Why was Robin taking so long to reply?

‘I’m here.’

I braced myself.

‘We’re all clear. It is not a bomb. Repeat, it is not a bomb.’

‘Wonderful, that’s just brilliant, totally brilliant.’

The women looked a little taken aback at my enthusiasm for the John Lewis sale that was currently on.

‘We’re taking the device and the two Ghosts back to the Platform,’ said Jake.

I turned round to catch Mrs Moulage’s eye. I gave her a small nod. Her shoulders slumped.

I tried to concentrate on the original mission. Bonding with the three Pigs’ significant others.

I clocked back in to what they were now discussing. The women had moved on to their frustrations of living with people who often read the newspapers with guffaws and a refusal to explain what they found so amusing. All three of the Pigs had high enough security clearance to know about Wolves.

Rats were not the only under-the-radar branch of the Security Services. A division named Demon Communications would run agents we regarded as Wolves in Sheep’s clothing to unduly influence public opinion.

Wolves could grab the headlines we wanted and bring down those we considered enemies without the bloodshed us Rats specialised in: the business mogul who was getting too much power crushed by a four-page interview with a prostitute he gave insider stock market tips to. The Conservative who was undone by the drug dealer he had been buying cocaine from. Little people bringing down the big ones. With just a little guidance. A little manipulation. All for the good of the country. As the Committee deemed fit.

I checked my watch. The WAF session was due to finish in a few minutes. Was there really someone working with the Snake inside this room now?

‘Don’t you think, Alexis?’ I looked up to see the four women staring at me.

‘Sorry?’

‘I was just saying it seems very unfair they try and make us feel guilty for wanting to be normal. It doesn’t matter how important their job is; why don’t they understand keeping us happy is important too?’ asked Kate.

‘Yes, the way Ronald made me feel for complaining when he got called away to Birmingham on Tuesday, it was as if he’d forgotten all about the times I’ve just accepted the last-minute nights away without comment,’ added Naomi.

They really were taking this initiative to heart. And I was meant to provide the answers.

‘Well . . . You all make good points. I think, speaking from the inside, our work is so all-consuming it can be difficult to remember to give home life the respect it deserves.’

It was advice I could myself follow.

‘Right, well, we’re actually out of time now. And this has been just great. I’m looking forward to us all catching up again the day after tomorrow,’ I looked down at my notes, ‘at Kate’s house. Thank you for offering, Kate.’