‘But she never goes out. So how’s that strategy working out for you?’ I can’t help sneering. I’m so angry that O and I – knitters, cat-lovers, tea-drinkers that we are – are under surveillance and he doesn’t even care about Martin Elstree of the power saw.

‘She’s out now,’ he says.

‘That’s because she’s in danger, you bloody idiot! She’s probably been lured somewhere. Or . . . Or dreamhacked, like you said! She could be sleep-driving, she could be lying in a ditch as we speak.’

‘In Central London? Which ditch would this be?’

‘Shut up. You know what I mean. They are trying to get at me through her!’

It’s too late. The words are out of my mouth. And now I sound like a Paranoid Patty.

‘Who? Who do you reckon are trying to get at you?’

What kind of conspiracy theorist am I when I don’t even know who’s behind the conspiracy?

‘You could start with Martin Elstree, like we just bloody discussed. Oh, why do I even talk to you? I’m going to call Muz again.’

‘He’s on airplane mode.’

‘How do you— Wait, are you monitoring Muz, too?’

Roman looks at his toes.

‘This is ridiculous. Why don’t you do something useful for a change? Where’s Martin Elstree right now?’

Roman’s eyes roll up as he checks in with his surveillance bots. ‘In a meeting at his office.’

‘Well, just . . . I don’t know, just find O’s hog. Please. It’s important.’

‘I’m on it. But if you want to know what I really think—’

I turn on my heel and glower at him. ‘Go on, then. If you have an actual idea.’

‘I do have an idea. The pigeons.’

‘What?’

‘O keeps racing pigeons. Unusual hobby, don’t you think? She exchanges birds with her sister in . . . where is it? Guildford?’

‘Dorking. How do you know they’re racing pigeons?’

‘She has the birdseed shipped in. She has a vet. Her sister has birds. It’s not hard to find this stuff out.’

‘You’re really nosey.’

‘So I’m told. So, Dorking, is that the only place they go? Do you know for sure?’

‘Oh my god. Sidney!’ It suddenly hits me.

‘Who is Sidney?’

‘A pigeon. With a tiddly backpack. He brought O a message, and I don’t think it was from Daphne because Sidney was knackered when he arrived. You’re right, Roman! It fits in with her whole low-tech approach to communications. It’s worth a try. We’ve got to release the pigeons and follow them.’

‘Whoa, let’s not be hasty. I need to be mindful of resources. Just think. Is there someone she trusts, somewhere she’d go if there was trouble?’

I try to calm my mind and think. Jez certainly doesn’t qualify, and unless Muz was lying he doesn’t know anything. I shake my head.