He emptied some into the metal bowl and added water, watching it swell, unable at that moment to look her straight in the eye. He wasn’t sure whether he should tell her that he’d called for help or, when Magnus came, pretend it was a surprise.

Handing her the dish and spoon, he urged her to eat. ‘I ate something earlier.’ He hadn’t, but she didn’t need to know that.

Yet another secret.

Her face shut down a little then and he realized she was getting better all the time at reading him, his moods, and maybe even his thoughts.

He took himself outside, just in case.

Magnus had known the bay of which he spoke and had assured Dougie he would leave immediately.

‘Don’t tell anyone else yet,’ Dougie had implored. ‘I want to speak to Ava first myself and explain.’

Magnus had readily agreed, before telling him, ‘Ava has released everything online. It’s all out there now, including parts of Nadia’s story.’

Dougie’s mix of relief and fear had almost overwhelmed him in that moment, so he’d said a quick goodbye and urged Magnus to hurry.

Why didn’t I tell Nadia that? he thought. It was what she wanted.

As if on cue, she appeared behind him.

‘They’re still there,’ she said, pointing at the bobbing black heads. ‘It’s as if they’re on guard.’

‘This is their bay,’ he said. ‘We’re the interlopers.’

‘We should leave,’ she said.

He swivelled round to look at her. ‘And go where?’

‘Back.’ She pointed across the Scapa Flow towards Orphir. ‘I’ve decided to hand myself over to the police, on condition I’m interviewed in Glasgow by the detective Ava talked about.’

Dougie, too surprised to immediately respond, just nodded his agreement.

‘So how do we get back?’ she said, obviously pleased there were no arguments to be fought over it. ‘Light a big fire on the beach for the coastguard?’

It was time to tell her. ‘I’ve made a call to Magnus at Houton.’ He explained who that was. ‘He has a boat and is coming for us.’

He wondered how she would react, and was surprised and relieved when she just gave a little nod and slipped her hand in his.

70

‘Nurse Jenny!’ McNab said with a smile. ‘I’m sorry I haven’t come back sooner to repay my debt to you. Things got a little busy.’

Having stopped dead on spotting McNab in the waiting room, the young nurse now observed him in horror. ‘What happened to you this time?’

‘I’m fine,’ McNab said. ‘It’s my mate, in there.’ He gestured to the swing doors through which Jack Winters had been wheeled.

At that moment Firash appeared, thankfully carrying two coffees instead of an assault rifle.

‘Firash, Nurse Jenny. My saviour last time I was here,’ McNab said.