He checks himself. There are certain things he has had to put to one side for now. His debts, Veronica, the baby, the Dalek and, above all, the unnerving sighting of a remnant of his past walking along the pavement last night. This is the time for focus. The battlelines have been drawn. The only possible course of action is to strike first. Which is not without risk. He must make his move with skill and delicacy. There are various ways Ratner could retaliate. He, Cullen, has been up most of the night anticipating them. But now, this morning, his focus must be wholly on his professional survival. And that requires outmanoeuvring Mark Ratner.

For the moment, at least, he has time on his side. And knowledge. So far as he knows, Ratner is not yet aware of Cullen’s various difficulties. Still, he will need to put his case in such a way as to make it undeniable. So long as he plays his cards right, turns on the charm, promises to be a good boy, he thinks Maddy will come round and stay loyal.

She has made time for him in her busy schedule which is a good sign. And she’s making him eat shit by keeping him waiting and this, too, is, in its way, a cause for optimism. He turns his attentions back to his phone, but it’s no good, he can’t focus. Oh, for that drink and a long sleep! He sits and watches his leg jiggling nervously. For God’s sake calm down. Closes his eyes and lets Maddy’s voice wash over him as she speaks on the phone, until he is suddenly alerted by a name.

Maddy is talking about Nevis Smith. In an instant, he’s tuned in, his body poised and leaning towards the desk in order not to miss a word.

‘As I said, Mrs Smith, it sounds remarkably like you’re trying to threaten me and I don’t appreciate it. If there were a “contagion” as you call it, I can assure you I would be the first to know. But there is no such thing happening now or likely to happen in future and I must inform you that if you continue down this path, the university authorities will feel duty-bound to question whether Nevis is a suitable student for Avon, notwithstanding her grades. None of us wants that, do we?’

Maddy rolls her eyes and placing a hand over the mouthpiece of the phone mouths the words, I’m sorry.

Sorry not sorry.

Cullen waits, braced now for bad news, as Maddy continues, ‘I’ve no idea what prompted this archaeological escapade, but we do not deal in ancient history.’