I said, ‘Tim, would you stand up please. Ladies and gentlemen, this is Tim.’ He stood, tall, relaxed, confident, good-natured, and non-threatening. They were going to love him. ‘He will be taking charge of your department until you are able to look after yourselves. On his recommendation, I am promoting you, Evan, to Senior Historian and you trainees can now regard yourselves as fully qualified. Draw your blues as soon as possible. The pods will be back soon. I have here a list of assignments. Each mission will consist of three newly qualified historians, together with Tim and Evan in a supervisory category. Tim, please have mission plans on my desk in three days’ time.’
I wanted them out there as soon as possible. Sending them in groups of three would give them confidence. Sending Evan to supervise would give him confidence, and sending Tim with all of them would give me confidence. I hoped to God I knew what I was doing.
I passed Tim the list. The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. I’d chosen them because they were not event specific. They could be visited at almost any time in their existence. It was a kind of historical Sunday afternoon out. Easy but worthwhile. It was important they felt they were making a real contribution.
I continued. ‘On your return, you will work up your findings in the usual manner and present them to St Mary’s, prior to filing them in the Archive.’ Many of us found the presentations more nerve-racking than the assignment itself, so it would give them something to take their minds off the present. Worrying about the future has that effect.
‘So, to sum up. Business as usual, as soon as possible. I’d like to thank all of you in advance for the truly enormous amounts of work you are about to embark upon. Anyone still alive at 1900 hours tonight – the first drink is on St Mary’s.’
Well, it wasn’t my money!
I swept off to my office, conveniently forgetting to ask if there were any questions.
Mrs Partridge brought me a cup of tea. In a delicate flower-patterned cup and saucer. With two chocolate digestives.
Oh, yes!
I have never done so much paperwork. Where does it all come from? Who needs to know this stuff? Why don’t they get lives? I fled to see Leon.
‘He’s awake,’ said Ben. ‘Don’t be upset if he doesn’t know you. He doesn’t always know who he is at the moment and when he does, he keeps forgetting. Don’t be alarmed if he drops off in mid-sentence. Especially don’t worry if he starts talking strangely. He’s not mad – well, no more than anyone is who works at St Mary’s, but he doesn’t always know if he’s awake or dreaming.’
‘All right,’ I said slowly, trying to sound calm and confident.
He patted my shoulder. ‘He’ll be fine. And so will you. Go on in.’
‘I’ll come and see you afterwards.’
‘I’m in my office.’
Leon was asleep when I went in. But now, at least, he was clean, shaved, and gowned. I stood at the bottom of the bed, unsure, but even as I thought about coming back later, he jerked awake, fixed me with eyes that saw something else, and said hoarsely, ‘You need to take care. It’s the same name.’
I said nothing and waited for him to re-focus. Gradually, he returned to the here and now. His eyes slid over me, wandered around the room, came back to me, and then closed again. I waited another few minutes, but that seemed to be it. I closed the door quietly behind me and went to find the doc.
‘It’s all right,’ he said, as soon as he saw me. ‘It takes a while. Please don’t worry.’
I nodded and tried not to worry. ‘How are your other patients?’
‘Pinkie had a better night and ate a little this morning. I’m not sure what you said, but well done. In fact, everyone continues to improve.’
‘How about you?’
‘Me? Oh, a bit tired but things are easier now. I’ll give you back your unit and then take a day or two for myself. Has anyone left yet?’
‘Not as far as I know. I’m going walkabout. I’m hoping that, if I keep moving, then no one will be able to catch me long enough to resign.’
He laughed. ‘Come back this afternoon.’
Actually, it was going all going quite well. I saw the kitchen taking in supplies, and no one was shouting about unpaid bills. Christine brought me a sheet of paper.
‘What’s this?’
‘The week’s menus, Director. For your approval.’
What? Seriously? Their Director approved the weekly menus? What sort of control freak was he? Anyone trying that with our Mrs Mack would soon find themselves on the business end of her battle-ladle.
I handed it back. ‘It’s your kitchen, Christine. I have every confidence in you. Whatever you decide will be just fine.’
She seemed surprised. ‘Are you sure, Director?’
‘Absolutely,’ I said firmly. ‘See me or Mrs Partridge if you have any problems, but you’re the one in charge now.’
Ian had everyone stripping down weapons. The techies had begun checking systems prior to initiating the return procedures.
In the training wing, Peterson flourished a schedule at me, looked at me more closely and then sent his people off to help in the library.
‘What do you need?’ he said.
‘I need Helen to know how wonderful you are,’ I said, perching on the corner of his table.
‘She knows,’ he said smugly, ‘I demonstrate my wonderfulness daily. Twice on Sundays and Bank Holidays. What do you want me to do?’
‘Can you go back to our St Mary’s? Will anyone miss you for a couple of hours?’
‘No. We can leave them in the library for the rest of the day if necessary.’
‘With luck, you’ll be back by this evening.’