Many thanks to those who reviewed. Kudos has copyright but Laura and aspects of Jane are mine - so you know who to blame.
Out of London
On leaving Catherine's flat and tripping, almost literally given the state of her ankle, in Erin's stylish wake Jane had been forced to admit to herself that despite her earlier protests to Harry the prospect of retrieving her own clothes was attractive. Jane was realistic enough to know that at her age she couldn't emulate Erin as the Queen of the Grid but she drew the line at risking nomination for the Granny of Grunge award. Strictly speaking of course the noun wasn't applicable and with one child missing and the other estranged whether she'd ever again be addressed as Mum, let alone Gran was becoming increasingly problematical. It was an agonising thought that left her feeling bereft and hollow. Was this what she'd condemned Harry to endure for years with his virtual exclusion from their children's lives? Although that situation had largely been engineered by Robin, taking advantage of the frequently cancelled custody weekends to emphasise to both of her offspring his own superiority in contrast to that of their absent father, he couldn't have done so without her active connivance. It had suited her support this line and now ironically, after years of joining Robin in open disparagement of her ex-husband, she was forced to rely upon all the qualities she'd most hated in Harry, his deviousness, the dark arts practiced in his secret world plus his imperviousness to danger, in their joint efforts to resurrect the tattered remnants of their family unit.
Her introduction to Laura wasn't calculated to cheer her depressed spirits either. The girl looked as if she'd just emerged from university and, judging by her body language, was scared of her own shadow. With her ungroomed lank hair and face, pasty and pale lipped as nature intended, her entire demeanour did not inspire confidence. Introduced by Erin, whose icy clipped speech made it obvious that Laura wasn't on her Christmas card list, Jane had nodded briefly and slipped into the passenger seat with some relief. Once she'd strapped herself in Laura had wasted no time in setting off. The speed at which she tackled the crowded London roads making Jane worry about the state of Erin's underwear. After Laura had thrown the car around a corner for the fifth time, slammed on the brakes twice and then followed that up by swerving dangerously in front of oncoming traffic, Jane, once she'd opened her eyes and ungritted her teeth finally asked: "Er Laura any chance we could go back? I've left something behind."
Her driver looked a trifle peeved as she enquired: "Sorry, I thought you were ready, what have you...?" Laura halted. Jane, guessing that she wasn't sure whether she should ask a potentially personal question finished the sentence for her.
"My stomach. I think I mislaid it about four streets ago."
The instant chastened look on her companion's face made Jane feel uncomfortable. To make amends Jane added consolingly, "Sorry but I'm not used to the speed you spooks work at. I've already had to chide Harry for the same thing."
It would be unfair to say that Laura relaxed but she did slow down slightly as she said in an apologetic tone, "Sorry. My fault Mrs Townsend... it's just Ms Watts told me to hurry and..." The pause implied that she was on the verge of saying something indiscreet but had bitten her tongue in preference. Obviously Laura was worried, indeed the expression on her face approximated to terrified. Considering the speed at which they were still travelling this didn't exactly reassure Jane. Harry must have had his reasons for hand picking Laura as her tour guide but at present they weren't apparent. A further glance revealed that Laura's eyes were at least fixed on the road and she was handling the steering wheel with dexterity. Feeling slightly heartened Jane began to wonder how come Laura had washed up onto the shores of Section D. Did she possess the necessary killer instinct in tandem with her nervous disposition? Jane knew that if they ran into difficulties her life was held in those quivering hands. Laura wasn't the only one feeling apprehensive.
In an ostensibly conversational voice Jane enquired, "Have you worked in Section D for long?"
From Laura's jumpy reaction anyone would have thought that Jane was trawling for state secrets. Then again Jane supposed anything relating to Section D probably was filed under that heading. The silence lingered for a few more seconds before a whispered reply found its way to Jane's ears.
"Sorry...I'm not sure if ..." The words trailed off once more.
"Laura. I have signed the Act and believe me if I'd ever wanted to cause trouble by gossiping I've learnt enough in the last few hours to – ahhh watch it."
