But there was a lot of AK flying back the other way: they were in a major contact, clearly, and time was pressing.

Carr turned, keying his pressel, trying to get some situational awareness out of the empty doorway.

A few rounds punched into the outside wall.

He looked at his watch.

Less than a minute since they’d entered.

He transmitted blind, not expecting the guys to answer.

‘Jackpot, Jackpot, Jackpot,’ he said.

We’ve got them both.

‘Who are you?’ said Charlotte Morgan. ‘SAS?’

‘Close,’ said Carr. ‘All you need to know is we’re the good guys and we’re going to get you out of here. But it’s not going to be easy. Can you run?’

‘Out of here?’ said Charlotte. ‘Of course I can bloody run.’

Good girl, thought Carr, again. Ballsy as fuck.

‘Her?’ he said, nodding at Martha.

Martha Percival was lying back on her bed, staring wide-eyed at them, making a low, croaky moan through her filthy, skeletal fingers.

‘I don’t know,’ said Charlotte.

‘Can you help her? We need to be able to use our weapons.’

‘Yes,’ said Charlotte. ‘Of course.’

‘Quick,’ said Carr, using his knife to slice through the plastic tie holding her to the bed. ‘And keep your head down.’

Charlotte Morgan got off her bed and ran across the room to Martha.

Carr cut her tie, too, and then knelt by the two women, as Kev McMullen – standing back in the dark shadows of the room – fired a couple of shots at fleeting targets.

‘Listen,’ he said. ‘Stick with us and just do as we say, yes?’

Charlotte nodded. Martha did not respond.

‘Get her up,’ said Carr.

Charlotte tried to pull her friend upright, but she was a dead weight.

‘Please, Martha,’ she said. ‘Stand. Come on, you need to.’

But the other woman just sat there, eyes vacant.

‘Fuck,’ said Carr. ‘Okay, change of plan. Kev, you’re going to have to carry her, mate.’

McMullen put a thumb up.

Carr turned to Charlotte. ‘Right, listen,’ he said, speaking slowly and clearly. ‘You hear all that shit going on out there? That’s where we’re going, okay? You need to get your head round that.’

Charlotte nodded, trying to ignore the terrifying noise.

‘I know it’s scary,’ said Carr, ‘but you’ll be fine if you do as I say. I’ll lead, you follow. And stay close. Kev will bring up the rear with Martha. Do not stop for anything. Understand? Doesn’t matter what happens, you keep moving. You stop moving, it’s game over.’

‘Yes,’ said Charlotte. ‘Yes, yes, I understand. Keep moving, never stop. I understand.’

She realised that she was gabbling, but in her defence she was terrified. The shooting outside was unbelievable – she could hear bullets smacking into the walls, and the ricochets pinging off into the night.

Suddenly, she didn’t want to leave.