‘What is it you think I’ve done?’ I asked, and he leant over to light my cigarette with a gentleness that didn’t sit with his big hands and scarred features. He didn’t reply so I ploughed on with the performance, looking vexed, making big gestures, trying to seem frightfully befuddled by it all. ‘Is that meant to be me? And you mentioned Mr Renwick? I think I know the name but, well, he’s not the kind of friend you keep if you’re after advancement …’

He ignored me. He had a look that said he’d heard every kind of excuse, plea and mitigation known to man. He looked dog-tired, suddenly. Looked as if he’d really had enough.

‘Where’s he got them?’ he asked, quietly. ‘What is it he even wants?’

‘Where’s he got who?’ I asked, genuine in my confusion. ‘I’m just going north for a few days …’

I stopped. Thought of Felicity. Thought of the way Walt had sounded so damn sure of himself. He’d already been on his way to Gilsland. He had somebody with him that he wanted me to meet. I experienced a sudden surge of fear. Could I have sent her into danger? Could I have got my friend embroiled in something that I had no way of getting either of us out of?

Damn you, Walt, I thought, grinding my teeth. What have you dragged me into?

‘Suspects,’ I said, repeating his word. ‘What am I suspected of?’

‘Of involvement with a known Communist sympathizer,’ he said, with a note of apology. ‘A politician’s wife. Minister for Foreign Affairs at that. Walt must have thought he’d stolen the crown jewels when he brought you into it.’

My patience snapped. ‘Into what? Sure, I answered a call and it turned out to be an old friend and I called back to arrange a drink and a chinwag. As for anything else, I’ve done nothing improper. Ask Mr Talbot – I was in his office today, alerting him to some useful intelligence that I felt it was our duty to follow up. Really, I don’t know what you think is happening but I’m completely in the dark.’