They crept silently towards the cavern. Barbara was sure she could hear voices but she also thought she could hear her mother calling her so she dismissed everything from her mind and focussed on obeying Tommy. She would remind him later it was not something he should expect. Obedience was not really in her nature.

Tommy was aware that Barbara's breathing was uneven. She even started to become a little incoherent and confused. It hurt him to see her suffer but he needed her to be able to stay alert enough to get past the cavern. He was moving slowly, searching for booby-traps but they seemed to have a clear path. He stopped fifty feet from the entrance and looked for signs of danger. A dull light came from the entrance. "Wait here," he whispered, "I'm going for a closer look."

He crouched low as he moved stealthily towards the entrance. When he peered cautiously around the timber beam at the entrance he inhaled sharply at the sight before him. He had expected weapons were a possibility but not what was in the cavern. His blood ran cold but he was mesmerised. Two men armed with the same rifle Tommy held were stationed just inside the door, guarding the three men in lab coats and safety glasses who were huddled around the two weapons. At the back of the cavern on the left were stacks of large, rectangular olive-green boxes stamped with a Cyrillic script and the unmistakable 7.62 mm markings of the AK-47. On the right were rocket-propelled grenades and of all things, flame throwers. Most ominously though were the radiation hazard symbols plastered all over the large metal tank in the centre of the room.

Tommy snuck back to Barbara. "Well, how bad is it?"

"Very," he replied soberly, "they have enough rifles, RPGs and flamethrowers to start a small war but worst of all it looks like they're making two dirty bombs."

Barbara swore. "Do you think they are terrorists?"

"Well they are not planning a Sunday stroll in St James Park," he snapped. "I'm sorry but…well imagine what they could do."

"Any indications of what type of terrorists?"

"I didn't stop to ask but there were no obvious signs. No flags or insignia."

"Can we bypass them?"

"The guards face each other but were mainly watching the bombs. I think we can sneak past if we stay hard against the opposite wall. Once we're free we can call in Special Forces."

"Okay. I don't want to mess with those guys and start shooting if there is an arsenal in there."

"No, that could be catastrophic. Will you be okay?" Tommy stroked her face and gave her a loving smile.

"Yeah, I feel dizzy but I'll make it. Once we're passed them how far? And don't lie to me, this time, Tommy."

"About six hundred yards."

"Tommy-yards or real yards?"

He chuckled softly. "Real yards. You go first. I'll cover you with the rifle just in case."

"I love you."

"I know," he said as he kissed her tenderly, "I love you too. We are going to be fine Barbara."

They crept along the wall. Tommy had her bag over his shoulder and the rifle, with the safety-catch off, in his hands. He pointed it nervously at the cavern entrance. He was not sure he could shoot someone at such close range with such a powerful, deadly weapon but as he glanced at Barbara limping along, he knew he would not hesitate. Barbara only had to manage her crutches. The light from the cavern cast a glow only half way across the tunnel. He was confident they were invisible to the guards.

Barbara was trying hard to concentrate on not making a noise. The crutches seemed to cut into her armpits and her wrists ached from bearing her weight. Slowly she moved across the entrance. She had promised herself she would not look but her curiosity was too great. She felt her skin prickle as she saw the cache of weapons. She became determined to get out. The fate of two cities depended on her staying upright and quiet.

Tommy's anxiety rose when Barbara paused. He was worried she might collapse but he could not carry her and fight if they had resistance. He put his hand on her shoulder and gently squeezed. She began to move forward again. It seemed like an hour but when they were in the dark again and could not see the glow of the cavern light, Tommy felt confident enough to stop and re-light a candle. His watch told him it had only taken fifteen minutes. "You did really well Barbara. How are you?" he whispered.

"Hot, exhausted and sore. I just want to get out of here now."

"What if I carry you?"

Barbara was tempted to agree. "I'm too heavy. I wish we still had the wheelbarrow!"

"Nonsense. A fireman's lift for ten minutes will save us time."

"Okay."

After a few more minutes' rest, while they drank more water and ate the last of the chocolate, Tommy hoisted Barbara over his shoulder. They abandoned her bag. Tommy still had the penknife in his pocket and Barbara had stuffed a bottle of water in her coat pocket and zipped it up. He carried the rifle in his left hand and balanced the candle in the hand that was wrapped around her legs.

Blood filled Barbara's head making her feel ill. She gripped her crutches behind him and was grateful to not have to walk. She tried to think about lying somewhere soft with Tommy beside her; somewhere they could make love and sleep, or maybe sleep first and then make love. Her eyes hurt and her head thumped. She closed her eyes and listened to the strained breathing of her partner.

The tunnel sloped up sharply and Tommy began to sweat heavily. His calves and quads burned with the effort but every step he could carry her saved precious time getting out. He began to count his steps. It helped him maintain a cadence and calculate how far they had come. They could both rest when this was over. Now he had to keep Barbara safe and warn the authorities about the weapons.

