‘It is on the record that my party places huge importance on environmental issues and has a profound distrust of matters nuclear.’
The House sensed that things were going to get interesting.
‘The Stratford nuclear disaster will haunt us for generations to come and its occurrence is political dynamite. Its consequences will be felt by every individual in this country. A lesser Government might have tried to spin its way out of the quagmire. Instead, this Government has come here today with a rational, inclusive and cohesive plan, which I believe will provide the foundations for this country to prosper again and will bring environmental and sustainability issues to the centre of our culture.’
‘I look forward to meeting with the Prime Minister later today and again tomorrow morning. I shall come back to the House and report more fully on these discussions and will raise such questions that I believe require answering.’ He paused and in a sombre tone added, ‘I, too, wish to pay my respects to all those who have suffered and to convey my great thanks to all those who have helped in this time of crisis.’ He looked around the House and sat down.
One of the colonel’s team was beckoning Rafi to pick up the phone nearest to him.
It was Aidan. ‘What do you think?’ he enquired.
‘That’s unfair,’ an ecstatic Rafi replied, ‘you’re the one with the screens in front of you.’
‘The currency markets are seeing big support for Sterling. Several early punters bet on it going through the floor and have had their fingers burnt. The support since the Chancellor’s statement has been unprecedented. And, Rafi, the terrorists and their banks will be sitting on some mind-bogglingly large losses when the derivatives markets open tomorrow! Did the PM and the Chancellor perform some kind of miracle, or what?’
‘Better than I could have prayed for,’ Rafi replied.
‘Basically, things are looking marvellous! Must dash – see you around Rafi. Bye.’
Rafi called across to anyone within earshot, ‘Aidan says that the markets loved the PM’s and the Chancellor’s speeches. And that the terrorists and their bankers are being taken to the cleaners.’
Colonels Gray and Turner and their teams looked ready to drop. But they looked happy as they packed up their kit – the military operation was complete. The Wood Street Ops Room had served its purpose well.
Len Thunhurst and his team were jubilant. It was their turn now as the focus swung onto the arrest of those implicated with the terrorist activities.
A spreadsheet visible on a large screen showed the tally of the arrests. The table showing the names in red, blue and black – slowly at first, then more rapidly – turned yellow as the arrests continued.
Rafi looked up at the TV screen. A well-known political commentator was attempting to sum up the activities of the afternoon. The words unprecedented, remarkable and incomparable were used frequently in his report. He finished by saying that it had been a great day for British democracy.
Rafi looked back across the room. The large screen showed Operation Dry Clean to be progressing well. The number of arrests was continuing to rise swiftly.
Chapter 8
Rafi had had enough.
Kate walked over and gave him a hug. ‘Let’s get some rest. I’m no longer needed here.’
‘Fine by me,’ replied Rafi.
‘I’m afraid it’s time for normality to resume. No more chauffeur-driven cars. How about I get us a taxi?’
Rafi nodded. Fifteen minutes later they picked up an evening paper and got into the black taxi waiting for them. The February evening was bleak and cold.
‘Where to?’
‘Clapham, please,’ answered Kate.
‘The traffic is awful – it could take a while.’
‘No problem,’ Kate looked at Rafi. ‘Is it OK if we pick up our stuff from the Savoy tomorrow? I hope you don’t mind, but I rang the hotel and told them that they can let someone else have our room.’
Rafi smiled at her. ‘What else have you been up to?’
‘Oh, there’s one other bit of news,’ she grinned. ‘As of now, I’m sort of on holiday. I’ve been ordered to spend two weeks helping you convalesce!’
Rafi smiled, ‘that’s the best news I’ve heard in ages.’
‘And it gets better. I thought you might like to get this back,’ she said, passing him his wallet and personal effects from Paddington Green.
‘Thank you. I can now pay for Luigi’s and the hotel suite. And I can do some clothes shopping.’
Kate gave him a big hug. ‘That sounds like fun – I hope I am included! By the way, how did you get on with the hotel in Cornwall?’ she enquired.
‘They have found a small suite for us. I told them we would be arriving tomorrow, early afternoon and staying between ten days and a fortnight,’ replied Rafi.
Kate curled up against him on the back seat.
‘So much for me going out with a butch police officer,’ he whispered into her ear.
‘Don’t be silly,’ came the soft reply. ‘They employ me for my brains and not my body!’
As the taxi approached Clapham, on Kate’s say-so, it turned into a tree-lined street off the Common and pulled up in front of a red brick terraced house.
‘Home sweet home,’ beamed Kate as she joined Rafi after paying the driver.
‘Come on, let’s get inside, it’s freezing cold out here.’ Kate unlocked the front door and they entered a small communal area, with two front doors. ‘Mine is the upstairs flat.’ There was a clunk as she unlocked her front door.
‘Good lock,’ Rafi commented.
‘Yes; you never know who might come calling.’
Inside, on the mat, was a pile of mail – most of which looked like junk. Kate scooped it up and headed upstairs. Her flat comprised a sitting room, a small kitchen, a cosy bath room and a good-sized double bedroom at the back of the house. The place felt like a deep freeze.
‘Is your central heating not working, by any chance?’
‘Sorry. I turn the thermostat down when I go out. Don’t worry, it’ll soon get warm.’
Kate scurried around – closing the curtains and lighting the gas fire in the sitting room before heading off towards the kitchen.
Rafi joined her and they stood there waiting for the kettle to boil. ‘Long-life milk, I’m afraid. Sugar?’
‘No, thanks.’
‘Come on, follow me – let’s get warm.’ Instead of going towards the sitting room, Kate turned right and headed for her bedroom.
It was a friendly looking room; simply furnished. In the middle of the wall, facing the window, was a large double bed. Kate placed Rafi’s mug of coffee on one bedside table and hers on the other. He looked across at her, wondering what exactly she was going to do next. She slipped off her shoes, stripped off her coat and hopped fully clothed into bed.
‘It’s cold in here – I could do with your body heat to warm me up,’ came the suggestive but gentle request.
Rafi sat on the side of the bed and took his coat and shoes off.
‘Come on, I’m freezing!’
He climbed under the duvet. Kate was right – the bed was freezing. Rafi moved over to her side and snuggled up. She wrapped her arms around him; her gorgeous eyes were inches away from his. He lay there staring into the sparkling deep brown colours, savouring the warmth of her body next to his. She moved forward and kissed him softly on the lips. He was in heaven.
‘If it’s alright with you, I thought we could have something from the freezer for supper and spend the evening in bed. How’s the coffee, by the way?’ asked Kate.