There were panicked cries as people underneath the falling banner rushed out of its way. It landed with a crash on the floor.

I heard Robin in my ear. ‘The door is clear.’ The security that had been standing guard outside the library had no doubt come charging in.

‘Go now, Frederick.’

There were two beats and then, ‘I’m in.’

I watched as security helped the museum staff pick up the banner and move it away. The museum director took to the microphone and was reassuring the crowd with, ‘I promise no other works of art will try to kill you.’ There were titters but I noticed everyone was moving more to the centre of the room just in case. The two men who had rushed in at the sound of my scream and the crash of the banner hitting the ground talked to their three colleagues. They were all scanning the room.

‘I have the control box,’ said Frederick. The small box concealed within the Etch A Sketch could be swiftly pulled out and discreetly hidden inside a pocket.

I moved towards the door. We needed to make a fast exit.

Through the earpiece I heard, ‘Sir, what are you doing in here?’

Dammit. There must have been extra security we either missed, or they’d been called in for the disturbance.

‘I was just making a phone call.’

‘You didn’t see the “no entry” sign?’

‘What? No, sorry, I didn’t. Look, I’m going, OK. Excuse me. Please move.’

‘We’re going to have to search you, sir.’

I walked quickly across the corridor and shoved open the door to the Marine Invertebrates room. It slammed hard against the wall. The three men turned to look at me.

I stared at Frederick. ‘There you are! What the hell are you playing at?

‘I . . . I . . .’

‘Finding a little place to sneak off to call her? Give me your phone right now. If I find you’ve been talking to that slag again, I swear to God I’m leaving you and taking you for everything you’ve got.’

‘Now calm down, sweetheart.’

‘Don’t you dare tell me to calm down. You give me your phone right now.’

‘Can we talk about this at home?’

‘What? I’m making a scene, am I? Embarrassing you in front of your new friends? Well, you should’ve thought about that before you started fucking around.’

‘Can you both please leave this area?’ said the taller of the two men.

I turned to him. ‘I’m leaving this area. And I’m leaving him. You hear that? I’m leaving you, you piece of shit.’ I turned and stalked out.

Frederick followed behind me. ‘Darling, please let’s talk about this.’

‘Don’t you bloody touch me.’

I sped ahead fast.

Frederick was right behind me and headed for the exit. ‘We’re exiting now. Control box is secure. Confirm no one following.’