It’s a relief when the door shuts behind us. We stand awkwardly in the small lobby, jammed in with our luggage, between a console table and a Neuladen chair.
Awkward.
Not touching.
Still caught up in the panic of departure.
Are we really away from the threat?
Rehm’s voice is dry, husky. ‘Well, here we are.’
We go into a sitting room which looks out across Marlyon to the airport. The navigation lights of an incoming aircraft make fuzzy, falling stars in the mist.
I want to slap him. Hurt him for all the hurt he left with me when he disappeared. My wish for revenge takes me by surprise. I breathe deeply, but the feeling’s still there – I do want to slap him. Hard.

‘I’m sorry, Leh,’ Rehm says.

‘Just that?’

‘No.’ He shudders. ‘Of course not.’

He steps to the window.

‘That day – before we were leaving – Jasrene called to say she had to see me. It was urgent. She met me at the metro in her car. Immaculate of course – dark grey coat, headscarf, wrap-around sunglasses. As perfect as an android. When I was in the passenger seat, the door lock clicked shut. She was silent, never even glanced at me before she zoomed into the traffic. In 20 minutes, we were on the southwest arterial heading for the coast – Maxim Dipley, Modenstone, Droon. Do you remember how we recited the names on the train? It made us laugh. Anyway, we turned at Swarding onto High Path. My head was pounding; I was scared. Jasrene hadn’t said a single word except to swear at a lorry that pulled out in front of her. The Spritz was travelling fast, but it held the road. Jedd’s Farm flashed past and then Windhovering. Suddenly, we swerved off the road and Jasrene braked parallel to the edge of the cliff and switched off the engine. A hand-width from catastrophe.

‘ “Get out,” she said.

‘She reached across and pushed the door open.

‘I stared at the tussocked edge running away in the headlights. The sea shone far below.

‘ “I have a dinner appointment at 8.30. I am never late.”

‘ “No.”

Bile filled my throat.

‘ “Surely you’re not afraid?” Her voice was steady. “You’ve spent enough time here.”

‘She flipped open the glove box. An envelope slid out.

‘ “Open it.”

‘There were photographs of you and me – picnics, swimming, naked on the beach immediately below where the car was parked.

‘ “There is an alternative,” Jasrene said. “You and Leh cannot be linked. It’s a question of business, not morality – I have no interests in whys and wherefores, only in because. So much is at stake – for Oramon and for the Bevendex. Leh has his role that must be fulfilled. The line must continue.” Now she turned to me. “There is too much at stake, Rehm.”

‘The wind sprang up and rocked the car. I thought I would be flung through the open door.

‘Jasrene leaned back. “ There is an alternative to falling for 3.73 seconds to the scene of your idyllic past: Oraman is about to take over Xerophon. I need them to complete their work on Fluon-G as quickly as possible so we can market it, but their insistence on following the rules is tiresome. Your research in the field is impressive. I’ll make you Head of Strategic Research with funds to develop your own laboratory for five years. But you must deliver.”

‘Everything was moving too quickly. What was she saying?

‘ “But.” But. A bullet. Blurred. Deadly. “No more Leh. Ever. Cancel your holiday. You’ll fly to Azixa tonight and start at Xerophon in the morning. You will not  contact Leh. Our agreement is private.”

‘The door wind tugged the door. It was cold. I could taste the salt in the air.

‘ “Either that or both of you will suffer.” ’

I’m numb, unable to move. ‘So,’ I say, ‘Everything we had, all the dreams, all the plans count for nothing?’

The glow of the city catches the edge of Rehm’s forehead. Slick. A shining wound.

‘It’s because I love you that I agreed. Don’t you see?’

I don’t. Why would he agree to her demand on the eve of our holiday? While I waited for him. Waited as the time to leave grew closer. Waited. And waited.

‘Jasrene drove me to the flat. My bag had been packed and there was a first-class ticket to Azixa.’

‘You shit!’ I shout. ‘Shit! Shit! Shit!’ I try to hit him. Hard.

‘Listen!’ Rehm reaches for my wrist, but catches my face instead.

The blow stops both of us. We cry. Separately at first and then clinging to one another.

Of course he loves me. I know that. Why else would he have called to tell me.

You will not try to contact Leh.

‘We have to leave tonight,’ he said. ‘Now. Change our tickets.’

You and Leh cannot be linked.

‘Why?’

‘Jasrene.’

The glacier speeds forward to crush me.