This last was the result of Laura taking her eyes off the road to check that Jane was serious, at the precise moment that a tour bus under the stewardship of a driver even madder than Laura decided it owned the road. In an unexpectedly vivacious gesture Laura occupied a couple of seconds waving two fingers at the other culprit in a signal definitely not illustrated in the Highway Code, before slowly responding to Jane's statement.
"Sorry." After a pause she added, "I'm still on probation, it ends next week but I don't think I'll be staying. Sir Harry ...well...he doesn't like me". These last few words were rushed out, followed by Laura sucking her lips as if wishing she could recall them. Jane nearly punched the air; victory, Laura had actually completed a sentence.
"Don't let that spook you. Awful pun I know. He isn't very keen on most people."
"Maybe. But..." Laura halted again. Jane could understand why Harry may find her exasperating, silence might be golden but on occasions a mild degree of loquacity was helpful. Jane could just picture Harry's face as Laura gave a verbal report consisting of halting sentences.
'Well Sir...I followed the suspect...and...well ...sorry but I'm not sure...' Provoking Harry's parade ground roar of, 'Miss Dixon by the time you complete this report World War Three will have finished.'
Not wishing to give unasked for advice on how to handle Harry, 'Let's face it, ultimately I wasn't very successful at coping with him either,' Jane settled for remarking, "Well next week isn't too long to wait. In the meantime Laura if we pass a service station could we stop off? I've not eaten since breakfast."
Her shamefaced companion answered, "Sorry Mrs Townsend..." waiting for her to continue Jane idly began to wonder if this girl would ever stop apologising for her existence. As Laura ploughed on it was apparent that Jane had done her an injustice. "I thought you might be hungry. I brought some sandwiches with me. You'll find them in the glove compartment."
It was Jane's turn to feel abashed as she opened the said compartment to reveal two packets of sandwiches, an apple and a banana. As she did so Laura added "Sorry if it's a bit too much but I wasn't sure what you liked and they did emphasise in training that we must try to eat whenever possible."
Basic Training Manual: Author Harry Pearce: Para 12: Eat when you get the chance; Para 12a Check first that food and drink offered isn't poisoned.
Jane smiled, "Thanks. There will now be short interlude while I feed my face. I'll make sure that Harry knows you thought about this."
Laura looked alarmed at that prospect as she said, "Sorry but would you mind not ... I don't want him to think that ..."
Yet another unfinished sentence as Jane realised that she'd inadvertently put the girl in an awkward position. The least she could do was reassure her.
"Because he'll think you're crawling. Only a fool would try to get around Harry by making friendly with me. I'm not exactly his favourite person either."
"Sorry to sound ungrateful. He thinks I'm a fool anyway. This is the first assignment I've been allowed to do on my own."
The matter of fact way in which Laura said this removed any hint of self pity from her statement. Jane was at a distinct disadvantage, she'd like to soothe Laura's worries away but she had no idea of the basis on which Harry made his staffing decisions. Part of Laura's assumptions didn't ring true to Jane. She knew that Harry didn't suffer fools gladly; admittedly in his eyes a category that embraced most of the human race. Even on a personal level glamorous eye stopping airheads endowed with loose morals and even looser knickers stood no chance with a man who demanded degree level intelligence from even a casual companion. Laura presumably possessed the odd brain cell but if Erin resembled an oil painting, Laura presented as the Grid equivalent of a very pale washed out watercolour. Appraising the girl more thoroughly Jane decided that while aided by a decent hairdresser and some makeup she'd scrub up quite nicely for dressy events the best she could ever lay claim too would be a nondescript prettiness owing more to her youth than her features. Taken in conjunction with her humble mien she'd easily be missed in a crowd. Perhaps that was the reason for her continued employment in Section D. Harry had once mentioned that anonymity was the spy's best friend. All of which, now she considered the issue further, made Jane wonder how on earth the sickeningly good looking Erin and Dimitri had managed to survive undetected, surely their undercover work extended beyond that of being honeytraps.
