‘Sounds like fun,’ replied Rafi.
‘They want me to run a team which advises on research and development grants allocated to UK universities. Dealing with renewable energy, hydrogen fuel cells, energy efficiency, clean carbon technology, carbon sequestration, under sea storage and,’
Rafi interrupted her, as the list seemed endless. ‘That sounds right up your street.’
‘I know, isn’t it great? I’d be involved with all the areas that could give the UK economy a competitive edge post nuclear power.’ Saara chuckled. ‘I liked the sound of the job but I told them I had loyalties: my existing research work and Steve. And that I was very happy in Birmingham. You know what? The Chancellor started smiling. He said I made an excellent negotiator. He then floored me. He said that Steve’s research had caught the eye of those at University College London and that they’d be asking him to work with them on secondment. Plus, he can bring his research team with him! The Chancellor has sorted it out with my boss at the university. He thinks it’s an excellent opportunity for us both! Basically, I was well and truly stitched up. But, Rafi, I wasn’t pleased to find you were part of the fit up.’
‘Pardon?’
‘Well, they told me that Jeremy had spoken to you, and confirmed that Steve and I were most welcome to use your flat on a long-term basis, as you were now living with Kate.’
‘Of course you are welcome to use it, and it explains why Jeremy asked me about you and my flat out of the blue.’
‘Isn’t it fantastic? I’ve talked it through with Steve and, if it’s alright with you, the move is on.’
‘I’m really happy for you. I’ll send you a set of keys,’ said Rafi.
‘Thank you… And I’ll be working at the Treasury. I’ll have a workstation at Number 11. And they’re practically tripling my salary. It’s outrageous; I’m going to get a huge pay increase to do something I love.’
‘It’s about time,’ remarked Rafi.
‘Rafi, are you sure it’s alright for me to use your flat?’
‘Of course!’
‘Steve says he’s looking forward to living somewhere without rising damp. By the way, how much rent should we pay?’
‘How about what you were paying in Birmingham?’
‘Surely that can’t possibly be enough?’ said Saara.
Rafi heard Kate unlocking the front door.
‘Sis, don’t worry. Enjoy the flat and let’s chat again soon. I’ve got to go now – Kate has just got home.’
‘Bye and thanks,’ replied a very happy Saara.
Chapter 10
They’d been back in London for almost four weeks. Thursday had been a quiet day. Rafi had cooked supper, which was being kept warm in the oven, and he was sitting with his feet up reading the evening newspaper. He looked up at the clock. It was almost 9.30 p.m. Kate had rung to say that she would be a bit late, so he was not worried.
There was a clatter downstairs as Kate opened the front door, bounced up the stairs and greeted him with a hug and a lingering kiss.
‘Forgive me for being so late. Supper smells good. Thank you for waiting.’
‘I hope it’s still edible.’
He noticed Kate’s cheerful demeanour. ‘Did you have a good day then?’
‘Yep, it was quite something. It seems I’ve been promoted. You now see before you Detective Chief Inspector Kate Adams!’
Rafi listened to her story of how she’d been dumbstruck when she’d been called into a meeting with the commissioner. ‘Emma is being promoted into my job. Jack Fisher from John’s team downstairs, who did all the work on the terrorist sleepers, is taking on Emma’s role and Peter Ashby is to become their sidekick. According to the commissioner, that left him with a bit of a problem as to what he should do with his newest detective chief inspector! I didn’t follow what he was saying until he said, “Yes, Kate, the appointments board has approved your promotion. It puts you as the youngest DCI in the City of London. Congratulations.” I left feeling light-headed,’ continued Kate. ‘I was only promoted to detective inspector last year. I seem to have missed a large number of rungs on the ladder.’
Rafi leant across and kissed her. ‘Fantastic! This calls for a celebration. It’s what you deserve. I’d love to see your family’s faces when you tell them the good news.’
‘But that’s not all. He asked if you and I would attend a meeting with him, Ewan Thorn and the PM’s permanent secretary tomorrow afternoon at 3 o’clock?’
“So we won’t have to wait long to find out what they have in mind for you.” Rafi gave her another kiss, got up and walked through to the kitchen. From the back of the fridge he pulled out a bottle of sparkling white wine, scooped up two glasses from a cupboard and walked back into the sitting room. Kate had kicked off her shoes and was sitting on the sofa with her feet curled up under her.
‘Look what I found in the fridge.’ He passed the bottle to Kate. ‘You can do the honours.’ There was a loud pop as the cork flew up and made a small dent in the ceiling.
Rafi put a glass out to catch the effervescent wine as it bubbled out of the top.
Kate filled her glass. Rafi stretched his arm out and she poured an inch of the liquid into his glass.
He raised it. ‘A toast: to you, the most talented policewoman in the City!’
Rafi looked into the eyes he loved so much and, out of the ordinary, took a sip of the sparkling wine. It tasted different to what he’d expected. The little bubbles danced on his tongue.
Kate raised her glass and took a long swig. ‘I’ve a confession to make: this isn’t my first glass of champagne this evening.’ There was a chuckle in her voice.
Rafi smiled. ‘You deserve being made a fuss of. What exactly does your promotion mean?’
‘Heaven only knows! I suppose they want me to move somewhere new, which is why they’ve asked for you to be there.’
They chatted over the well-cooked supper. Kate was buoyed up with the excitement of the news. As to what the future held, all would be revealed tomorrow. They left the dirty plates where they were and retired to bed.
Kate was up and out of the flat early the next morning. Rafi tidied up and spent a leisurely couple of hours reading the papers. He was feeling rested. The terrors of the previous month were a thing of the past. He left in good time, dropped into a florist on the way and headed off for the meeting at Wood Street. He arrived almost fifteen minutes early and went up to the fourth floor office to look for Kate. To his surprise, he found Emma sitting at Kate’s desk and opposite her was Jack Fisher.
‘Hi there, I came to have a last look at where I was imprisoned and to convey my congratulations to the two of you.’ From behind his back Rafi produced a bouquet of spring flowers, which he handed to Emma. ‘Congratulations and well done.’
Rafi turned to leave but Emma stopped him at the door. ‘You can’t get away that easily.’ She placed her arms around his neck and gave him a kiss. ‘You look after Kate, or else I’ll come and sort you out. Got that? She’s a very special girl.’
Rafi felt a firm tap on his shoulder. ‘So this is what you get up to when my back is turned: making out with my best friend! I should have guessed that the two of you had a soft spot for each other!’
Kate winked at Emma. ‘Come on, Rafi, we are meant to be elsewhere – if you can tear yourself away from those sexy lips.’
Rafi looked into Emma’s eyes and sensed a real fondness. He kissed her on the cheek and followed Kate down the corridor.
‘Nice to see Emma again?’ asked Kate.
‘Yep,’ Rafi replied. ‘You’ve a really good friend there. She left me in no doubt that I had to take good care of you, or else!’
Kate had a broad grin on her face as they entered Beverley’s office. She waved them into her boss’s meeting room.
The meeting room looked very neat and tidy. There, sitting at the table, was the commissioner, together with a dark-suited gentleman, who Rafi recalled as being the Prime Minister’s permanent secretary, and Ewan from MI5. Kate and Rafi sat down opposite them.