Grace headed back in the direction she’d come, passed by her workplace and continued for a mile or so up the bypass before she followed a series of turnings that led onto progressively smaller, narrower, twistier roads. Soon she was into deep countryside, pine forest, heather moorland and hazy mountains all around. The more remote they became, the harder it was for Jeff to keep the black Range Rover in his sights without getting spotted. The watchers were having the same problem, not knowing that Grace was aware she was being followed. The little caravan was stretching further and further apart by the second.

Nine minutes out, Jeff’s burner rang with an incoming call from an unknown mobile number. He answered immediately. ‘Grace?’

‘I’m seeing a black Range Rover on my tail, about a hundred and fifty yards back.’

‘Ignore them. How close are we?’

‘Less than a minute from the woods,’ she said. ‘There’s a little lane on the left that leads to a clearing in the trees. That’s where I always park.’

‘Copy that.’ Jeff ended the call. Daring an extra surge of speed, he rounded a twist in the road to catch a glimpse of the green Landy far ahead and the black Range Rover a long way behind. He saw Grace’s brake lights flare as she slowed for the turn. The Landy disappeared into the woodland lane. The Range Rover accelerated hard to narrow the gap, then followed.

‘We go in there after them, we’ll be like three little peas in a pod,’ Tuesday said.

Jeff frowned and was about to reply when he spotted another track coming up sooner on the left, which seemed to wind up through thick forest towards a ridge of higher ground. He twisted the wheel and sent the Transit bumping and lurching off the road onto the track. It was so narrow that pine branches raked the van’s sides, and so badly rutted that the suspension swayed wildly and rocks crashed against their underside. Jeff kept his foot down and pressed on determinedly.

Moments later, Grace called again. ‘Okay, I’m stopped in the clearing.’

‘Can you see the black Rover?’

‘No, there’s nobody in sight. What now?’

‘Now call me back right away, using your own phone.’

‘Why?’

‘To test if I’m right that someone’s listening in, Grace.’

‘What?’

‘Just do it, okay? I won’t answer, because I want you to leave a voicemail.’

‘What do I say?’

‘You say, “Ben, is that you? Your message said to call you. What’s wrong?” Say it nice and loud and clear. Make it sound like you’re worried.’

‘I am worried. I haven’t got a clue what’s happening here.’

You and me both, Jeff thought.

‘I’ll do it,’ she said. ‘But you better give me one hell of a good explanation afterwards.’ She hung up.