It was a terrible moral dilemma. Not only were we the only ones who knew where the terrorists were holding the hostage, but it was also within our means to save him. I had already written out the cheque for £5,500. All I needed to do now was wrap it round the bar of Green and Black chocolate, seal the envelope, and pop the package into the post. Our action would lead to the victim’s release (hurrah!), but the terrorists would still be at large – and have a fresh injection of funding from us. We hesitated.

Meanwhile I was keeping a separate secret from TPR. Since the heady days of dot.com boom I had been enjoying an illicit romantic relationship with one of his engineer colleagues. Although we had always known our boundaries, it was inevitable that soon we would give into temptation and cross them. Perhaps instead we should confess all to our partners?