When fifteen minutes had passed and Kit still hadn't returned, Tom went looking for her. To no avail. He dialed her number, but the robot politely informed him that the subscriber's device was switched off. Having searched the entire club up and down, he asked the guards if the girl with blue strands in her hair went out? Yes, she did. It didn't seem to go back.

Already beginning to seriously worry, Tom ran out into the street. You never know, in London, no matter what riff-raff rubs, she could get into an unpleasant story a stone's throw from the club. But there is no sign of Kitty on the...