The shop was just as Gilbey had described it. Prince pushed open the door, an action that set off a complicated sequence of movements and noises, culminating in a cord running down a wall pulling a bicycle bell.

Jensen is always there, otherwise it doesn’t open. He has a beard.

He had a shock when the man he assumed was Jensen turned round at the sound of the bell. He was a doppelgänger for Leon Trotsky. Prince was familiar with the Russian’s image from newspapers and magazines, and couldn’t spot any differences between this Danish bike shop owner and the Russian revolutionary. Jensen had Trotsky’s thick hair, greying and swept back; the round black-framed spectacles, the full moustache and goatee beard. He was even formally dressed as Prince recalled Trotsky always seemed to be, in a dark jacket and a tightly knotted tie.

‘Can I help you?’

He was momentarily surprised at the man’s unmistakable Danish accent. He’d somehow expected a Russian one.

‘I appear to have broken a spoke on my front wheel.’

Jensen nodded, his face impassive. ‘And have you come far?’

The correct response. ‘Yes, from Skovshoved.’

Now Jensen would be sure too, and his dark eyebrows, so like Trotsky’s, shot up a little. ‘And your broken spoke – when did you notice it?’

‘Fortunately not until the end of my journey.’

The man nodded and held the front of his counter, bowing slightly, concentrating on taking two or three deep breaths. It was a moment for him to gather his thoughts.

‘You’re certain no one has followed you?’

Prince nodded.

‘Very well, you’d better come straight through to the workshop. I’ll lock the door and put up a closed sign. Fortunately, it’s almost lunchtime. You don’t look too well – are you all right?’

‘You’re not Browning, are you?’ Prince asked once they were in the workshop.

‘No – I’m the contact for Browning. But I must ask you why you need to see him. I’m sure you’ve been told he can only be contacted as a last resort.’

You are only to approach him in the most extreme of circumstances… if your life is in danger, not if you’ve run out of milk.

Prince hesitated, unsure how much he could trust this man with.