To help with the map-reading in the city centre, I’d made a list of the streets we needed to take. In fact, for most of the way all we had to do was follow the same highway right through, almost until we reached the Moscow River.

Once over the river it was plain sailing along the south bank. Ahead of us and to the right, the red stars on the towers of the Kremlin glowed in the sky – familiar landmarks already, giving me the comfortable feeling that I was back on ground I knew. In a few seconds we passed under the bridge we’d walked across that first night. Having glanced in the mirror to make sure there was only one car behind, I called Rick to say, ‘Slowing now,’ and Whinger dropped our speed to twenty ks so that we could get a look at the pink-and-white gateway and the churchyard.

The drive-past didn’t yield much. As Rick had predicted, the tall, elaborate wrought-iron gates were open, and through them we caught a glimpse of a small, low church, set back maybe seventy metres from the road. The light inside the courtyard was exceedingly dim, and we couldn’t see details, but I got an impression of ramshackle buildings round the sides, and even some bushes.

‘Nice and dark,’ commented Whinger.

‘Not too tidy, either. Look out, though. Here we are.’

The security guards on the Embassy gate had been briefed to expect us, and let us through without bother. There was a short delay while the Brit guy phoned the duty officer to say we’d arrived: then a message came for us to drive round into the compound. There, an outside light had been switched on, and under it was standing a young-looking fellow with fair hair.

As I jumped out, he came forward. ‘Sergeant Major Sharp? Richard Henshaw.’

We shook hands. I introduced Whinger properly, and the others more sketchily.

‘Got some stuff for us, have you?’ asked Henshaw.

‘Well, it’s for ourselves really. I’d just like to be sure it’s in safe hands.’

‘Of course. Well, here are your keys. You know where to go. There are two locks on the cellar door. This key’s for the central lock, this one for a padlock that goes through a hasp at the bottom corner. But in any case, the compound’s fully secure, so I imagine your equipment will be all right. D’you need any help to unload?’

‘No, no. We’ll be fine, thanks. Is this the only set of keys you have?’

‘No, there’s a duplicate set as well.’

‘Do you mind if I have them too? I’d rather we didn’t have anyone else poking around in there.’

‘Oh – all right.’ He looked a bit sniffy, but disappeared briefly inside and came back with another set.

‘There you are. I’ll leave you to it. As it happens, I’m quite busy.’