‘You’re . . . you’re . . . wearing a name label.’

‘Right.’ I released him. ‘Stop fucking catcalling women. We don’t like it. And some of us will enjoy showing you just how much.’ I made a jolt towards him. He ran.

I looked down at my lapel and tore off the label.

First and last time being harassed had actually been useful. The creep had at least stopped me from attending a covert meeting with a Chinese Embassy informant with my real name pinned to my breast.

Bloody name badges.

A hazard of my dual life.

*

Y was late. I walked up and down the underpass. I could see why it was a good meeting place. No one would be able to get close to us without making themselves known.

I leaned back against the wall and watched each person that walked past. In the distance I saw a Chinese man coming towards me. Was it Y? I waited until he got closer. Thin eyebrows. Mole on his right cheek. Identity confirmed. I waited for him to catch my eye. He was walking slowly, staring at the ground. He was in a suit with a navy duffle coat on top, a battered satchel slung over his shoulder. He was nearly next to me when he finally looked up. I gave him a small nod and started walking alongside him.

‘I talk. You listen,’ he said quietly. He looked straight ahead.

‘The Ambassador will meet Minister Peng at Heathrow VIP arrival suite. There they discuss the itinerary for her trip and any other upcoming business. You need to listen in. That is important meeting. Very important,’ he repeated. ‘No more contact with me again. Too dangerous now.’

‘But we need—’

‘Peng’s PA, Ling Ling. She records all meetings with her Dictaphone so can type up later. Dictaphone always in her bag. You get the Dictaphone you always know what’s been happening.’ We approached the beginning of the ramp leading back up onto the street. ‘That’s it. No more contact. No more.’ He kept walking as I stopped and turned round.

I needed to get back to the Platform. We had less than twenty-four hours until Peng and the delegation arrived into Heathrow, and we needed to find a way to bug their arrival suite.

*

‘Time for an update briefing,’ said Hattie as I walked into the meeting room. Hattie was in his position at the head of the dining table. Both Robin and Cameron were missing, presumably still out on their ops. ‘Jake, let’s start with you.’

‘Cameron is unhinged,’ said Jake. ‘She punched four hackers in the face this afternoon. One of them made the mistake of asking if she was on her period so he got punched twice.’

I didn’t often agree with Cameron but I thought that was fair enough.