his room. He was really annoyed about Lauren blackmailing him, even though he now realised it had all been for a good cause.
He flung off his outer layer of clothing and crashed on to the beanbag in front of his TV, totally knackered. It was 3:06 a.m., he hadn't slept a wink and his legs killed from all the running and wading. He had a fitness training session in less than four hours and still had to shower and put his muddy clothes in soak before he could get into bed.
But before any of that, James needed a drink. As he crouched in front of his miniature fridge, trying to decide between Pepsi and Sprite, the phone beside his bed rang.
Phones don't ring at 3:06. James picked up gingerly, guessing it was Lauren or Bethany with a query about something that had happened, but the voice was much older. Soft and with a slight Scottish accent.
Nello there.?
James?heart warped to a million beats per minute. It was Mac, the chairman of CHERUB and most senior staff member on campus.
Mh,?James said, faking a yawn. Tou woke me up.?
Did I indeed??Dr McAfferty laughed. T take it you sleepwalked the entire journey through the trees, across the training compound, into the trainees?dormitory and back up the stairs to your room.?
Tou 厭 James said, pounding his fist against the carpet as he realised that the shit had hit the fan.
憛 sat here watching the whole thing on our backup CCTV system,?Mac said, finishing James?sentence. Eo IEl be seeing you, your sister Lauren and Bethany Parker in my office at nine-thirty tomorrow morning. Is that clear??
Tes, sir,?James said gloomily, cursing his luck as the phone went dead in his ear.
5. RETIREMENT
If you were in trouble, Dr McAfferty prolonged your suffering by making you wait in suspense outside his office. Nine-thirty rolled on to ten as James, Lauren and Bethany sat on a line of leatherette chairs, anxiously drumming and twitching a variety of body parts. Mact assistant sat at the desk in the middle of the outer office, typing letters, taking calls and scowling at the KEEP SILENT sign if they dared make any noise.
The kids wanted to make a good impression and all three wore pristine CHERUB uniform: freshly waxed combat boots, olive cargo pants and the T-shirts that denoted their rank. Grey for Bethany, navy for James and black for Lauren.
The longer James sat there thinking about his situation, the angrier he got with his sister for dragging him into this mess.
It was almost eleven when they got called in. Mact office was a stately affair, with a giant oak desk and floor to ceiling bookshelves. Many of the shelves had been emptied and the books stacked into cardboard boxes, ready for shipping out.
James was surprised. T thought you were here for another couple of months.?
Mac gave the bookshelves a sad glance from behind his desk. T don't retire until the end of July,?he said. Ttt just easier taking things home a few boxes at a time.?
Ts it true that you didn't want to go??Bethany asked.
Mac smiled. CHERUB might be a special organisation, but I have to retire at sixty-five, the same as any other government employee. Besides, this is a young mant ?or womant ?job. All the responsibilities of a headteacher, politician and spymaster rolled into one. I don't have the energy I used to have and there are plenty of souls more than capable of replacing me.?
Like who??Lauren asked.
As Mact retirement drew near, the identity of the new chairman had become the hot topic on campus.
Mac gave the kids an odd expression, part serious, part misty eyed, before speaking in an uncharacteristically severe voice. Blease sit down at the desk. We're here to discuss your futures, not mine. In particular, the consequences of last nightt unauthorised mission.?
Now come you found out about it??James asked, as he sat down between the two girls.
Mact voice softened and he almost broke into a smile. Mne of the office staff caught Martin Newman stealing a key to the generator room.?
Lauren and Bethany both gasped.
As you well know, Bethany,?Mac continued, Toung Martin has a crush on you. He was reluctant to tell on you and only admitted that he was stealing the key for you two after I threatened to ban him from undercover missions if he didn't spill the beans.
T had your rooms searched while you were in class and found Laurent masterplan,?Mac said, as he held up a large sheet of photocopied paper. Mnce I