‘Jake and I had sex.’

I looked over at Jake. ‘Really?’

He shrugged. ‘She seduced me. I was helpless.’

‘You’re really making yourself at home here, Cameron. Using my desk. Sleeping with my partner.’

‘You don’t own him. He can do what he wants.’

‘Of course he can do what he wants. I’m allowed to have an opinion on it, though. Are you going to do it again?’

Cameron pondered. ‘I think I will. He’s good.’

‘He’s not that good.’ I wrinkled my nose.

Jake got up. ‘I’m right here. You’re both talking about me and I’m right here.’

‘It wouldn’t interfere with my work,’ she added.

‘Of course.’

‘I’m still here. Do you not think I get an opinion in this? I might not want to have sex with you again, Cameron.’

Cameron and I looked at each other and both laughed. ‘Come on, Jake, who are you kidding?’

‘Fucking great. You guys are friends now? I liked it better when you hated each other.’ He stalked out of the room.

‘You did a good job, Lex.’ Cameron looked at me with what seemed like a half-smile.

I shook my head. ‘I should’ve caught it earlier.’

‘Perhaps. But let’s face it, we could all beat ourselves up about every job we do, but we need to take a win when it’s a win. Maybe the kid hasn’t ruined your career after all.’

All this niceness from Cameron was disconcerting. This wasn’t us.

‘You do look like shit, though.’

And we were back.

*

The Platform was buzzing again. Back to how it should be. Rats and technicians scuttling through the corridors. The occasional flicker of the lights, the sizzle of bacon in the canteen, the slam of punch bags being pounded. We were open for business again. Another enemy defeated. We lived to fight another day and take down another target.

I came out the meeting room to find Mrs Moulage waiting for me, resplendent in a fitted tweed coat with fur collar. A flower-shaped diamond brooch glinted on the lapel. She was holding a red box.

‘Siew-Yong asked me to give this to you. A token of her thanks for keeping her safe.’

Mrs Moulage handed the box to me and I lifted the lid. A beautifully carved jade rat nestled inside. I touched the cold stone.

‘It’s very kind of her. But really it was a team effort.’

‘Don’t do that.’ Her tone sharpened. ‘Take the credit. When you’ve done well you shout about it. No one else will. Take it from this old Rat; things haven’t changed that much since my glory days.’

I tilted my head. ‘What was it like back then?’