‘Because they need me,’ replied Kareem. ‘They’re clueless. They have no inside knowledge.’ They had moved outside and he was looking over Patrick’s shoulder to the empty sitting room behind the glass. A growl was building in the sky; they craned necks and saw a jumbo jet lumbering on its midday approach towards Heathrow.

‘An ugly beast,’ declared Kareem. ‘How sad that we no longer see Concorde. My degree was aeronautical engineering. Perhaps instead of ending up here,’ he gestured to the walls around them, ‘I might have trained as a pilot and sat in the cockpit of that beautiful creation. It restored one’s faith in the genius of British design and creativity.’

Patrick couldn’t tell whether he was genuine or dripping irony. ‘Why didn’t you?’

‘Perhaps you may not have noticed, Patrick. The world changed.’

I will not react to the arrogance, the superciliousness, Patrick told himself. He wondered whether Kareem ever raised his voice; whether it was possible to goad him, to breach him. He suspected not. ‘So, your contract – what do you want it to contain?’

‘Standard elements for civil service and government employment. Salary with increments. Holiday. Pension scheme. Time off in lieu for weekend work.’

‘You want MI5 to give you a staff job.’

‘Why not?’

‘Have you raised it with them yourself?’

‘No. I prefer to use my lawyer.’ He gave Patrick a condescending nod of approval.

‘I’ll convey your terms to them.’

‘There is one other condition,’ added Kareem airily.

‘Yes?’

‘I require indemnities.’

‘Indemnities for what?’

‘The job they are offering me will expose me to situations where I may personally have to make unpalatable decisions. I require indemnities against any risk of prosecution as a result of any such decisions or actions by me.’

‘What job? What decisions and actions?’

‘Not relevant to you.’

‘Then how can I negotiate indemnities for you?’ asked Patrick.

‘Ask them. They are the intelligence services. I suggest they use their intelligence.’

Patrick recalled J’s similar play on the word – two peas from the same pod. ‘I will convey that request too.’

‘Please understand, Patrick,’ the tone remained calm but a steeliness had emerged, ‘this is not a request, it is a requirement. I am not going to hang for them.’

‘And if they refuse it?’

‘I have no desire to appear in a court or go to prison but there will be no deal without it.’

‘What can you offer them in return?’

Kareem answered without hesitation. ‘Loyalty. I appreciate their offer, which will give my life a new purpose. As I think they understand, my reflections on these matters since the events of July have brought a change.’

‘Are you saying you positively want this job? Whatever it might be.’

‘It will give me the mission I need.’

His choice of words was so curious that Patrick, though he knew it would displease his ‘client’, tried again to probe. ‘Could you explain?’