‘I will be when I’ve had a fag and a stiff gin-and-tonic,’ she said.

‘First drink’s on me,’ said Carr, with a grin.

‘And it’s not often you hear that,’ said Geordie.

But just as he spoke a new burst of automatic fire came from the compound and shredded the leaves above their heads.

Whoever was firing was guessing, but it was a reminder.

‘Geordie, Kev,’ said Carr. ‘Take the girls and get back to the vehicles as quick as you can. Me and Fred will RV there with you in ten minutes.’

‘But John…’ said McMullen.

‘Don’t make me grip you again, you daft fucker. Just go.’

Charlotte Morgan grabbed John Carr’s arm – befuddled by the dark and the noise and drama.

‘What’s happening?’ she said.

‘We’ve got vehicles waiting half a kilometre that way,’ said Carr. ‘Kev and Geordie are going to get you there. Me and Fred are just going to make sure that no one follows us up. Don’t worry, we’re not planning on dying. I want to get back to my kids, and Fred’s got his stamp collection.’

‘I’d rather stay with you,’ she said, anxiously. ‘I don’t think…’

‘Oh, for fuck’s sake,’ said Carr. ‘Not you as well. Kev, take her and get the fuck out of here.’

‘Come on, Charlotte,’ said McMullen. ‘There’s no point fucking arguing with him.’

Carr watched them go, Skelton just behind them, and then turned back to Fred West.

‘Right, mate,’ he said. ‘Let’s blow that generator fuel tank, now, and give the bastards something else to think about.’

West grinned. ‘This should be fucking exciting,’ he said.

There was another wild, unaimed burst of fire from the villa.

A moment later, Fred pressed his transmit button, and there was an instant bang, and then a secondary flash and a whoof, as first the plastic explosive detonated and then three thousand litres of kerosene went up.

The resultant fireball went hundreds of feet into the air, turning night into day, and Carr felt the heat even at this distance. It also blew into the main building through every available aperture, sending flame and death through the rooms and hallways, incinerating several wounded fighters.

‘Good work, mate,’ said Carr, clapping West on the shoulder, and standing up. ‘Let’s go.’

Both men got up and began to run.

Chapter 102.

102.

KHASMOHMAD KADYROV had looked out of the upper floor of the villa, just in time to see figures moving into the plantation that lay to the side of the compound.

He assumed that they had vehicles in that direction – they had to be close, too, because they weren’t going to get far on foot.

His plan – the only possible plan, now – was to pursue them and kill them.

Most of all, he wanted to kill the women.

There would be no ransom paid, but all thought of that was gone anyway.