Disclaimer: I do not own Cherub.
Prologue
Lauren was teetering unsteadily at the top of a stepladder, reaching for a leather-bound book on the top shelf of her bookcase when James came into the office.
"You can't just barge in here like you own the place, James," Lauren scowled, stepping down from the stepladder, "I'm your boss now." She was an adult, but she still had a childish side. There was always going to be something satisfying in being her older brother's boss.
"Not now," James ran a trembling hand through his hair, "Lauren…I think…I think that…" He seemed to be having trouble getting his words out. Lauren pulled a chair out for him and he collapsed onto it gratefully. She walked round to the other side of the desk and sat down, resting her elbows on its brand new glass surface.
Lauren was the new Zara, the new head of CHERUB. She'd recently redecorated the office in a sleek modern style with an old fashioned twist, and she loved being in it.
As for James, he was head of the maths department.
Lauren felt sorry for her brother, but she was running out of patience.
"Spit it out, James!" She snapped.
"I got drunk last night…really drunk. And I…I think that I told someone…that CHERUB existed."