me. But Ewart prodded me into it and said it would be good experience, if nothing else 厭
James got the horrible feeling that Zara would be leaving CHERUB before he made the link between Zara applying for a job and the one job he knew was about to become vacant.
Are you the new chairman of CHERUB??he gasped.
Sot yet,?Zara grinned. They interviewed eight applicants. Ewart called to tell me that Ire made the final shortlist of two. Ire got to go to London next Tuesday for an interview at Number Ten.?
Downing Street??
Zara nodded. The final interview takes place with a panel of three: Dr McAfferty, the Prime Minister and the intelligence services minister.?
James was happy for his favourite CHERUB staff member. T can't believe you managed to keep it under your hat for so long,?he grinned. T really hope you get the job. Whot the other candidate??
Zara squirmed a little. Tell, thatt the trouble. Het called Geoff Cox. Het an outsider with no CHERUB experience, but het much better qualified than me. Het in his fifties; he worked as an intelligence operative in the 1970s and then left to become a teacher. Het spent the last seven years as headmaster at one of Londont nuttier comprehensives, turning it from a sink school into a science and technology academy with some of the best exam results in the country.?
Eounds like an idiot,?James said, waving his hand dismissively. Tr vote for you.?
Most people would probably regard me as the underdog, James. But you never know. I didn't even think Ir make it on to the final shortlist.?
This is so cool, Zara. The only thing is, I'll gonna be lying awake in suspense, wondering if you're gonna get the job.?
Zara burst out laughing. TouEl be losing sleep, James. How the blazes do you think I feel??
25. CALL
Lauren sat in the living-room dressed in her nightshirt. She had a bowl of cereal in her hands and wasn't paying attention to the lame Saturday morning kids?show on the TV. Meatball sat on the cushion beside her, half asleep. She didn't notice James and Kyle sneaking a glance at her through the front window, or hear them creeping in the back door and stripping off their shorts, socks and T-shirts in the hallway outside.
She flew half a metre into the air as the boys burst in and bombarded her with balled-up running kit. Her breakfast bowl tipped over as she ducked to avoid James?trainer sock and Kylet shorts.
Don't do that,?Lauren scolded, standing up and staring at the giant circle of milk soaking into her nightshirt. Tou idiots.?
James cracked up laughing. The look on your face was classic.?
Meatball thought that chasing after flying clothes was a great game and came charging across the floor. But he ran headfirst into a running vest dangling over the arm of the sofa and got his front legs caught up in the neck hole. Kyle laughed as he crouched down and untangled the dog.
Tou two,?Lauren said, folding her arms angrily but smiling at the same time. T'll trying to have a quiet Saturday morning doss here. Now I'll soaked.?
Ahh,?James said, putting on a baby voice. T know my little sister-poos can't stay angry at big brother James. Come on, giss a kiss.?
Don't you dare, James,?Lauren snapped, putting her arms out to stop him. Tou stink, of BO.?
James thought his sister might really blow up if he went through with the kiss, so he backed off and started gathering up the items spread across the floor.
Now was the run??Lauren asked.
Aood,?Kyle nodded. Te did about seven Ks, right around the Malarek compound, out through the fields then we sprinted the last bit, back through the new part of the village.?
Etuartt trousers are still up in that tree,?James added.
Tou should have come with us,?Kyle said. Ttt amazing how fast your fitness drops off when you're on a mission and you're not training regularly.?
Teah,?James nodded. Believe me, you don't want to get put on an emergency fitness plan when you get back to campus. You know what psychos the instructors are.?
T know,?Lauren nodded. But unlike you two skiving gits, Ire been at school all week. I reckon I deserve one morning of TV and Coco Pops.?
Sext time??Kyle asked.
Eure,?Lauren nodded. Mh, Kyle,?she added, T could hear your phone ringing when I was on the loo. Your better check your messages.?
慠ight, cheers,?Kyle said. Tou might as well take the first shower, James. IEl see who called.?
As James grabbed a towel out of the cupboard at the top of