‘He’s coming with me right now,’ she said calmly and then nodded her head at Daniel standing just behind her, ‘and you better not get in our way, all right?’
Daniel puffed himself up slightly and attempted a menacing frown.
‘Jake, get over here now!’ shouted Leona taking a few steps across the classroom towards her brother. Daniel filed in behind keeping a wary eye on the teacher and balling his fists in what he hoped was a vaguely intimidating way.
Jake did as he was told, standing up and starting to pack his exercise books and stationery back into his shoulder bag.
‘Oh for God’s sake, leave that Jake! We’ve got to go right now!’
He looked confused, placing his things back down on the desk. ‘Why am I going?’
‘Questions later, okay? We’re in a hurry.’
The woman stirred. ‘Yes, why? Can you at least tell me that? I can’t let him go without knowing why—’
‘Because the world’s about to end,’ Daniel offered uncertainly with a shrug.
‘What?’ the woman replied, frowning with disbelief.
Leona reached out for Jacob’s small hand, and led him towards the classroom door before turning back towards the teacher. ‘He’s right. In a few days’ time, we’re all going to be hungry, and people are going to get mad, and fight. And these boys,’ she gestured with her free hand at the pupils who had watched in silent and rigid disbelief at the surprise intrusion, ‘should all be sent home to their families, before it’s too late.’
Leona led Jacob out of the classroom and Daniel backed out after them.
‘You know I’ll have to notify the school security guard,’ the teacher called out. ‘And the police!’
In the hallway outside Leona turned to Daniel. She was trembling.
‘Oh my God, we’re going to be in so much trouble if Dad’s wrong,’ she said.
Jacob looked up at Daniel and pointed a finger at him. ‘Who is he? Is he your boyfriend? Where are we going?’
She knelt down in front of him. He was tiny for his age. ‘Jake, I’ll explain everything later. Right now, we just need to get home, okay?’
He thought about it for about three seconds, then nodded and saluted like a trooper. ‘Roger, roger.’
All of a sudden, they heard the deafening ring of what sounded very much like a fire-alarm bell.
Daniel cupped his mouth, ‘I think we should run!’ he shouted.
CHAPTER 26
12.30 p.m. GMT Whitehall, London
He stared at his reflection in the mirror above the basin as he washed his hands. Caught in the downward glare of the little recessed spotlight above him, every bump, groove and crevice on his face stood out with merciless clarity. He looked ten years older standing here - fifty-five instead of forty-five.
It occurred to him that what he was doing was a job much better suited to a younger man. It was the arrogance and confidence of youth that carried you through this kind of undertaking. Doubting, second-guessing, checking the dark corners . . . those debilitating habits came with maturity . . . shit, who was he kidding . . . old age.
His passport might say he was forty-five, but the tread-marks on his face spoke of a man much older. The wear and tear of staying at the top of the game had made its indelible mark on him. And now there was this.
He heard knuckles rapping against the wooden door to the gentlemen’s wash-room.
‘They’re ready in the press room, Prime Minister.’
Charles nodded. ‘Just give me a few minutes.’
His press secretary was still outside, Charles could see the twin shadows of his legs punctuating the strip of light coming through under the door.
‘Sir, we are running short of time. Your broadcast is rescheduled for 1.30, and the TV people need you down in the press room to put some make-up on and do their lighting.’
For Christ’s sake . . .
‘I said I’ll be along in a minute!’ he shouted irritably.
The twin shadows shuffled beneath the door for a moment, and then vanished.
He splashed some water on his face and let out a ragged sigh. With only an hour to go, he had yet to fully decide what exactly he was going to announce.
How honest should I be?
That was the question.
During the night most of the Cassandra recommendations had been discreetly put into action. Internal travel arteries had been locked down. The terror threat cover story was being pushed hard, and all airports, sea ports and rail stations had been successfully closed. But the cover story wasn’t going to last for long.
Throughout the morning the process