‘That’s going to be a longer process,’ said Paddy. ‘She’s already setting up a charitable foundation in her boyfriend’s name, and I expect she will throw a lot of time and energy into that.’

‘She’s a tough cookie,’ said Carr. ‘You should be proud of her.’

‘We are.’

‘The other girl?’

‘Martha’s a different story,’ said Penelope. ‘She’s currently in the Maudsley. They’re making some small progress, but they think it’s going to be a long haul.’

‘Poor lassie,’ said Carr.

‘At least she’s alive,’ said Penelope Morgan. ‘You lost a friend yourself. I’m very sorry about that.’

An image came to Carr: Fred, on his back in that palm grove, eyes staring emptily into the night.

‘He knew the risks,’ said Carr. ‘He was a gambling man. Once the cards are in the air you don’t know how they’re going to fall.’

There was a pause, and Paddy Morgan filled it by leaping to his feet.

‘I’m so sorry,’ he said. ‘Can I offer you a drink?’

Carr winced. ‘I’ve spent the last two days on it,’ he said. ‘I wouldnae mind a brew, though. Milk, three sugars.’

‘Right you are.’

As her husband disappeared into the kitchen, the Prime Minister leaned forwards.

‘The Spanish would like to award you and your son the Real y Distinguida Orden Española de Carlos III,’ she said. ‘For your actions on the beach.’

Carr looked blank.

‘Their equivalent of the George Cross,’ said Penelope Morgan.

‘Very decent of them,’ said Carr.

She smiled. ‘I’ve spoken to Guy de Vere and Mark Topham,’ she said. ‘Based on the debrief you gave them, and the known facts, I’d also like to recommend you for some sort of award. All of you.’

Carr chuckled. ‘We didnae do it for the medals,’ he said. ‘Not when we were in, and not now.’

‘Are you sure?’

He wrinkled his nose. ‘I’d take a peerage, I suppose,’ he said. ‘Lord Carr of Niddrie’s got a nice ring to it.’

Penelope Morgan leaned back, and looked at Justin Nicholls for support.

‘Er…’ she said.

‘I think John’s joking,’ said Nicholls, ‘though it’s not always easy to tell.’

Carr chuckled. ‘You’re learning, Justin,’ he said. He turned back to Morgan. ‘Forget me and Geordie, not interested. If you give one to Kev McMullen he’ll only flog it.’

‘Mr West?’

Carr thought for a moment.

‘Aye,’ he said. ‘A posthumous award for Fred would be a nice touch. If it could be arranged.’

‘I’d like to do the same for Zeff Mahsoud, but unfortunately that would blow his cover. The intelligence he provided from inside Belmarsh and in a number of other areas…’ She glanced at Justin Nicholls. ‘Well,’ she said. ‘Let’s just say that it was invaluable, and it’s supporting ongoing operations.’