‘I want to write a story about the Chancellor meeting Schon and dumping the pensions raid straight afterwards.’

‘You’re not going to mention me, are you?’

‘I’ll protect you completely,’ I assure him. ‘But’ – I hear an intake of breath down the line – ‘I need to know: in the event, the unlikely event, that someone sued us over it, would you be prepared to give evidence? If we subpoenaed you?’

‘A subpoena?’ His voice goes up almost an octave. ‘Why would anyone sue?’

This is not the time to tutor him on how the rich can abuse British libel law to suppress the truth and keep their dirty secrets, or the distinction between a story that is true and one that is deniable.

‘I really don’t think it will come to that. But our lawyers are going to insist on knowing whether our sources would stand by us if – and it’s only an “if” – it gets messy.’

I’m on tenterhooks and twiddle the phone cord with my index finger. If Jeremy won’t promise to stand by us in court, I am stuffed.

‘Please don’t ask me to do that, Gil. It would kill my career.’

‘But if Clare called out the Chancellor, shouldn’t you?’

It’s a low blow, bringing Clare into it. I feel cheapened, and then worse when I hear a whimper.

‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked. I know it’s a lot to take in. Let’s chat about it later.’

I hang up and my landline starts to ring. This is getting ridiculous, I think – and that’s before I hear the editor’s stentorian tones. It’s amazing how everyone who matters wants to speak to me today.

‘I heard you were in the building. Have you got a minute?’

In between being roughed up by Breitner’s sidekicks and having my source wimp out on me? ‘For you, John, always.’

‘We haven’t really spoken since you came back to work. How are you feeling?’

‘Fine, thanks. It’s good to be back.’

‘Everyone’s impressed by how you’ve got back on the bicycle. It can’t be easy.’

A pause. I think I’m expected to say something, so I make a sort of non-specific grunt.

‘You must be feeling pretty emotional about Clare.’ This is not a question. ‘We all understand. But I hear you’re still working on that pensions story we discussed.’

‘I had a feeling that might be why you called.’

‘Now listen, Gil. Charging around trying to prove there’s some kind of terrible conspiracy behind a routine government decision is a waste of your time. And a waste of the newspaper’s time.’

‘I’m just doing what I always do, which is following my instincts. There’s an important story here, I’m sure of it.’

‘Well, I’m sure you’re wrong. You’re barking up the wrong tree.’

‘How do you know?’