‘That is all,’ she said. ‘It is over. It is the proper time and place for him to die. The succession is assured and he has gone.’

‘You have cheated justice, Frau Fuchs.’

‘But this way I give you a chance to live, and to return to your family. You have at most ten seconds to get out of this house.’ Her eyes drifted to the gramophone at the side of the room and suddenly he noted the contraption half hidden behind it. A clock, exposed wires, explosives. A large box full of dynamite.

Wilde grabbed her hand, but she fought him off. ‘I stay with him. Go.’

He wrenched open the shutters and crashed out through the window. He was just beginning to pull himself up when the blast came. He heard nothing, saw nothing, as he was propelled into oblivion.

Chapter 45

Chapter 45

‘Mrs Wilde, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your hospitality these past few days. I have spoken with Mr Eaton and he tells me I will be collected the day after tomorrow. So I will finally be out of your hair.’

Lydia was dishing up lunchtime soup to Johnny and Borisov. She was surprised by the news he had just imparted. ‘Has Philip found you another safe house then?’

‘I believe so. And may I say that this soup looks and smells quite delicious, just like all your marvellous cooking.’ He patted his stomach appreciatively. ‘You will make me fatter than I am.’

‘You will have to thank Philip Eaton for the food. We don’t usually eat this well, you know.’

‘I understand completely. We, too, have rationing in the Soviet Union. Much more severe, I think. But I have good news – I gave your husband some caviar, so I am sure he will bring it home to share with you. In the meantime, let us eat and drink at Mr Eaton’s expense while we may.’

Lydia could do without the fish roe, but she had grown less offended by the Russian intelligence officer’s presence in her house over the past couple of days. He could be quite charming, in fact, and seemed to know how to flatter her even if she didn’t really believe a word of it.

This was the skill of the spy: gain people’s trust, worm your way into their affections. And Borisov was good at it. He almost made her believe he was on her side. Also, as a house guest, he was clean and attentive – and Johnny liked playing with him.

‘What will you do in the long-term, Mr Borisov?’

‘That is in the lap of the gods. I am still a Russian at heart, but I had to come here to save my life. Once someone above you turns on you, there is no way back. It was Beria or Abakumov, maybe both. Have you heard of them?’

‘I have heard of Lavrentiy Beria.’