dessert menus? Then we can all have dessert and coffee together.?
The waiter nodded efficiently and walked away.
Eo??Lauren said, once he was out of earshot.
Tt was good,?Zara said, checking that there was nobody within listening distance before breaking into a grin.
T was at Geoff Coxt interview yesterday and it was very formal,?Mac explained. Ne spoke with the ministers about schools and education policy and a little bit about his time in the intelligence service.
Tarat interview was totally different. The PM was hooked when she told him about the mission she was working on and how you two boys infiltrated the AFA before anyone had ever heard of it. He even asked Zara about her family and ended up looking at pictures of Tiffany and Joshua. After sitting through both interviews, I'll confident that Zara has nailed it.?
Tay to go!?James grinned. Lust remember that you and I are old mates when you're dishing out the punishments.?
So special treatment,?Zara said, shaking her head. TouEl just have to behave yourself. Besides, I know it went well, but I'll not popping any champagne corks until Ire got a letter of confirmation in my hand.?
The waiter strode purposefully across to the table and handed out five dessert menus. James was pigged out from his steak, but couldn't resist a look.
got to have a go at that.?
Eo, itt a big day for you boys tomorrow,?Mac said. TEl be taking a keen interest in how you get on.?
Eo will the Prime Minister,?Zara added. Ne asked the intelligence minister to make sure he gets a briefing on how it goes.?
Lauren noticed the uncomfortable look on her brothert face and made a de-dum, de-dum sound, like a heart beating. Meeling the pressure James??
Kyle laughed as he wrapped an arm around James?back. Te're not worried, are we, mate? All were got to do is travel to some unknown location, foil some unknown plan and bring down a well armed, well funded and highly dangerous terrorist group.?
And make sure nobody gets hurt in the process,?James said.
Mac laughed as Lauren started doing the heartbeat noise again. James put his arm around Kylet back and pulled him in tight.
Tou know what I think, Kyle??James asked, as he grinned at his best friend.
That??Kyle asked.
T think we're totally screwed.?
29. PICKUP
Jo called Kyle on Tuesday night and it looked like the AFA intended to keep security tight. The boys were told to wear accurate watches and set them to the correct time before leaving. They were asked to wear ordinary casual clothes and carry one small bag or backpack. The packs were supposed to contain one change of clothes, a towel, a small quantity of personal toiletries and ?optionally ?one book or magazine which Jo said should be suitable for reading on a long journey. IPods, mobiles, or any other forms of electronic gadget that might contain a hidden listening device were banned.
The pickup point was the dilapidated barn where theyr met up with Zebra Alliance activists before vandalising the police cars a month earlier. James and Kyle noticed Tomt MG as they approached and found the two lads around the back, squatting on the edge of an upturned water trough.
Kyle stepped up and gave Tom a long kiss. Viv gave James an almighty slap on the back, his trademark greeting for anyone he liked.
Ney, cop killer, long time no see,?Viv said, before looking across at Kyle and Tom. T know what you're thinking, kid. I mean, how can that possibly be better than what I got up to last night with Sophie??
James started to crack up laughing. Eo howt your arse??
Mully recovered,?Viv said. T was really pissed off to miss the action on Monday. Tom said it was an amazing night.?
Certainly wasn't dull,?James smirked, as a horn blasted on the other side of the barn.
The boys wandered around the front to see a long-wheelbase van rolling up the drive. A woman in sunglasses stepped out of the cab and James realised it was the one who called herself Jo the second she opened her mouth. She wore combat trousers and judging by the bulge, there was a handgun tucked into them.
Ney boys,?she said. Tou must know how this works by now, so step into the barn and start stripping off your clothes.?
Another woman had climbed out the passenger side of the van. She was in her twenties, good looking, with red cheeks. James thought she looked like the sort of girl whor settle down and squirt out half a dozen kids.
*
Adelaide Kent, Lauren thought, almost dropping