‘What are you doing?’ asked Clemmy.

‘Er, re-packing Lucinda’s birthday present,’ said Mrs Mac, wiping a smudge of chocolate from her mouth.

Clemmy gasped. ‘You’re not getting a gun?’

Mrs Mac tut-tutted. ‘Of course not. Far too dangerous to have guns at home, dear.’

‘A knife?’ asked Clemmy.

‘Clementine Bird, what kind of person do you think I am?’

‘A retired British spy?’ replied Clemmy.

‘Yes, but I was a dignified spy. I didn’t go around stabbing and shooting people.’

‘There,’ she stood up, satisfied with her task. ‘Look’s like a new packet, don’t you think?’

Clemmy wanted to ask Mrs Mac how she protected herself, but she was more worried about the fact that someone was now knocking loudly on the front door.

‘It’s her,’ whispered Clementine.

‘Don’t be silly, Clementine. It can’t be the Commonov girl. It’s probably the postman. It is my birthday soon, you know. I am expecting a few cakes. There is a very tasty Hungarian torte that a friend in Budapest is sending me.’

Hench pushed harder, and harder, and harder, and finally the cover gave way and fell inwards, revealing a black hole and dusty cobwebs in the ceiling space.

‘Stick your head up there Hench.’

‘What if zere are spiders, Miss Natasha?’

‘Then they will bite you on the nose and your nose will go black and drop off. JUST DO IT!’

‘Da, Miss Natasha.’ Closing his eyes tightly, Hench stuck his head into the space.

‘Can you see anything?’ asked Natasha.

‘No.’

‘Nothing at all?’

‘Not with my eyes closed.’

Natasha was incensed. ‘Hench, do you want me to arrange a tragic accident for you?’

‘No, Miss Natasha.’

‘Then open your eyes and look for zat shirt.’

A moment later, Hench was back down off the chair.

‘Well?’ asked Natasha impatiently.

A smile tugged at Natasha’s well-glossed lips. The perfect plan was forming.

Of course, it was quite an evil plan and some people might get hurt as a result, but that didn’t worry her. That mobile phone was part of her plot to get her father out of prison. It was vital that she got it back immediately. Time was of the essence.

Opening her handbag, Natasha took out a small black container. Inside was a variety of small objects. Now, which one would do the job?

After due consideration, Natasha selected something.

‘Perfect,’ she said quietly.