See Charlie Run

Prologue

‘A defection!’ Her astonishment was complete.

‘I can’t go on like this,’ he said.

‘I just didn’t expect a defection.’

‘It will be difficult. But I can do it.’

‘What about the danger?’ Her surprise became worry now.

‘It would be worth it.’

‘There’s no other way?’

He shook his head. ‘Not that would work completely.’

‘I’m scared,’ she admitted.

‘There won’t be any risk to you,’ he promised.

‘Scared for you, I meant.’

‘I said I could do it.’

‘We’d lose everything, with just one mistake.’

‘I’ll be very careful.’

She lay very quietly beside him in the bed, her body still wet from their lovemaking, head cradled against his chest. When she didn’t speak for a long time, he said: ‘Well?’

‘You know I’ll do anything you want.’

‘I’ll need your help,’ he said.

‘I said I’d do anything.’

‘But there’ll be no risk,’ he promised again.

She moved her head against his chest, a dismissive gesture at the reassurance. ‘I love you so much,’ she said.

‘And I love you,’ he said.

‘It will be worth it, won’t it?’ she said, in growing conviction.

‘Worth everything,’ he said.