This was getting awkward, especially since she felt an increasing sympathy for the girl. Jane herself had never quite lacked confidence but she remembered very well her first brush with difficult, bored pupils and her sleepless nights stressing about her ability to do the job. Ironically at its very worst Harry, who had been home working on London based operations, had jollied her along with some sage advice. 'Jane I understand that you want to be liked, we all do. But in some situations you must discriminate between the ringleader and the followers. Do whatever you have to do to discipline the former. And make sure that if anyone leaves the classroom crying it isn't you.' That had of course been in the pre PC era before pupils had been made of their rights, although not alas their responsibilities. Not wanting to say anything rash Jane decided that Laura had provided her with a canteen made excuse not to converse further as she broke open the sandwiches so thoughtfully provided.
Reluctant as she had been to leave their son to Harry's not so tender mercies Jane was thankful for some time to mull over the strange situation she found herself in. The last few hours had been confusing to say the least. How exactly did she feel about having Harry plunged back into her life, or was it the reverse and she'd been plunged back into his? For years she'd retained the image of him as uncaring, emotionally heedless and cursed him for it. Was this the man who during the course of the last few hours had shown such concern for her welfare, sympathy for her professional difficulties and refrained from crowing loudly over her difficulties with Graham? Had Harry the unreliable suddenly transformed himself into Harry the staunch or was her perception governed by the increasingly untenable situation she now found herself in with Robin? The journey back to her home offered her an opportunity to ponder this, or would have done had she not dozed off, lulled combination of car engine purring, warmth, exhaustion and the almost monastic silence of Laura.
Jane wasn't sure how long she'd slept for when she was jerked awake by Laura's sudden braking. At once Laura began to apologise but before she'd got beyond, '"Sorry Mrs Townsend but..., " Jane interrupted with, "First of all my name's Jane, secondly you're owed the apology as I'm the one who so rudely feel asleep." Looking at the familiar lanes they were now driving through Jane added, "Laura we're nearly at my home. Would you park at the far end of the village green rather than my drive? I don't mind carrying my luggage a short distance."
Laura heaved an inward sigh of relief that in her keenness to impress on her first solo mission she'd checked the general layout of the village before heading to Catherine Townsend's flat.
Basic Training Manual; Author Harry Pearce: Para 1: Gather as much Intel as you can before setting off.
As far as she could tell from those great benefactors to the nosey, Google Earth and Street View, Jane resided in a typical commuter village. The centre retained the traditional picture postcard arrangement of ancient church, pub now sprouting Egon Ronay ambitions and stone cottages squarely arranged around a green containing a pair of ancient stocks. Grafted onto this, like Japanese knotweed spreading ever outwards, were several small estates composed mainly of executive homes marketed to socially aspiring townies with pretensions to the squirearchy. The detached house owned by the Tindalls was located on the edge of a small group of ten dwellings arranged in a semi circle close to the village centre.
Knowing that Jane's home was nearby a puzzled Laura replied, "No problem but ..." she halted again. Whatever strengths Laura had revealed in training Jane concluded that interrogation skills were not amongst them and sent up a silent prayer of thanks that Harry had so far failed to tick that box. Personally Jane wasn't looking forward to his unleashing the full gamut of that particular talent when demanding an explanation pertaining to Graham's references vis a vis his stepfather. For now, in answer to Laura's hanging question, Jane resolved to give a half truth, something she was rapidly becoming expert at.
"It's my next door neighbour. She keeps an eye on the house when it's unoccupied but she always wants a good chat about what I've been doing when I return. She's a lovely lady, she and her husband moved here to retire but she's recently widowed with no family and lonely. Normally I'm happy to talk but today I want to get back to Har... London as quickly as possible." 'Keen to get back to Harry! I need a shrink. '
Thankfully Laura nodded her understanding. "Yes my Mum has someone like that across the road. She says it's a bit like having a benign stalker." Presented with a mission Laura suddenly seemed to grow in stature as she straightened up in her seat and crisply enquired, "What's the plan then?"
