‘He’s never said anything. Just helps me with my phone and social media stuff.’

‘He’s shy. You’ll have to help him.’

She pondered that for a moment. ‘I like him,’ she said. ‘You can tell him that from me. So is it ring doughnuts again? He’s been buying the jam ones.’

‘Two jam ones it is then, and two coffees, mine is—’

Maria cut him off, ‘I know, extra strong.’

As McNab made his way to IT, he considered the possible pairing he was taking a hand in managing.

‘If only I was as successful in managing my own love life,’ he muttered to himself.

He hadn’t been in touch with Ellie yet regarding Harry, and was saving it up for when they both got home later. If, however, Ellie took it upon herself to check her flat before then . . .

McNab had the horrible feeling that’s exactly what Ellie might choose to do.

Ollie didn’t catch his approach until the scent of the coffee reached his nostrils. McNab was glad to note that Ollie looked more welcoming than earlier.

Maybe he’d found something.

McNab set down the doughnuts and told Ollie the news on the Maria front.

‘She said that?’ Ollie’s big-eyed look got even bigger.

‘Tell him I said I like him,’ McNab repeated for maximum impact. ‘She also says she likes going to the Grosvenor cinema in Ashton Lane. I think she wants you to take her there.’

Ollie’s delight at this was a pleasure to behold.

‘But be careful which picture you take her to see,’ McNab said, suddenly envisaging a horror or, even worse, a Japanese cartoon. ‘Probably better to check what she likes first.’

Listen to me, giving out the dating advice.

‘So,’ McNab said. ‘Any luck, apart from a date with the delicious Maria?’

‘The number you gave me is, or could be, a service number. It fits the pattern.’ At this point Ollie went off into a ramble about service numbers before, during and after both world wars, and how they weren’t consistent.

‘This is post those wars, I take it?’ McNab interrupted him.

Ollie nodded. ‘Yes, when the numbering became more consistent.’

‘The boss says he’ll make sure you have permission to access the records of serving personnel,’ McNab promptly told him.

‘Well, I haven’t as yet,’ Ollie said, apologetically.

‘Bugger it,’ McNab muttered under his breath. ‘What about the CCTV footage?’

‘That, I do have,’ Ollie said. ‘Want to see it?’

McNab cast him a look that suggested that was exactly the reason he was here.

A few minutes later he was viewing the exit next to the discharge lounge where three taxis stood in a row. Checking the time clock above, he noted that it was this morning, just before nine o’clock.