‘Yes, there is the possibility – a small one – that they weren’t caught in the blast. But set against that is the certainty that neither was Ronan. And if he is still out there then all our previous arguments about Matthew’s safety apply. We shall, of course, be staging a rescue mission to Constantinople.’ She smiled faintly. ‘We don’t leave our people behind either. I am offering you a place on that mission, Max, but…’ She paused. ‘But, if you want to accompany us then I think you’ll agree that Matthew should return with us to TPHQ. This is an excellent opportunity for this to come about quite naturally. You can leave him with us for safe-keeping. He can have a look around and decide what he thinks of us. You yourself can inspect our facilities, talk to people, whatever you need to do. Then, on your return…’ she had the tact not to say with or without Leon, ‘we can discuss something more permanent. If he wants to stay, of course. I think we agreed it would be up to Matthew to decide.’
I didn’t think that was quite the agreement, but now was not the time and place. And she had a point. Ronan was still at large. If I was to go on this rescue – and I had a horrible feeling I was only being allowed to go because that would enable them to get their hands on Matthew – then it wasn’t fair to expect others here to look after him. And Dr Bairstow’s responsibility was to St Mary’s. Lingoss had her own job to be getting on with. And Matthew had to start having a proper education sometime.
If I refused, then I wasn’t sure whether I would be allowed to go and I had to. I just had to go. So – priorities. Get Leon first. Sort out Matthew later. And at least he would be safe at TPHQ while I was gone.
I nodded my agreement.
Afterwards, I found myself on the gallery, looking down at the deserted, dimly lit Hall. I leaned on the balustrade and tried to think. I heard someone approach and knew that Tim was standing behind me.
I turned to face him. He stood before me with his smart jacket and neatly combed hair. The expression on his face made me want to cry. I desperately wanted to put my arms around him and somehow make everything better for him, but that would not be a good idea for either of us.
I said, ‘Tim…’
‘Max, it’s OK. I’m pleased for you. I really am.’
‘Tim…’
‘And if … well … you know, if things don’t work out for … the best … then just remember I’m here … if you need me.’
I nodded, my eyes blurring with tears. ‘You mustn’t let go, Tim. You must hold on.’
His smile was crooked and bitter. ‘I had hoped we would be able to hold on to each other.’
I couldn’t speak.
He cleared his throat. ‘You should get off now. Lots to do. You need to talk to Matthew as well. Anything I can do to help?’
I’ve known Tim Peterson for many years now and I could see how desperately he wanted to be alone. To absorb what had just happened. To come to terms with … events.
I pretended to think carefully. ‘No, I think I’m OK, thanks very much. Are you around later if I think of anything?’
‘Of course,’ he said, backing away. ‘Anytime. Just give me a shout.’
I nodded and somewhat blindly set out to find Matthew.
He and Lingoss were in R&D, building a dirigible. Of course they were. Just a small one, she reassured me.
‘We’re going to pilot it around the building,’ she said, forestalling my inevitable questions. ‘There’ll be a little basket underneath to hold files, scratchpads, memos, bacon butties – that sort of thing. People can use it to send things to each other. Like email, but with physical objects. It’ll be really useful.’
There were so many things wrong with that statement that I never even bothered to start. I took her to one side and explained briefly.
She looked at me for a moment and said nothing. Today’s hair made her look like Sideshow Bob, but underneath all that hair and make-up there’s a very bright girl.
I took a chance. ‘Can you do me a favour?’
‘Of course.’
‘I don’t know how you’ll manage it, but I don’t think Peterson should be alone this evening. You’re intelligent and resourceful without being obvious. Think of something.’
She nodded. ‘I will, don’t worry.’
‘I knew you would. Go now.’
She disappeared.
I turned to Matthew, horribly dirty despite not having set foot out of doors all day. ‘And now, young man, you and I are off on a trip.’
Back in our rooms, I pulled down my sports bag and, not without a great deal of deliberation on Matthew’s part, packed three of his favourite toys. On top of those I hurled his sweatshirts, jeans and shirts. This not being bath or bedtime, he was wearing his precious trainers. I watched my hands folding and smoothing and, all the time, the same phrase was looping endlessly through my head – Leon might be alive. Leon might be alive.
I said nothing to Matthew. More than ever, I was glad I hadn’t told him about his father.
I’d been told to bring only what I stood up in, but I wasn’t going into battle in my only decent top, so I changed into blues. We were running down the stairs when he stopped dead and looked up at me.
‘What?’ I said.
‘My teddy.’
I had forgotten all about it. It must have been buried under the clutter on his bed, but I could hear voices in the Hall. They were waiting for us.
‘Sorry,’ I said. ‘I have to see Dr Bairstow. I’ll get teddy for you later, I promise.’
He nodded. Sometimes his quiet acceptance of everything going on around him was quite worrying.
I called in to see the Boss. Time was short but there was something very important I had to say to him.
I sat Matthew down in Mrs Partridge’s office and said, ‘Wait here a minute.’
I left the two of them staring at each other with wary suspicion, but I didn’t have the time – they’d just have to sort it out themselves.
The Boss was sitting behind his desk.
I couldn’t think of any tactful way to put it, so I just came right out with it. Making sure the door was closed, I crossed his faded carpet and said, ‘Sir, Ronan promised me he would kill everyone in my life. He’s already killed Helen and probably Leon, Guthrie and Markham as well.’ I swallowed. ‘Matthew will be safe at TPHQ, but I would be grateful if you could assure me that you have taken all steps necessary to protect yourself. I couldn’t bear it if I got back and…’
He limped out from behind his desk and took my hand. ‘I promise you, Max, when you return, I and Dr Peterson and everyone here will be safe and sound. You have my word.’
I nodded, unable to speak.
‘I shall take advantage of this moment to demand that you also, Max, take every care. You are the spirit of St Mary’s and we cannot do without you.’
‘Yes, sir.’ I turned to go and then looked back. ‘Do you think they’re still alive?’
‘I am convinced of it, Max. Now, go and bring back our lost boys.’
I stood quietly at the back of the pod, holding Matthew’s hand. He didn’t seem particularly alarmed but that meant nothing. Captain Ellis was piloting the pod. He said cheerily, ‘Hey, Matthew. Remember me?’
Matthew nodded, still not saying anything.
I squeezed his hand for reassurance although I should probably make it clear the reassurance was for me. We were jumping to the future – well, my future anyway – and that’s enough to make anyone nervous. I’m an historian. I like to know when and where I’m jumping. I like to research the time period so I know what to expect. Jumping into the unknown makes me nervous. And I was jumping to TPHQ which would make anyone nervous at any point on the timeline. And I had no St Mary’s team to back me up. It was just Matthew and me. It did cross my mind that this was all just an elaborate Time Police trap to get their hands on Matthew. I really do need to work on my paranoia issues.
Someone said, ‘Commence jump procedures.’
‘Commencing now.’
The world flickered.
That was it. Half of me was a little disappointed. Half of me was quite smug. St Mary’s does it better.
My disappointment continued.
We began well, landing in any sinister organisation’s mandatory underground bunker. I knew it was underground because I could hear the fresh-air blowers overhead. Under the pretence of straightening Matthew’s perfectly straight hoodie, I tried, surreptitiously, to have a look around, getting only a very fleeting impression of rows of black pods stretching away into the darkness before a very large officer, deliberately or otherwise, blocked my view.
Matthew, perfectly aware he hadn’t managed to disarrange his clothing in the four seconds between St Mary’s and here, stared at me reproachfully.