Watching the previously apologetic Laura abruptly snap into what Jane was beginning to identify as spook mode was fascinating. Jane recognised at once the chameleon qualities she'd seen in Harry over the course of their marriage, the sudden suspension of normal thoughts and emotions in pursuit of...well she'd never quite worked that one out, ...the greater good displayed by duping others!...as she'd remarked to Erin earlier she never had understood that mindset. Laura's transformation made her realise Harry's excuses when confessing to his affair with Juliet might well have contained a kernel of truth. Not that she was absolving him retrospectively, after that betrayal she'd never trusted him out of her sight, or in it, especially if he happened to be talking to an attractive woman.
"Jane, it isn't that I don't love and value you, but you simply don't understand my working world. Juliet is part of that. There's a reason why the Service encourages us not to date outsiders. You are the only important woman in my life and I admit I was a fool."
"For God's sake Harry don't pull the 'my wife doesn't understand me' routine because I understand you all too well. You never even thought about me when your bloody boss offered you intimate access to her personal assets. And it was your choice to marry an outsider, not mine you patronising shit."
A slight cough from Laura consigned these recollections back to the past, where for now Jane thought they should safely remain. The plan ...right, okay!
"Laura when we arrive I'll tell you where to park on the green. The house is in an enclosed new estate built slightly up the hill. We can use the side access, get my clothes and leave without anyone seeing." Looking ahead Jane recognised the outskirts of the village, waving her hand she indicated the far side of the slightly muddy and trampled green. "Over there. That small path from the corner leads up to side of the house."
Laura was slightly dubious. Although memories from her research suggested that Jane's plan was possible, she wasn't sure, given the design of Jane's estate, that they would remain undetected. However as the consequences of ignoring her terrifying boss's equally formidable ex-wife were distinctly unappealing she decided to acquiesce and pulled up in the area indicated, checking carefully that the positioning would allow some choice of direction should an unanticipated quick getaway be in order.
Basic Training Manual: Author Harry Pearce: Para 15: If possible ensure you have more than one means of exit.
By the time she'd emerged from the vehicle and locked it up Jane was striding as quickly as her ankle allowed towards the small stone path that at first glance led nowhere. The second glance revealed that it stretched over a pack horse bridge spanning a meandering brook and then into a wider lane which had in bygone years provided a panaromic view across open country but now sported high solid fences along one side, obviously intended to deter the curious. Laura already knew that Jane and her husband owned the house nearest to them but looking at the height of the barrier she wondered how they were supposed to access the property from the rear. Pole vaulting, unaccountably, did not feature on MI5's training courses. Momentarily distracted she suddenly realised with alarm that she'd lost sight of Jane, but then spied a small trodden path along the side fence. About half way down the fencing was broken by small doorway bearing a keypad into which Jane was punching some numbers.
The gate opened into a back garden, featuring a well manicured lawn complete with central water feature, not currently flowing, narrow borders dulled with the onset of autumn and a number of patio pots positioned in front of the full length sitting room windows. Laura thought it breathed boring and bland good taste minus any sense of individuality. Even that ultimate in kitsch, a garden gnome squatting on a toadstool, would have suggested that the householders took some personal interest in their sylvan surroundings. The impression of detachment was reinforced when Jane passed through without even a cursory glance at the few plants still in flower. It seemed to Laura that her companion's attention was focussed solely upon making a quick entry and an equally quick exit. Even allowing for anxiety over her daughter's whereabouts Laura would have expected Jane to express some relief at arriving in familiar surroundings after the experiences of the last twenty four hours. At the kitchen door Jane finally halted and looked expectantly at Laura who was already poised, bit between her teeth and picklock in hand.
