He was so proud to have them in his home away from that bastard Alastair and Rebecca. He wondered for a moment what his daughters’ reaction would be when they discovered she would be convicted and locked up. He hoped they could get over it, given time, and learn to accept him as their father. He did have one thing over Alastair though – he loved his girls with all his heart.

***

Neil and Shamus drove back to their rented flat in London. Shamus was quiet in contemplation. Neil was bursting with pride and was so satisfied that after all the years of searching for Zara, not only had she been discovered alive, but she’d overcome her adversity so forthrightly, despite the loss of a limb. Business partners they may be, but it was so much more than that – it came down to trust and faith. The day they’d first met and vowed to trust each other was the day he knew in his heart that come what may he would always have her back.

‘What a woman, eh, Shamus? What a fecking woman!’

Shamus nodded; he was exhausted, but the last few hours had built up his adrenaline, and he was now wired as if he’d been on cocaine all night. ‘One fecking classy woman, that she is!’

Neil chuckled. ‘And there was me thinking I would shut her in the ladies’, so she wouldn’t get hurt. Ha, I should’ve known she’d climb out of that window and let rip. See, Shamus, I think that’s where people go wrong with Zara. They assume she’s just this refined woman who’s playing at being a gangster, when, really, she’s the fecking teacher on how things should be done . . . and, as you say, she does it with class.’

Shamus was suddenly quiet.

‘What’s up, mate?’ asked Neil.

‘I dunno. That Torvic and his granddaughter may be locked up behind the hangar, but what if . . . ?’

Neil waited for him to continue, but Shamus only laughed. ‘Oh, no matter. I just think after tonight, I need to sleep. My mind’s running away with me.’

‘Tell me, what’s bothering you?’

‘Okay, what if Zara has underestimated Torvic? What if this Barak fella isn’t in Poland and is here now and watching us? Yer know, like being one step ahead of the game?’

Neil sighed. ‘Yeah, Shamus, you’re right. You do need to get some sleep.’

***

Zara waited until nearly everyone had left and the hostages were secured. She sat in the small kitchenette area on a stool while the men cleaned up.