He realized what he was about to say and, like a running deer that breaks upon a gully, his heart leapt. ‘We could take a little perambulation round the building. We could go for a walk in the woods before we go back in. It might be good to get some fresh air. Clear our heads a bit for the shift.’ An instant of quiet flight, the trajectory unalterable, the hoofs skipping their regular beats.

Rosie treated that suggestion as if it were perfectly natural. ‘Yeah, good idea, but do you think that’s allowed – to just wander around?’

Bluff reassurance was an attitude that Will had down pat. ‘Oh, I’m sure it’ll be fine,’ he said. ‘The police are here for our sake, after all, aren’t they? We could just go along through the trees here.’

They were about to turn left off the tarmac but, just as they were about to step off the verge, Rosie stopped and lifted her voice, ‘Anna, we’re not due in yet. Do you reckon it’s alright if we go for a wander once round the building?’

Anna bunched her lips. ‘Do whatever you want. In my day, we spent half the afternoon in the toilets. Just don’t expect us to come and find you if we’re getting out sharpish.’

Max added, ‘Shift starts at half three. Don’t mess with anything important.’

Pretending not to have understood what Anna meant, they stepped under the trees and were away. There was no path, and the ground was clear except for knuckles of root protruding through it, so they let their whim guide them. The leaf canopy above them was brightly illuminated, but among the slender columns holding it up the light was crepuscular. The tone of their talk softened and became more intimate; they spoke less of the Beast and the readers and more of themselves and each other.

Rosie told him, ‘You’re doing really well here, especially considering how short a time it’s been. That spot last night was really good.’

Will acted dismissive and, though he knew this wasn’t what she was talking about, said, ‘That Muhammed, Muhammad thing? Anyone would have seen that.’

‘No, the thing about them not speaking Arabic. That was an important spot, and the Editor definitely realized. I saw him notice you.’

A warm surge of satisfaction rolled through him. ‘He was probably just thinking—’ He puffed up his chest and boomed, ‘Who the fuck gave you permission to talk in my newsroom? I’ve been Editor of this newspaper since you were still shitting into your diapers.’

Rosie had seen many do it better, but she laughed anyway. ‘Seriously, though, it was good and, you know, I’ve been here longer than you and compared to you it’s like they’ve hardly noticed I exist.’

Will had become unused to straightforward praise since leaving university tutorials. He shrugged and said, ‘I don’t know…’