They turned right past the sandstone church and wound their way through the village to a bumpy track that led past a coppice to the farmhouse, hidden in the fold of the valley and surrounded by its own vineyard.

Kate had barely removed the keys from the ignition when she noticed the dark Range Rover parked in the corner of the drive next to the swimming pool. A second vehicle stood under the trees. Both faced the exit. ‘Get into the house,’ she said to the others.

‘I’ll check—’

‘Take the children inside, Stuart.’

As Kate walked towards the Range Rover, the prime minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, James Ryan, and his cabinet secretary, Shirley Grove, climbed out.

‘Kate Henderson, as I live and breathe,’ the PM said. He’d put on weight again and looked older. His cheeks were puffed and saggy. His hands were thrust deep into his pockets and he wore a curious half-smirk, like a schoolboy caught stealing from the local sweet shop. It was his political stock-in-trade.

‘Good evening, Mrs Henderson,’ Grove said.

‘What are you doing here?’

‘Good question,’ the PM said. ‘On the money, as always. Can we talk somewhere? Can’t be overheard by your husband, I’m afraid.’

‘No. We can’t. I’d be grateful if you could leave.’

‘We’ve come a long way, Kate.’

‘I don’t care how far you’ve come. I’ve retired. Mrs Grove can vouch for that.’

‘Indeed she can. But events have a habit of upsetting the best-laid plans, as you very well know.’

‘That’s not my problem any more.’

‘I’m afraid what we have to tell you may encourage you to change your mind.’

‘I don’t want to hear it.’ Kate began to turn away, in no doubt that she really, really didn’t. Not this time.

‘You have no choice because not to listen to what we came here to say could prove injurious to both you and your family.’ The prime minister gave a barely discernible nod towards the house.

‘Is that a threat?’

‘A fact, I’m sorry to say.’

‘Was it your people following me this lunchtime?’

‘An army surveillance team. We just needed to know you didn’t have any troublesome company.’

‘Why the army?’

‘It’ll make sense if you let me explain.’

‘Just hear us out, Mrs Henderson,’ Grove said. A thumbnail scratching at the sleeve of a woollen cardigan gave the lie to her calm, even impassive demeanour.

‘Wait a minute,’ Kate said. She went into the house where Stuart and the children sat anxiously around the kitchen table.

‘What is it?’ Stuart asked. ‘What did they want?’ He wasn’t doing a good job of hiding his nerves.

‘I’ve got to hear what he has to ask. Probably just something from the old days they need help or advice on. I’ll be back inside half an hour. Don’t wait up for me.’

‘You said you wouldn’t do this any more,’ Fiona said. ‘You promised it was over.’ She stood and backed towards the cooker, as if preparing for a confrontation.