When Tommy began to see light up ahead he eased Barbara off his shoulder. They leant against the wall until his breathing had calmed. "You okay?" he asked her.

"Yeah, thank you."

"Stay here while I reconnoitre the entrance."

Barbara smiled. Most men would check it out but Tommy was going to reconnoitre. His posh mannerisms had annoyed her once; now she doubted she could live without them. She put her hand on his arm. "Tommy, don't do anything foolish."

He nodded and disappeared. She put her head against the wall and closed her eyes. Within seconds she was asleep.

Tommy crept up to the entrance. The afternoon light was like midday to his eyes. He waited in the shadows watching for almost twenty minutes, adjusting to the light and watching for guards. The entrance was protected by only a rusty old chain-link fence with a padlocked gate, but without any tools, it was as effective as a concrete wall. Tommy contemplated their options as he moved back to Barbara. He could hear her before he saw her. Her snores echoed off the black walls and sounded like a steam train. He shook her awake. "Shh, you're snoring!"

Barbara rubbed her face with her grubby hands, leaving dark streaks across them. "Sorry, I must have fallen asleep. What did you find?"

"Trouble. No sign of guards but there is a fence and it's padlocked."

"So what's the problem?"

"Do you know how hard it is to hit a padlock with a rifle? And the noise will bring those guards running."

"We can pick the lock," she replied with certainty.

"I can't pick...oh, you can?"

"Acton trumps Eton in this one."

Tommy smiled broadly. "Come on then, let's finish this nightmare."

Tommy helped Barbara to the fence and stood by anxiously scanning the tunnel and outside as Barbara took the penknife and selected her tool. A minute or so later Tommy heard a click and Barbara looked up smugly. "Time to go," she told him.

They went through the gate and re-fastened the lock. They were out of the mine but not out of danger. Tommy led Barbara away from the mine entrance. Scrubby trees lined the dirt track that led out onto the tarmac of the winding road Jones had driven them down. "Into the trees," he ordered.

Barbara collapsed onto a patch of fallen leaves. Tommy looked around. "You should be safe here."

"Where are you going?" she asked.

Tommy saw the alarm on her face. It was hard to leave her but he had no choice. "To the other entrance where Jones left his car. You won't make it with that leg. Our phones are there and I can call in help. You have to stay hidden Barbara but I'll leave the rifle with you just in case."

"I can't shoot someone."

"You can if they are going to shoot you. Trust me, Barbara. This is the best way. Just remember to take the safety catch off, here." Tommy sat next to her and pulled her into his arms. "I don't want to leave you." Their kiss was full of fear and promise.

"I know. Just be careful please."

"I will. Now stay out of sight. It will take me at least an hour to get to the car. Then I don't know how long. I will have to take my lead from the Special Forces. It is probably safer for you to stay hidden than for me to come back for you."

"Yeah. I'll be fine Tommy. Here, take the water."

Tommy took a long drink from the bottle and handed it back to her. "That'll do. I love you, Barbara. Think about where in Switzerland you want me to take you after this is all over."

He stood up and took one last look at her huddled in the grass. She looked ill and scared but was putting on a brave face. "Love ya," she said smiling. He smiled back then turned and moved away. If he did not leave now, he never would but there were no alternatives.

He stayed close to the edge of the road as he trotted as fast as he could. His leather shoes were ruined but their stiff heel was unyielding and made running impossible. It took him nearly ninety minutes to reach the car. He found the key in his pocket and rummaged in the glove box for his phone. It seemed to take an eternity to boot up.

There was a police number he could call but with the discoveries he had made and Barbara in danger, he rang Hillier. The Assistant Commissioner listened carefully and then made some calls while Tommy was on hold. "I've informed MI5 and the Army. They are developing a plan. Sit tight and wait. No heroics Tommy. You did the right thing not taking them on."

"Yes, Sir." Tommy heard the distinct undertone of surprise from him boss. He knew Hillier thought he was hot-headed and foolhardy but he was not going to endanger Barbara, not now.

Tommy paced up and down while he waited. Hillier called back about ten minutes later. "They are going to send in a strike team from the Special Services Battalion at Pudsey. It will take about an hour Lynley."

"Thank you, Sir."

"It's nearly over. They are sending an ambulance for Havers too. How was she coping with her injuries?"

"Very well Sir. She's brave. She must have been in terrible pain."

Hillier's voice softened. "Havers is a strong woman Tommy. She will be fine."

"I know…" Just as he said it, he heard the distant report of a rifle. "That was a shot!"

"Tommy, wait. Don't do anything stupid."

Tommy did not hear the instructions. He had shoved the phone in his pocket and started the car.