reloaded, fired again. The third shot succeeded. He turned to Pirrie.

'Now...' he began.

But Pirrie was gone. John thought he saw his body, several yards downstream, but it was difficult to be sure.

He looked back to the more important concern - the fence. Figures were swarming across the top, and one already had hold of the machine-gun, tilting it downwards.

He saw the remaining defenders throw their guns away and then, chilled and utterly tired, began looking for the best place to get in to the bank.