2
Ruth rested her hands on the barrier around the roof of Thames House. The last week had been unfathomable. She knew the change in Prime Minister would be one thing but for the change in Monarch to happen at the same time seemed to be stranger than fiction. She closed her eyes as she thought of the members of the team who had been deployed to Scotland. It had only been a few months since the Platinum Jubilee and now they had to work together again. She knew Harry, Dimitri, Adam and Zaf would not be happy about being deployed there with Tariq but until the Royals were all back in London then they had no choice.
"Ruth?"
She turned as she heard her name.
"I just needed a few minutes." She sighed. "I never once thought this would happen while I was in Section D." She sighed as Ros approached her. The blonde woman nodded.
"The media coverage."
"Always going to be a nightmare." Ruth paused. "They eyes of the world are on London like never before."
"No pressure then." Ros rolled her eyes as she stood next to her friend. "At least we will have everyone back in London by tonight."
"Yes."
"You're worried." Ros frowned slightly.
"Yes, well." Ruth sighed. "Aren't I always?"
Ros smirked. "We have had this plan for decades. This plan was written before we were even born. You know that. The whole Service was briefed on this for years. We had training on it."
"Training is one thing." Ruth sighed.
"True." Ros agreed. "Operation London Bridge. From the nursery rhyme. You know I never taught the kids that one. Made me think of the actual operation too much."
"Same. You know Tariq didn't know it was from the rhyme. That Her Majesty was the Fair Lady in the rhyme."
"Kids." Ros rolled her eyes. She looked out over the city wondering how many people realised how much work went into keeping them safe every single day. She knew the majority of people would never give them a second thought. The world's press, along with the thousands of extra people converging on London, not to mention the various international dignities who were due to be in the city made the job that little more daunting. She sighed heavily.
"Are you alright?"
"Always." Ros stated. "Always."
"Yeah." Ruth sighed, looking out over the city. "We can do this. The whole service and the Met are focused on making sure the run up to Monday goes as planned."
"Yeah." Ros closed her eyes for a moment. "It's all been rehearsed to an inch of its life. We have pulled a few people in."
"I know, just wish half the world wasn't on Twitter." Ruth sighed.
"Everyone is watching." Ros glared. "Always. We know who we need to keep an eye on."
"All the watch lists are complete. I checked them again; Malcolm has gone for warrants to tap certain phones. We are covering all bases. We have everything covered." She turned as Calum appeared in the doorway.
"What?" Ros snapped.
"The plan has taken off. They're on the way home." Calum watched as Ruth smiled slightly. She seemed to visibly decompress as he gave them the news. Somehow, she knew she would feel happier knowing her friends and Harry were back in London. Ros straightened up, nodding once she practically marched towards the doorway ready to take on the next part of the journey.