He started to say something, but I cut him short. ‘Don’t bloody well argue! There’ll be time for that back in the UK. Get down to the armoury and tell Sasha I’m not coming out with the team this morning. I’m going to have to stay here and sort this mess out. In fact, you can ask Sasha to put an hour’s delay on the start today. If any of our lads are down there already, bring them back. Tell them I’m holding a meeting immediately.’

He’d hardly disappeared before I made up my mind. Yes – he’d have to go. He’d already done serious damage, and was too great a liability.

I called the Embassy, asked for the Chargé, and got put through to Kate, the red-headed secretary.

‘Is David there?’ I asked.

‘Not yet. He had to pick something up on his way in.’

‘Could you do us a favour, then?’

‘I can try.’

‘Thanks. It’s just that we need to get someone back to UK soonest. I want him on a plane today. Could you be an angel and book a ticket?’

‘Return?’

‘No – one way.’

‘What’s the passenger’s name?’

‘Ellis. Richard Ellis.’

‘What flight shall I go for?’

‘Any flight – the earliest he can catch. He’ll have to get from here to the airport, that’s all.’

‘All right, then. I’ll call you back.’

I urgently needed to speak to the CO in Hereford, but the time there was still only 6.30 a.m., so I decided to wait until he came into his office.

When Kate rang back, she gave me another jolt. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said, ‘I can’t get through to any of the airlines. The reservation lines are all jammed.’

‘Is that normal?’

‘Certainly not. I phoned a friend in the Lufthansa cargo department, and she says there’s some sort of a panic on. People are trying to get out of Moscow in a hurry. There are no seats available before next Thursday.’

‘Jesus! It must be this thing about the American Ambassador.’

‘That’s right. There’s a lot of really nervous talk coming out of the FCO.’

‘Like what?’

‘The international situation deteriorating, that sort of thing.’

‘Well, listen. I really need this guy on a plane as soon as possible. Can you keep trying?’

‘Of course.’

Ten minutes later she rang again and said, ‘I got through in the end, but no luck. I tried BA, Aeroflot and Lufthansa, and they’re all fully booked. There are no seats available before next week. The only chance is to send him first class. Lufthansa may have a seat at 1520 this afternoon, but it’s via Berlin, I’m afraid.’