‘I don’t know that. I do know that you’re not a quitter.’

‘Forget it, Ben. I’ve made up my mind.’ There was a moment’s silence as the Prime Minister scrutinised Thomas’s face. ‘I was hoping to announce my departure date in March, give the party time to hold an election. But I can’t now. The party has made it clear. Hogarth has made it clear. She’ll withdraw from the coalition if I remain and we can’t survive as a minority government. And we can’t afford a general election either. No, I need to go in the next twenty-four hours. And it means you stepping up as acting PM.’

Outside the window, the band of the Horse Guards struck up a jaunty sea-shanty tune.

The PM continued: ‘We’re releasing a press statement at eleven tomorrow morning followed by a presser outside. Then I’m at Buckingham Palace at 11.45, then on the phone to Pickfords to book a removals van.’

‘Where are you going to live? The Sussex place?’

‘For the time being. Let the dust settle and work out what to do. A job in finance is probably out of the question now. The wife wants to travel.’

Thomas laughed. The Prime Minister continued. ‘And the leadership campaign that will follow. You ready to win it?’

‘Is it me, then? Are you sure?’ said Thomas.

‘Of course. We’ve had our moments in the last few years, but it’s always been you.’

‘I’m not sure I want it,’ said Thomas.

‘And that’s how it should be. If you want it unquestioningly, without doubts, without anxiety, you’re not fit for the job. Every day you’ve got to look in the mirror and ask yourself why you’re doing it. The day that you don’t ask that question is the day to step down.

‘One thing. Hogarth. Watch her, keep her at a distance. We’re three years away from an election and we need clear blue water between us and the People’s Party. Shelve the Freedom Bill, or water it down.’

Thomas said nothing.

The Prime Minister moved to the drinks cabinet. ‘Ben, I have one favour to ask. We need someone to bring the country together. Find a way. These are crazy times – we’ve never had as much civil unrest and we’ve never had so many leaders fuelling the violence, turning neighbour against neighbour. You know who I mean. The Shadow Home Secretary. Ishmail Sherif. Lesley Hogarth.’ The PM poured from a bottle. ‘I’ve been saving something special for a moment like this.’ He handed Thomas a glass of single malt. ‘To the future.’

And drawing on every reserve, every ounce of self-control, Thomas continued to look sombre in front of his old, and closest, friend.

#

Stonebridge, North West London

There was no parking in the street outside the flat and Saleem had to make two trips around the block looking for a space. Eventually, he pulled into a gap in front of a garage emblazoned with a No Parking sign, five houses from their destination.