“There were some people in the Noughts,” says Albany, “who tried to cut the ‘God spot’ out of the brain. Mexico icepick lobotomies, you know.”

“I’m guessing they cut out a lot more,” shudders Westwood.

“Well, to all appearances, yeah. But I’m not convinced they missed. I think whatever hardwires us to search for the divine has other purposes. The whole drive gives us some evolutionary advantage.”

“What, like altruism? Individuals sacrificing for the species?”

“Hardly,” Albany says. “We’re apes. You know what most apes are?”

“No,” says Westwood.

“Apex predators,” says Albany, and pops the host wafer into her mouth.