‘Yes, you’re right. That’s what I tell myself too.’ He hesitated; she wondered if it was her cue to leave. Instead he walked back to the sofa and sat down. ‘There’s something else I’ve hesitated to ask you,’ he said softly.

‘You must feel free to ask anything you want.’

‘Yes, I thought you’d say that.’ She felt him squirming. ‘It’s just this. Sara, have you ever been the subject of a security service investigation?’

‘No,’ she said vehemently.

‘Good, good. I was sure not.’

‘Why are you asking?’ She felt the blood rushing to her cheeks. ‘Has something come up?’

‘No, not at all.’

Whatever had prompted him, she knew he wouldn’t own up to it. Perhaps she could throw him a bone. ‘Look, I was interviewed post 7/7 by a Met detective. I’d attended one or two meetings organised by characters who might not have been as nice as they appeared. They asked me about them. They weren’t people I knew so I couldn’t help them. I imagine lots of us – if you see what I mean – were interviewed. But that was it.’

‘Yes, of course,’ he said. ‘Thank you for easing my mind.’ Smiling again, he stood up. ‘Not that it was ever uneasy – I’m sorry now even to have raised it. Never have any doubt, Sara, that I think you are a very remarkable woman and there’s no one I’d rather have by my side.’

‘Thank you,’ she said, shyly. ‘Now… time for me to go home, I guess.’

‘Of course, you’ve had two long days.’

‘Just Rayah left, I think.’ He gave not a flicker of reaction; she felt tarnished by her earlier speculation and strode back to the Legal office with an urge to escape into fresher air. She stuffed the folder in her travel bag, gathered her coat and headed towards the open-plan area. Rayah was still there, staring at her screen. Sara noticed her quickly change the image.

‘That’s me done. Good night.’

‘Me too in a mo.’ She looked up at Sara, engaging her eyes for the first time. ‘An old school friend’s having a party tonight. Do you wanna come, he’s always short of women?’

‘That’s sweet of you but I’m heading home – I’m afraid our Chairman requires me to do some reading. He who must be obeyed.’ She tapped a finger to her nose in what she instantly knew must seem an idiotic attempt at togetherness. Why had Rayah asked? She must have known what the answer would be. Once again, the loneliness of the Inquiry – and the loneliness she detected in Morahan – hit her like a lead weight.