‘Well, not quite so impressive, but a good start. But it won’t come to that.’
‘How do you know?’
‘Team Two-Three-Six is currently flavour of the month. That’ll change, of course. Probably by this time tomorrow.’ He closed his eyes, suddenly looking very tired. ‘They’ll offset our achievements against Matthew’s transgressions and everything will carry on as normal.’ His voice died away. ‘Trust me, Jane . . .’
41
Major Ellis had requested an interview with Commander Hay. ‘I’m worried they’ll leave us, ma’am.’
‘So am I. I’m seeing them on Friday afternoon. I’d like you to be here, obviously, Major.’
‘And the purpose of the interview, ma’am?’
‘To ensure everyone gets what they want without loss of face.’
Luke had taken one look at the Time Police-provided sling for his arm and rejected it with rude words.
‘What’s the matter with it?’ had said a medtec, loyal to his equipment.
‘It’s salmon pink.’
‘It’s flesh-coloured.’
‘What the hell colour is your flesh?’
‘We have five other colours – this was closest to the Parrish complexion.’
‘No,’ said Luke firmly. ‘Forget it – I’ll get my own.’ By which he meant he’d scrounge a silk scarf from Jane’s newly extended wardrobe, recently recovered from his flat. He was now appearing around the building sporting a dashing and very non-regulation black-and-white spotted sling.
They filed into Commander Hay’s office. She regarded the three of them in silence, eventually saying, ‘I still haven’t received your D12s.’
‘We’ve been busy,’ said Luke.
‘Nevertheless, you are, apparently without effort, again managing to interfere with the smooth running of the Time Police.’
‘Are we really?’ said Luke, enjoying that deceptive sense of immunity frequently engendered by a recent near-death ex-perience. ‘Yay, us.’
Ellis stirred. ‘Parrish, shut up.’
‘And so,’ she continued, ‘because time is now short, I felt it would be easier for you to register your preferences verbally. Parrish – you go first.’
Parrish was silent.
She sighed. ‘While we wait for Trainee Parrish to assemble his words, shall we pass on to Lockland.’
Jane went scarlet. ‘Um . . .’
‘Oh, for God’s sake,’ said Bolshy Jane. ‘We’re not back to this, are we?’
Jane closed her eyes and spoke. ‘We’ve been discussing this, ma’am, and we’d like to stay together.’
Commander Hay blinked. ‘Why? If you think this is because no one else will have you, then I can assure you this is very much not the case. I’ve had several expressions of interest.’
‘We’d like to stay together,’ said Jane again.
‘I’m not sure you’ve quite grasped how this works, Lockland.’
‘We want to stay as a team,’ said Luke, cutting to the heart of the matter. He added pointedly, ‘The three of us.’
She sat back in her chair. Captain Farenden, not yet fit enough to return to duty, had sent a message on ahead and Major Ellis had prudently placed her paper knife out of reach.
‘Do I need to point out that Farrell is on suspension?’
‘Well, when he comes off suspension, obviously.’
‘If he comes off suspension. That is by no means certain.’
‘Then, with regret, Commander, Trainee Lockland and I must tender our resignations.’
‘Indeed?’
He assumed a woebegone expression. ‘Ma’am, I’ve only been here eight months and I’m two fingers down already. Extrapolating forwards, there is a very good chance there won’t be anything left of me after two years.’
‘Well, speaking for Major Ellis and myself, let’s hope your attitude is the first thing to go.’
‘I highly doubt that, ma’am. I rather think that will be the last thing to disappear. Like the Cheshire Cat.’
‘I beg your pardon?’
‘His grin, ma’am. He would slowly fade away until only his grin was left.’
‘Shut up, Parrish,’ said Ellis.
Baulked of her paper knife, Hay slapped her desk. ‘Resigning from the Time Police is no longer an option for you. You’ve long passed the training period.’
‘True, ma’am, but we haven’t yet graduated. Officially we’re still trainees and can leave at any time.’
‘You and Lockland are up for a commendation.’
Even Parrish dared not utter the words We can pick it up along with our discharge papers but they hung in the air nevertheless.
‘So, you think you can force my hand, do you?’
Silence.
Matthew stepped forwards. ‘Ma’am. The fault here is mine and I apologise.’
The Gates of Wrath swung open again.
‘You went over my head.’
‘Yes, ma’am.’
‘To those morons at St Mary’s.’
Luke’s instructions had been for Matthew to agree to everything. ‘She knows they’d never have got near Site X if you hadn’t forced the issue. Not in time to pull us out, anyway. They owe us and they know it.’
‘But don’t mention that,’ had said Jane. ‘Just agree to everything and say as little as possible.’
‘Not a problem for you,’ said Luke.
Obeying his instructions to the letter, Matthew said again, ‘Yes, ma’am.’
‘They – St Mary’s – could easily – very easily – have ruined everything. In fact, I’m astonished they didn’t.’
‘Yes, ma’am.’
‘You could have placed your colleagues in the gravest danger.’
‘Yes, ma’am.’
‘Do you have nothing to say to defend yourself?’
‘No, ma’am.’
Major Ellis stared at his feet.
She swung back to Luke and Jane. ‘And Farrell’s reinstatement is the price I must pay to keep you two?’