Porter wished there was some kind of advice he could give her, but nothing came to mind. ‘We all do,’ he said reassuringly. ‘I’m sure it will be fine.’

Sandy pulled away.

‘You look …’ She paused.

Cleaner. That’s the word you’re looking for, Porter thought with a twitch of shame.

‘Better,’ Sandy continued.

Porter took her holdall, and started walking with her along the platform, looking for a carriage where she could get a comfortable seat for the journey home. ‘You helped me out,’ he said. ‘And now I’ve got myself a job.’

Sandy looked at him, the surprise evident in her eyes. And maybe a touch of pride as well? wondered Porter. Or maybe I’m just fooling myself about that.

‘A job? As what?’

Porter knew he had to brush the question aside.

‘Just advising some guys,’ he said. ‘A consulting type thing.’ He grinned. ‘Pays pretty good though.’

He could tell Sandy wasn’t going to press him. She was just pleased to have made a difference.

Up ahead, passengers were slamming doors shut on the train. The station announcer was telling people the train was ready to leave. Sandy was standing by a door, ready to climb aboard.

‘I just wanted to say thanks,’ said Porter, putting the holdall back in her hand. ‘I may be just about the worst dad in the world, but you are probably the best kid.’

He pressed an envelope into her hand. Inside were the details of the account the Firm had set up in their names. There was already £250,000 in there, and Sandy could take it out as easily as he could. ‘If you don’t hear from me in a week, then open the envelope,’ he said. ‘There’s something in there you should know about.’

‘But Dad –’

‘Don’t worry, I’m going to be just fine,’ said Porter. ‘I’ll call you next week, OK?’

She smiled weakly. The guard was walking briskly along the platform, slamming any remaining doors shut. Suddenly there was a few inches of steel and glass separating them, and Porter was painfully aware that he might never see her again.

‘I love you, Sandy,’ he said, as the engine started to pull out of the station.

It took all his willpower to disguise the choke in his voice.

Even if I die on this mission, at least I’ll have done something for her, he told himself. That’s enough.

He waited for a minute, watching as the train disappeared along the dark track. Another train was soon pulling into the platform. Doors were swinging open, and people were starting to pour out of the carriages. Porter turned round, and started walking back towards the main part of the station. Ahead, he could see a couple of policemen watching him. Sent by Layla, no doubt, he decided. To keep a watch on me, and make sure I don’t do a runner with their two hundred and fifty grand and the new suit. Maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad idea, he thought with a wry smile. But then I wouldn’t be able to look at Sandy without feeling ashamed of myself. That’s what this is all about.