Part 17 of 18
Things begin to settle down…
As Summit security personnel appear, Richard slips away and leaves the agents to handle the mopping up. He slips back inside the castle and makes his way to the summit room. As far as he can see, everyone is still alive and all the bad 'uns are rounded up. He hears voices coming up the main stairs and hides behind the tartan hangings at the back of the hall just as the Prime Minister and everyone else troops in.
Johnny and Angus take up a position nearby and Richard reaches out a hand to give Angus a quick nudge. Angus looks back over his shoulder and their eyes meet briefly. Richard gets another silent 'thank you' then ducks behind the tartans once more.
His satisfaction wanes as he listens with pride then with a bit of annoyance then with absolute outrage as the Prime Minister spins the whole episode to her benefit. Great, he thinks, she gets all the glory and Johnny gets a mention… and Angus is totally ignored! How unfair is that?
… or not!
His moral dander up, Richard is tempted to step out of hiding and declare loud and long as to where the honour and kudos REALLY lie when he hears a tiny metallic… 'shink'.
All hell breaks loose.
Richard peeks out from behind the draperies and is appalled! He sees Angus step in front of Johnny but that isn't going to work! Reaching up, Richard yanks down the yards of tartan and bundles it out to Angus who wraps the material around Johnny and moral decency is served. Richard fades into the background and makes his way out by circuitous hallways and doors, never noticing the camera flash that catches him for posterity and gives Camille bragging rights for years and years to come.
Aftermath
Hours later, when Johnny and Angus appear in the castle's front court yard, their helper is waiting for them. There is much back-slapping and laughter and taking the piss. Johnny finally has to order them to settle down. They go down to the pier and paddle back to the submarine where cousin Jeremy is waiting to hear all about it.
Only Johnny peers down into the waters as if looking for something.
Angus mutters for Richard's ears alone, "Sir, if we bump into anything before we reach the sub, will you restart my heart for me, please?"
Richard mutters back, "Only if you promise to do the same for me."
However, they reach the sub without incident and wing silent thanks heaven-ward.
The 'ride' back to London is most merry and Captain Ogilvie does indeed want to hear more about the mysterious radar and sonar shadow that they'd picked up briefly out in Loch Nevis. Johnny and she have a hushed conference and she is gratified as well as validated… what with being a sailor of many years and witness to many an odd thing on the high seas. She's heard worse.
She is most brusque about the commandeering of her missile control but she is then satisfied to have been part of the solution. Johnny assures her she will receive a special commendation out of it all and she is content. Well, as content as she can be with Angus laughing and cavorting with his friends across the mess room, unaware of his effect on her (or so she thinks).
She sighs. Such a pity. I really must spread my nets and fetch me up another one just like him. Wouldn't it be fair sailing to hitch myself to such a feller? Alas, it is not to be. Oh well, buck up old girl, there's plenty of compensation for keeping faith with her Majesty's navy!
Unbeknownst to her, Angus is also having a quiet word with Jeremy. Cousins are alike in more than just looks. Jeremy has a startling idea put into his head and he swings abaft to study his captain with a fresh eye. His oft appreciation of Ogilvie's finer points suddenly surges to the fore. He gives Angus a thoughtful look and slow nods are exchanged.
END – part 17