She smiled. ‘I saw you on the TV.’ She leaned closer. ‘You were very good. Does that mean you’ll be meeting members of the government?’

He snorted. ‘I had a breakfast meeting with the home secretary. Now look at me!’

‘No one need know. Don’t give them the satisfaction of seeing your pain. Don’t give up on what you’re doing.’

He shivered at the thought of his words about restraint and the need for perspective. ‘Well, I don’t expect you to agree with any of it.’

‘You put your points very convincingly. I believe you’re sincere.’

‘I just want to make a difference.’

‘Maybe you haven’t found the right kind of difference yet.’

‘What do you mean?’

She smiled and reached for his face. Her touch was soothing. ‘Let’s not have this discussion now.’

‘What about Karza? Do you know any more?’

She put her hands into her lap. ‘Well, we’ve made contact with the group he’s with. He is alive, that’s been confirmed.’

He felt a huge rush of relief. ‘So he’s safe?’

‘Well, no one is safe in Syria right now.’

‘Of course – stupid.’

She laughed. ‘I can see you’re new to all this.’

‘So you might be able to get him back?’

‘It’s not as simple as that. We’ve yet to make direct contact. MI6 monitor all emails and Twitter feeds now so the fighters have gone quiet. I should know more in a few days.’

Sam felt a twinge of irritation. ‘So you asked me to come up here just to tell me you might know more?’

She focused on the cut on his cheek. ‘You’re bleeding again. I’ll sort that out.’

In the bathroom she dabbed the wound with a piece of lint. Her bag seemed to contain a substantial medical kit.

‘You came well prepared.’

‘Well, I am a doctor, and I do work for a medical charity.’

She produced a small plaster, unwrapped it and applied it to his cheek. ‘I hope that’s better.’ She bit her lip and dropped her eyes, but her fingers lingered on his face. ‘There’s a favour I wanted to ask.’

‘Name it. After all you’re doing for me it’s the least I can do.’

‘It’s a big favour.’

‘Well, go on.’

‘You saw we’re closing down here. I have to come to London, but I don’t really know anyone there and I was wondering if you had a spare room where you could put me up.’ She gave a small laugh.

‘Well, I’m staying at a friend’s myself.’

She gazed at him. Her whole persona, so cool and reserved when he had first encountered her, had softened. Her eyes were wider, her lips slightly parted. Then she looked away. ‘I’m sorry, it was inappropriate . . .’