‘Please, Lex, it’s not that hard a question. I’m going to be stuck here until late. I’m on my last shirt and I’m so swamped I’ll need to be back in the office early tomorrow.’

‘I . . . just, hang on.’

I jolt forward as the four-by-four hits the back of the van. A turning is coming up on my right, I pull down hard on the steering wheel, swerving round the corner at speed. The four-by-four can’t brake fast enough and overshoots it.

I speed down the road before taking another hard right. Having memorised the small network of roads back towards the motorway I know I’m close.

‘You there?’ Will sighs.

‘Yes. I’m here.’

There is still no sign of the four-by-four. They’re going to try to cut me off. But where?

‘Look, I get it. You have an important job, you’re busy, I’m busy, but come on, Lex.’ His voice is pleading.

If I keep on this road, I just need to pass two side streets before reaching the motorway. It’s worth the risk.

‘I . . . I’m thinking.’

I sail past the first side road. Nothing.

I check my side mirrors; maybe I’ve lost them.

‘Well?’

I approach the second side street just as the four-by-four roars out and slams against the van. I am again thrown against the window. I don’t let go of the wheel as I pull down hard to correct our path.

‘Darling?’

I try to think of my schedule for the rest of the day.

I’m drawing a blank.

‘OK, yes. Fine. I’ll do it.’

‘Hallelujah. See, it wasn’t that—’ I cut him off.

The four-by-four is now rammed right up against my van – together we are careering down the road towards the small alleyway.

Only one of us is going to get through and it’s going to have to be me.

I must time this just right. My foot is already fully down on the accelerator. I need to jolt the car out the way with enough time to make it through the alleyway and not hit the wall. I take a deep breath and calculate the distance ahead.

Twenty feet, ten feet, six feet and I swing down hard and fast on the wheel. The force clips the four-by-four and sends it spinning to the side and crashing into a warehouse.

I pull down hard on the wheel again and hold my breath as we speed through the narrow opening. The wing mirror breaks off as we skim the side of the wall and go full pelt through the alleyway and out into a small slip road that joins the motorway.

We are clear.

‘Lex, you copy?’ Jake crackles into my earpiece.

‘Black is secure. Entering the A1020 now. I’ll take him back to the Platform.’