They climbed the steps to the gallery and joined a small queue. A man was checking tickets and guiding people in past heavy security. Two guards were frisking every guest and leading them through a metal detector for good measure.

‘You can’t be too careful these days,’ Sean said.

They strolled along a corridor and into a wing with restricted access. Another pair of suits, well muscled, a flash of a shoulder holster under one man’s jacket.

‘Howya doin’, Sean?’ one of the men said in a heavy American accent. He shook his head. ‘Them Patriots not doing so well, right?’

‘You got me there, Frank,’ Sean said as they walked past. ‘Maybe next season.’

‘You didn’t tell me this was work.’ Silva understood now: she was eye candy for Sean at some embassy function. ‘And to be honest I wouldn’t have come if you had.’

‘There you go, then. But I promise the experience will be worth it. Come on.’ Sean took her arm and guided her across the room to where a rotund man was selecting nibbles from a table. He was eyeing a cocktail sausage with suspicion as they approached.

‘Sean.’ The man popped the sausage in his mouth and barely chewed before swallowing. Like the security detail he was American. He wore an expensive dark suit, but over his large frame the tailoring was wasted. Heavy jowls sagged with flesh and his neck was almost non-existent, while a bushy crop of curly brown hair added to the impression of size. ‘Hell, where are my manners? And in front of a beautiful woman too. Who’s your delightful partner, young man?’

‘Mr Deputy Ambassador,’ Sean said. ‘This is my friend Rebecca.’

‘Friend?’ The deputy ambassador shook his head and extended his hand. ‘Well, if you say so.’

‘Hello, Mr Ambassador,’ Rebecca said, feeling awkward.

‘It’s Greg. Greg Mavers. And I’m not the ambassador quite yet.’ Mavers gave a wink to Sean. ‘Now tell me, young lady, just what is it you do?’

‘She’s ex-military, sir,’ Sean said. ‘Served in Afghanistan.’

‘A privilege, Rebecca,’ Mavers said. ‘You know, the way things have turned out, the vets just don’t get the appreciation they deserve.’

‘Tell me about it,’ Silva said.

‘Sorry?’

‘Rebecca was hard done by, sir,’ Sean said. ‘Like a lot of soldiers were.’

‘Beats me why anyone joins the army in the first place. The problem is…’ Mavers shook his head and his voice trailed off as a smattering of applause echoed off the ceiling. ‘Damn. My apologies, I’ve got to go or I’ll miss my cue.’