‘Yes, I know. I just wondered if you could do me a small favour.’

‘Well, I don’t know.’ Solly shuffled his feet uncomfortably. ‘It’s not that I’m not committed to the cause, Priest, but I rarely accept guests into my home. Have you decontaminated yourself?’

Priest waved his hands around in front of him in a gesture that he had intended to appear unthreatening but which appeared to have the opposite effect. Solly stepped back, alarmed. ‘Sorry, it’s an intrusion, I know, but it’s a matter of life and death, Solly.’

‘Well,’ said Solly thoughtfully. ‘Since the stakes are that high, I suppose I ought to make an exception, but you will have to remove your shoes.’

‘Gladly,’ said Priest, relieved. He took his shoes off and moved forward but Solly stopped him.

‘And your jacket.’

Priest hesitated, but realised Solly meant it. He slipped his jacket off and hung it on the gatepost. He made to move forward but Solly stopped him a third time.

‘Sorry, Priest. It’s not that I am trying to be difficult but I do have house rules. I’m sure your house is just the same.’

‘It’s a little more flexible, if I’m being honest, Solly. Can we go in now?’

‘Of course we can. Just as soon as you remove your belt.’

Priest motioned uselessly with his hands. ‘My belt?’

‘Yes. I have a particular concern about foreign metals, I’m afraid, and that buckle looks like it hasn’t been cleaned in years.’

He nodded, exasperated. Took his belt off and hung it next to his jacket. Only faith and hope now hold up my trousers. ‘Anything else?’

‘I think that will suffice. This way, please.’

Solly led Priest through a door into an area that appeared to be a dimly lit living room complete with a black and white TV from the eighties and, curiously, a life-sized stuffed bear.

‘Fuck me, Solly. What’s that?’ Priest indicated the bear.

‘Oh, that’s Mother.’

Priest thought about whether or not he wanted to ask any follow-up questions. Time was short and he had to get back and prepare for Jessica’s visit, so in the end he decided to let it drop.

He produced the photograph and handed it to Solly. ‘Can you reverse image search this?’

‘No.’

‘Really?’

‘I can of course carry out a reverse image search for you on this photograph but I cannot reverse image search this, as you put it.’

‘Isn’t that the same thing?’ asked Priest, his patience beginning to slip away.

‘It will most likely achieve the same outcome, if that’s what you mean.’

Priest suppressed the urge to grab Solly by the throat. ‘Could you? For me? It’s rather urgent.’

‘Wait here.’