"The lock is a Yale, can you get in?" Laura smiled. It was nice to feel wanted and even better to be invited to put her carefully acquired skills into action. "I hope so or MI5 have wasted a fair few pounds on training." With that she cautiously inserted the instrument, gave it an expert turn and with a click, behold, they had access. Jane made mental note to get a bolt fixed when she finally returned but for now she pushed at the door and trudged into the kitchen.
Once inside Jane quickly assessed her situation. 'No sign of Robin arriving back early thank goodness'. Hoping that her anxious look hadn't given her away she turned to Laura. "Make yourself a cup of tea if you like. I'll slip upstairs and pack a bag."
Laura felt obliged to ask, "The neighbour?"
"Won't hear anything but if you go into the sitting room stay towards the back, the blinds are half pulled but she might see movement in which case she'll be over and we'll be stuck here until midnight."
Once Jane had disappeared Laura decided to decline the offer of tea and instead examine the place, partly as practice for her spying skills and chiefly because she felt that something here wasn't quite right.
Basic Training Manual: Author Sir Harry Pearce: Para 8: Note any clues to the subject's interests, family etc this may prove useful.
The visual exercise took her all of about three minutes, the sitting room was comfortable, expensively furnished and for a home occupied by two educated adults curiously impersonal, no photographs, no CD's or books on display, decor in studiously neutral colours. If she hadn't known better she'd have thought it was part of a hotel suite. Like the garden it lacked any sense of life. Perhaps Jane kept all the clutter upstairs or filed it in the double garage attached to the property. Wondering if she could help Jane she wandered into the hallway. A few pieces of post lay on the mat; Jane might want to peruse them. As Laura bent to pick them up she gave the papers a cursory scan. The total correspondence consisted of two bills, a postcard and a flier offering a cut price session of colonic irrigation advertised with the classy slogan 'Remove the pooh for a sparkling you'. Considering the subject matter Laura thought the sludge brown lettering was an unfortunate colour choice. As she turned the papers over in her hands noises from upstairs suggested that Jane wasn't exactly lingering over her packing. Laura could trace the activity via the tread of her footsteps from bathroom to bedroom and back again. Then another sound reached her ears, that of an engine driving past. Oh dear not the neighbours. No more than Jane did she want to be held up. Erin Watts had made her expectations plain when giving Laura her orders, 'make it quick, keep your mouth shut and if you tell Mrs Townsend anything at all about Sir Harry's private life I'll make sure you never set foot in Thames House again'. Laura, although expecting her P45 from Sir Harry any day now, desperately wanted to stay in Section D. Blow this operation and she'd be regarding the last Intel analyst as lucky: at least she'd survived to be delivered to Tring, albeit as a quivering wreck.
Basic Training Advice: Author: Everyone employed in MI5, MI6, CO19 and the Home Office: Do not provoke Sir Harry into erupting.
Absentmindedly shoving Jane's post into her pocket Laura crept into the back of the sitting room and glanced towards the window – discerning the shadow of a car seemed to be parked outside. The mirror over the fireplace part reflected the image, striped by the blinds, of a large dark vehicle with tinted windows. Had the neighbour suddenly acquired a visitor? At this moment Jane clattered downstairs carrying a couple of bulging holdalls.
Turning her head Laura said, "I think your neighbour might be occupied – she has company."
"Well that's a first – she rarely does –hmm an expensive car as well." Jane was about to approach the window when Laura pulled her back. "Wait."
'If it's a break from the normal pattern it's wise to check.' 'Basic Training Manual: Author Harry Pearce: Para 18.'
"Can I go upstairs?" She didn't wait for assent but moved quickly. About twenty seconds later she reappeared. "Jane I don't like this - the car is just sitting. I think we're being staked out. What time do you normally arrive home?"
"Usually just a little later than now. Why?"
"I think the men in that car are waiting for you."
Jane nearly laughed in Laura's face. Then she reconsidered, Harry had been taking scrupulous care with her security, she'd wondered if he was being over protective but maybe he was right. After all he'd survived this long in a high risk profession despite the best, or worst efforts, of the KGB, CIA, IRA and various high profile criminals to play Terminator.
