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‘Oh, a sabbatical, then?’

‘I was thinking of more like a special project.’

Blunt sat up straighter. ‘Oh. That sounds intriguing. Come on, then, impress me. What’s your pitch?’

‘Well, our newly crowned Queen will be visiting Malta. We know it’s a favourite place of hers.’

‘She used to live there when the Duke was stationed in Malta, am I right?’

Peter nodded. ‘These were very happy days for her, as I understand it.’

Blunt put his cup down on the saucer nearby. It was from the Dainty Blue design by Shelley, a distinctive and beautiful pair of lightweight pieces. ‘Wait, I can see where this is going. The Caravaggios, am I right? At last you’re going to get on with that damn book of yours.’

Peter demurred. ‘Well, I mean to. I will, sir. But first…’

‘Yes?’ the older man frowned, clearly waiting for Peter’s true reason for this meeting.

‘The thing is, as you know, Their Majesties are on a six-month Commonwealth tour to celebrate our Queen’s coronation.’

Blunt duly nodded.

‘As it turns out, Malta will be the penultimate stop before Gibraltar and then home. I gather Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip will be reunited with their children in Malta too.’

Blunt didn’t look at all sure about what he was expected to say but filled the silence. ‘I’m sure that will be lovely. But what’s our part in all this?’

So here was Peter’s moment. Say it well, say it with modesty but impress him. ‘I was thinking that we might like Her Majesty to see the Caravaggio in the oratory at St John’s Co-Cathedral there, sir. She’s probably doing a series of official duties, of course, and while this wouldn’t be formally scheduled – more of a whistlestop, if Her Majesty agrees – it might be a nice, cool, peaceful break from the inevitable crowds that will gather to catch a glimpse. And if our Queen is interested to see it, then I believe we’d need someone on the ground who can make it come alive for her. I doubt anyone in her party right now could do so.’

‘But you can?’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘What’s your angle here, Fox? Or perhaps I can guess. You’ve heard about the restoration?’

He grinned. ‘Yes, sir.’

‘But we can’t interfere, Fox. You know that.’

‘Maybe the right words, in the right ear, at the right time can ensure it’s all done with care… Perhaps my presence could be seen as a benevolence… I’d be on hand for help, if required, no interference. It would make a good chapter in the book, and I also think it would benefit Britain for us to be part of this royal journey, so we aren’t simply reporting on it from overseas.’ Peter shrugged, feeling self-conscious again, this time at his enthusiasm.

Blunt took a piece of shortbread and nibbled. ‘Do you know why they’re having this restoration done?’

‘Initially I thought it might be for the royal visit.’

The man shook his head. ‘There’s a big exhibition scheduled for Rome next year to run until nineteen fifty-six. They want The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist for that. There is also the aim to establish once and for all whether the artist’s signature is indeed present, and where.’ Blunt grinned conspiratorially. ‘The restoration will reveal it.’ He looked pleased with himself.

Peter was sure his eyes were shining at this news; he felt lit from within by a flame growing stronger. Blunt hadn’t said no yet – maybe there was hope. ‘The archives, I gather, claim there is a signature.’

‘Right,’ Blunt said. ‘But where is the documentation? So to summarise, you’d like me to send you to Valletta to meet with our Queen and show her the Caravaggio, while also ensuring you’re on the ground to possibly advise, if required, regarding the restoration efforts and attempts to locate the signature?’

‘That’s about the size of it, sir. I will not interfere. Valletta and Rome will be in deep conversation, no doubt, and that’s healthy given the betrayal the Maltese felt by the Italians during the war. But for us, I think there’s plenty to be achieved by just being an observer and helper, if required.’

Blunt nodded. ‘Well, you’ve never asked me for anything before, Fox. I’m quite surprised.’

‘The timing’s right, sir, and I won’t lie, my personal life would welcome the change of scenery. But I do feel it will aid my writing of the book, and there’s no other way to be present, should Her Majesty visit, than with official status.’

His superior nodded thoughtfully. ‘Well, I’m sure I can push that through. Helps that you’re a Cambridge man too, eh?’

‘Thank you, sir. I can’t think of anything that would bring me greater pleasure than to show off the Caravaggio to Her Majesty – it’s my favourite, you know. And maybe one day we might be able to host a similar exhibition in our country; it’d be nice to have Her Majesty’s approval to pursue such an exhibition – it would lend so much weight – and then royal attendance at such an exhibition would be brilliant.’