‘Before that, however, I would ask you, please, to join with me in thanking, Leon, Tim, and Ian for their invaluable help and hard work. They are far too modest about this, but I would like to state publicly, that without them, none of us would be standing here today. Tim, Ian, and Leon, St Mary’s thanks you for your service.’
The room erupted with cheers and applause. I joined in. Ian actually blushed. And me without any sort of recording device. They rose slowly to their feet and made those awkward bobbing movements with their heads. As the senior officer, Leon said, ‘An honour and a privilege, Director,’ and they all sat down again.
Those were the last words that anyone spoke to me as Director.
I swallowed and continued.
‘In this business, I’m never sure whether to wish people a successful future or a successful past, so I shall wish you both. It has been an honour and a privilege to serve with you. I hope to get around later and say a personal goodbye and thank you to everyone, but my final duty is to announce the name of your new Director.
‘I’ve consulted widely on this, but at the end of the day, there could only be one choice. One person here, above all others, held things together in the basement. One person never gave in. One person’s determination will lead you all in to the future. Madam Director, would you step up, please.’
It was better received than I thought it would be. There was some surprise because she wasn’t an historian, and Evan had a sour face, but he surely could never have considered himself eligible.
She stood, to enthusiastic applause and slowly mounted the stairs to stand beside me. She looked very smart, extremely serious, and more than a little nervous. I winked at her and we stood facing each other.
The hall grew very silent.
‘Director, you are relieved.’
‘Director, I stand relieved.’
We shook hands. I made a move to join Tim in the front row, but she put a hand on my arm. ‘One moment please.’ She faced the hall. I stood, hot and embarrassed as she made a small speech.
‘I’m sure this unit would like me to take this opportunity to thank you personally, for everything you have done for us. I know you don’t like to be thanked, but just for once, you must endure the embarrassment of receiving our gratitude. Without you, we would not have survived. You have been our Director and we have been proud to have you so. Director, St Mary’s thanks you for your service.’
I swallowed and turned to face the still hall. ‘St Mary’s, it’s been an honour and a privilege.’
The applause did not die away and when I could see clearly, they were on their feet and I suddenly realised I was going to miss them more than a little.
Pinkie spoke for a few minutes. Evan was confirmed as Senior Historian. Christine got her beloved kitchen to run. Alicia was made Librarian. I was glad she was promoting from within. She kept it short, however. I guessed that, in the nicest possible way, she wanted us gone so she could get cracking. I didn’t blame her. I would have too.
Guthrie, Peterson, and Leon extricated themselves from the throng. Leon still looked a touch wobbly. I tried not to feel guilty.
‘We’re off now,’ said Ian. ‘We’ve said our goodbyes and we’ll just slope off while no one’s looking.’
‘I’m holding on for an hour or so,’ I said, ‘then coming back in Number Four as agreed. Is no one coming back with me?
No, seemed to be the answer to that. Leon wanted his own pod. Tim was going with him in case he fell asleep in the middle of something important and Ian was just going with them, anyway.
‘OK,’ I said. ‘I’ll tie up the loose ends here and see you in a couple of hours.’
I watched them go. I spent an hour with Pinkie and then half an hour just chatting to Mrs Partridge, which I think we both enjoyed. Although I still lacked the balls to ask about Bolivia.
That done, I set off for Hawking. It took a very long time, not least because I did make an effort to speak to everyone.
Finally, I found myself outside Number Four.
‘The co-ordinates are all laid in,’ said Pinkie, unconsciously echoing Chief Farrell’s own words on my first solo jump, all those years ago.
We stepped inside and she ran a professional eye over the console. ‘Everything’s fine. Just press the button and go.’
‘Thank you,’ I said, meaning a lot more than that.
‘You’re welcome,’ she said, meaning a lot more than that.
‘Good luck with everything,’ I said. ‘Especially the new project.’
‘You too. Take care, Max.’ She stepped outside. Then stepped back in again.
‘What the hell am I going to do with seventeen dodos?’
I laughed. Not my problem!
The door closed. I sat on an unfamiliar seat and started the countdown.
‘Jump initiated.’
And the world went white.
Chapter Ten
The next day, I reported to the Boss directly after breakfast. Mrs Partridge was in her office and nodded me through.
To my surprise and dismay, we sat in the armchairs. It was going to be one of those interviews. Rumour had it that he’d once attended a seminar on caring management, and these two armchairs were the unnerving result. Personally, I was always more comfortable with his desk between us – like the Romulan neutral zone.