a legitimate spot, but he waved my comments aside.

‘God willing we won’t be coming back to the damned car anyhow. We’ve got a couple of blocks to walk.’

‘Okay.’

‘Vicky.’

‘What?’

‘Just in case . . .’ He hesitated. ‘I’m sure it’s all right. But stay a couple of hundred feet behind me. I’ll talk to him, get the key to the apartment. Wait till I wave or call to you before you join us.’

He didn’t give me a chance to reply. He started walking.

I followed, close enough to keep him in sight, but no closer. What he had suggested was only a sensible precaution; his father might be under surveillance and unable to shake it.