And the Rest Is History(47)

‘Isn’t this the dining room?’

He sighed. ‘You know what I’m going to say, don’t you?’

‘I’m going to be making a spectacle of myself?’

His telephone rang and he picked it up. ‘Yes, I’ll tell her.’ He looked at me. ‘Dr Bairstow would like to see you in his office. It would seem the Time Police are here.’

This was not shaping up to be a good day.



It was a full senior officer meeting. Dr Bairstow sat at the head of his briefing table. Commander Hay on his right. On her right was her adjutant, Captain Farenden. Guthrie, still in Time Police gear, sat on the Boss’s left, with Leon next to him. I sat opposite Leon with Captain Ellis on my other side and Markham beyond him. Peterson’s place was empty. Mrs Partridge sat behind Dr Bairstow, scratchpad in hand. Dottle sat in her traditional place at the foot of the table. This looked serious. I felt a twist of unease, but Matthew was safely – if that word can be used to describe someone in Professor Rapson’s care – ensconced in R&D, doing heaven knows what.

The rain hammered on the windows again. This was turning out to be a shit spring.

‘Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for coming. I think we all know each other here, so, Commander Hay, if would you like to begin.’

‘Thank you, Director.’ She looked around the table. ‘We have, I’m afraid, been unable to locate and apprehend the renegade, Clive Ronan. I am now, therefore, designating this top priority. We are putting together a task force whose sole function will be his capture. This will be a long-term initiative. We simply cannot allow Clive Ronan to continue murdering his way through the timeline. Since we cannot spare as many people as I would like, we are calling on St Mary’s, present and future, for volunteers. Director Pinkerton has released four historians to us and only regrets that she cannot spare more. Before you call for volunteers, however, I should warn you now that I have no idea how long this operation will take. We will not stop until we find him, but it could be some considerable time.’

Dr Bairstow said, ‘I too, will not be able to release as many people as I suspect will want to volunteer. You will appreciate that after recent events, I cannot leave St Mary’s unguarded. However, I shall hold an all-staff meeting first thing tomorrow morning and anyone who wishes to volunteer will be considered. Department heads will report to me this time tomorrow to discuss whom we can spare.’

Guthrie spoke. ‘I’ll go.’

From the corner of my eye, I saw Markham’s shoulders slump. If Guthrie went, then he couldn’t.

Leon said, ‘I volunteer.’

Dr Bairstow nodded. ‘I thought you might. Thank you.’

I said, ‘Me too,’ and from the way no one looked at me I knew what they were thinking. Leon had already been accepted. We couldn’t both go. Leon was a soldier. He’d led the rebellion against the Time Police. If I forced a choice, then they would choose Leon. Of course they would. I would choose Leon. No matter how desperately I wanted to go – and I did desperately want to go – I couldn’t. Shouldn’t. I had to remain at St Mary’s and hone my mothering skills.

Still no one was looking at me. No one would say it. I shouldn’t make them.

‘I withdraw my application, sir.’

He nodded. ‘A wise decision, Max.’

I wasn’t the only one not allowed to go. Clerk and Prentiss were both denied. As were all of the Security Section, but Dr Bairstow let them down gently.

‘I thank you for your willingness to volunteer. However, this mission has no end date. I cannot do without two senior historians or the entire Security Section for however long it takes to bring in Clive Ronan. My refusal to accept your generous offer is based on the fact that you are, all of you, too valuable to be absent from St Mary’s for so long. We must continue to function as normal or Ronan has won without even lifting a finger. If it in any way mitigates your disappointment, I would like to pass on my grateful thanks for your offer.’

So in the end, it was just Leon, Guthrie, and Grey. Again.

‘The ones not making any sort of valuable contribution,’ I said to Leon.

‘That’s us,’ he said cheerfully. ‘Always surplus to requirements.’

I felt a sudden wave of desolation wash over me. No matter how cheerful a face we were putting on things, the future was not looking good. I tried again.

‘Leon, it makes so much more sense for me to go. You’re the one who has the connection with Matthew. Let me go in your stead.’

He stopped packing up his gear, pulled me down to sit on the bed beside him and took my hands.

‘No. It has to be me. You know that. They don’t want me just for my military abilities – considerable though they are,’ he added modestly. ‘I’m going as Chief Technical Officer. It’s my job to keep the pods going. We can’t afford to keep returning for routine maintenance, so it’s going to have to be done on the hoof. That’s why I have to go. And if I go, you can’t. Markham has accepted it. You must too.’

I nodded drearily.

‘I’m sorry, I don’t have much comfort to offer. I don’t even know how long we’ll be gone, but I will try and get back to see you whenever I can.’

I nodded again. We both knew that wouldn’t happen often. If at all.