Prideaux tries to treat his wound. He still has two bullets lodged in his shoulder from the failure of Operation Testify. He treats the wound with vodka, while also drinking from the bottle to numb the pain. After grading papers, he takes a walk through the grounds of the school. First, he visits the church and sits on a pew. He has a gun hidden safely in the church in case of emergencies. Roach tells him that a man has been asking after him. Prideaux is worried; he quizzes Roach for more information, but Roach struggles to provide any answers. Later that evening, Prideaux talks to the schoolboys about a rugby match. In the distance, he sees Smiley arrive in a car. Though his first thought is to take the gun from the church, Prideaux returns to his caravan. 

Smiley talks to Prideaux in a cheap motel room. He begins by revealing to Prideaux that Control is dead and that the aftermath of Operation Testify resulted in Smiley being fired from the Circus, with Alleline now in charge. Smiley provides details on how Operation Testify failed, which involve the local agents having their identities blown.