"Well Laura, any ideas, even creeping out by the side we'll run the risk of being seen. And I don't fancy sitting here tamely waiting to be taken."
Laura considered and then asked, "Anyone around here who might be in at the moment?"
Jane nearly snapped her irritation at being asked such a silly question before remembering that Laura was a spook, presumably being trained by Harry and therefore not likely in an emergency to be distracted by trivia.
"Yes number nine. She's usually accidentally adjusting her net curtains when anyone passes by. It seems to be a fifty times a day task."
Laura began to splutter before managing to ask,"and the owner's name?"
"Mrs Perfect Children." Laura just continued to stare, "Alright, Mrs Emma Winnick."
Laura quickly pulled out her phone, dialled 999 and in a totally different voice, one of a woman terrified to the point of hysteria began to scream. "Officer, I've seen two strange men in a car just up the road. One of them has just exposed himself and is now making threatening gestures with a knife." Jane heard the soothing voice of the operator going though the usual questions. Having departed not a jot from the frightened persona she'd assumed Laura proceeded to give the address and name of Jane's esteemed neighbour before ringing off with a satisfied grin.
"Got your bags Jane? Right give me one and when the police arrive we get out asap."
Jane wasn't about to argue as she passed one bag to Laura. She did wonder though if the police would take the call seriously. This she reflected was getting dangerous. If she had time to think, she'd be terrified, although in a strange way she also felt a thrill of excitement at the prospect of outwitting the enemy, whoever they were. Nothing and no one was going to get in the way of her main priority of getting back to London and her family – family Graham and Harry! She'd worry about her mental state later, at present she just hoped her treacherous ankle would hold out.
While they waited Laura asked curiously, "Sorry to seem nosey, but your nickname for Mrs Winnick?"
Jane groaned wearily, "I had the dubious pleasure of teaching her children. According to her they both illuminate the institution that educates them by their very presence and should be top of the G&T register."
"Er sorry what's that?"
"My turn to apologise, teachers' jargon. G&T is shorthand for Gifted and Talented, although the alcoholic version was roughly what I felt in crying need of after attempting to teach either of them. According to Mum young Tamara combines the skills Kate Winslet, Katherine Jenkins and Darcy Bussell. Only there was one small problem."
"Which was?"
"Can't sing, can't dance but I'll give her that she's got a limited acting ability, she does the injured innocent to perfection." Jane drew a quick breath before continuing, "At least I didn't have to try to teach Crispin, that's the boy, the violin. Five years of effort and according to my colleague it still sounded like a strangled cat. You don't often see a grown man in tears."
Laura's lips twitched slightly. "Not so gifted and talented then."
"It's relative. They are both tremendously gifted at whining. If any teacher breathed over them, let alone attempted to discipline the pair Mum was up to school complaining that we didn't understand her sensitive little cherubs."
The distant wail of a siren informed them that the time for movement was arriving. The sound cut out as the police car drew nearer but the partial vision reflected onto the mirror told them that the navy blue uniforms were moving towards the watchers. Laura with a twitch of her head indicated to Jane that they should go. Creeping very carefully through the kitchen and closing the door quietly they hurried through the garden and out into the lane. Even at that distance the sounds of an argument carried over the crisp autumn air. Judging by the angry exchanges it seemed likely that the men in shades would be delayed for sometime. Speedily, with Jane resolutely ignoring the pain in her ankle they hurried to the car. Opening the doors they threw in both themselves and the holdalls. Laura hastily strapped herself in and then rammed the key into the ignition. As the engine roared into life the now customary unfinished apology also began. "Sorry Jane..."
God, the girl had just got them away from danger very efficiently, what on earth was she apologising for this time? Jane was tempted to ask her but waited with interest to hear Laura's next words.
"You may want to hang onto your stomach." With that Laura stamped on the accelerator and roared out of the village at a speed Concorde might have envied.
Basic Training Manual: Author Harry Pearce: Para 60: If in danger ignore the speed limit and get back to base.
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