‘I know you will. You don’t have to convince me. I don’t doubt it.’ He quietens too, sombre toned, and his eyes flicker to our feet for a moment. A show of submission from him is scarce. ‘I don’t want you to go.’ It’s almost inaudible, he says it so quietly.

‘Then don’t mess with my head or try to make this more than it is; Business—it’s all we are, and it’s the only way this works.’ I lift my chin with one final swift sniff and stubborn is plastered back on ...