I shiver as the night air hits me and realise it’s past dawn and achingly bright out. I have no concept of time, and the noises of early morning and crisp air slap me to my senses.

Alexi strays behind me at a distance, still quiet and sensible enough to leave me alone as I get in the car waiting for us—A black, sinister, mafia standard, four-by-four with a familiar driver from his club. I make sure I am in before he is and move across so he’s nowhere near me when he appears on ...