his watch would display 11:11:11, the mobile phone in his pocket played its little message received sound. He sneaked the Samsung out of his pocket and flipped it open.
Mr Wilson,?the teacher said sharply.
It took half a second for James to register that this was his current surname and look up.
T know you're new at this school, James, but I shouldn't have to remind you that mobile telephones are to be switched off during all lessons.?
Eorry, Miss,?James said, but he was more interested in the message her received from Kyle:
AM AT FRONT GATES. MEET NOW. MEGA URGENT!!!
Things had been awkward between James and Kyle since their row on Friday afternoon, so it had to be something to do with the mission.
Erm 厭 James said, standing up and grabbing his backpack. Mamily crisis. Sorry Miss, but Ire got to run.?
The teacher looked startled and James?classmates were staring at him with looks that clearly said pull the other one itt got bells on.
Lust because itt the last week of term does not give you the right to come and go as you please,?Miss Choke said angrily, as James stuffed his history books into his pack.
Teah,?James gasped as he headed for the classroom door and set off at a run down a short corridor. Eorry.?
He bolted down two flights of stairs and out of the main school entrance, ignoring the woman at reception demanding to know exactly what he thought he was playing at. Kyle was across the road outside the school, dressed in jeans and polo shirt with a backpack slung over his shoulder.
Thatt going on??James asked, looking around anxiously. Ter better get moving. The school secretary was doing her nut and they're bound to send someone out after me.?
Kyle pointed at an old Mondeo parked less than twenty metres away. Don't worry, Ire got a cab. Were had the call.?
That call??
The feelers Viv put out,?Kyle explained. Apparently him and Tom met up with some dude on the university campus late last night. I got a call from Tom this morning and another from the activists about an hour later. They want to meet us, soon as poss.?
Eweet,?James said, as they headed towards the cab. Eo are we back on speaking terms now or what??
Kyle shrugged as he opened the front passenger door of the car. Tou're not exactly my favourite person in the world, but Zara had words and we have a job to do.?
As James climbed in the back of the cab, he could see the schoolt deputy head on the other side of the road, waiting for a break in the traffic.
There to, boss??the driver asked, in an East European accent.
Take us into Bristol,?Kyle said. Eome shopping centre called King Street Parade. Do you know where that is??
*
The driver got lost going through the tangle of one-way streets in the centre of Bristol and the fare ended up being over twenty quid.
Eo what are we supposed to do now??James asked, as they headed up an escalator towards a food court that had once been the top floor of a department store.
They told us to sit at a table and await instructions,?Kyle explained. Tere got no idea how sophisticated these groups are, so wer better assume that we're being listened to. Stay in character at all times.?
慠ight,?James said, almost tripping at the top of the escalator because he was concentrating on ripping off his school tie.
The food court was a standard deal, with a dozen deserted kiosks and twenty people queuing up at the McDonalds. It wasn't quite lunchtime, so there was plenty of space to sit.
Ehall we get something to eat??James asked, as they sat down at a small table.
Kylet phone rang the split second his bum touched his plastic chair. Nello.?
A female voice came back at him. Kyle thought it sounded sinister, although that probably had more to do with the realisation that he was being watched.
T see you made it,?she said. Took you long enough, didn't it??
T told you I had to get James out of school,?Kyle said, craning his neck around in an attempt to spot the woman on the other end of the phone.
Don't bother looking, Kyle, youEl meet me soon enough. What equipment have you got on you??
Kyle was baffled. Equipment??
Telephones, wrist watches, pens, pencils, tape recorders, pocket knives, wallets. You must have some of that stuff on you.?
Eure, a couple of bits.?
MK, I can see youre both got backpacks. I want both of you to take everything off, including your telephones, and place them