Chapter 9

An Unexpected Phone Call

Northumberland Place.

Notting Hill.

London.

The TARDIS slowly materialised in John's basement workshop, and Rose stepped out first.

['Afternoon you two,'] Donna-The-House called out.

'Hiya Donna,' Rose called back as John closed the door. 'Where're the kids?'

['Jules is in the gym, practising her gymnastic moves, and the boys are in the pool.']

'Thanks,' Rose replied, and left the workshop, heading into the transdimensional, basement extension. She went through the archway into the Olympic sized swimming pool area. 'Hi EJ, Jason. You two alright?'

'Hi Mum,' they called back. 'We're fine.'

'You'll never guess who I've had a phone call from, EJ.' Rose teased.

'Ah. I bet I can, Mum. Was it the headmaster by any chance?'

'Well done. Yes it was. And can you guess what it was about?'

'A video on social media?'

'Right again. Apparently someone videoed . . .' Rose's phone chimed for her attention. She took her phone out and checked the announcements. It was Helen, the mother of EJ's friend, Josh. She'd shared the video with their group on FaceBlog. 'And there it is. Shall we go and look at it?'

'We've already seen it,' Jason informed her.

'Well, me and yer dad haven't. Maybe y'could give us a runnin' commentary?' EJ knew that tone of voice. He wasn't in trouble, but they did want an explanation.

'OK, Mum.'

They climbed out of the pool and walked through a free standing arch, which glowed red as they did so. As they stepped out of the arch, they were completely dry, including their swimming shorts. They pulled on their tracksuits, and followed her out of the pool area. They met Juleshka coming out of the gym, wearing her pink and grey, patterned leotard.

'Hi Sweetheart. You OK?' Rose asked in greeting.

'Fine, Mum. I've been practicing on the beam . . . You going to watch the video?' she asked, reading the situation.

'Yer've seen it as well, have ya?'

'Kinda hard not to. It's all over social media.'

'We'd better go and have a look then,' John said from the foot of the stairs. 'Last one up buys the popcorn,' he joked and hurried up the stairs.

Donna-The-Robot came out of the kitchen as they entered the hallway and headed for the Living Room. 'Donna? Would you sync my phone to the TV please?' Rose asked.

['No problem, Rose,'] Donna-The-Robot replied. ['Yer gonna watch the video are ya?']

Rose and John looked at each other, and then Rose looked at Donna. 'Don't tell me yer've watched it as well?'

Donna-The-Robot shrugged her shoulders. ['Kinda hard not to when yer networked to the internet.']

Rose rolled her eyes. 'Well now it's our turn. Can y'play the video please, Donna.'

['No problem.']

They all sat down on the sofa and chairs as the phone recorded video started to play. They saw EJ take off his backpack and hand it out to Josh. Then EJ took off his tie and undid the top button of his shirt. He put the tie in his blazer pocket, before slipping the blazer off his shoulders and holding that out for Liam to hold, EJ stepped forward, closed his eyes, took a deep breath, brought his hands up in front of his face with the palms down, and pushed his hands downwards as he breathed out.

'Nice preparation, Son.' John said.

They heard EJ say he wasn't going to fight, and Darren reply that he was. They watched as EJ spread his arms in invitation, saying"'Knock yourself out . . . Literally". Price then lunged forwards, throwing a right hook at EJ's head and spun in a circle with the force of the missed punch, falling against the wall. EJ calmly moved around and stood with his back to the opposite wall. "We could still talk", they heard him say.

'Well done,' Rose said, leaning over and kissing the top of his head.

They heard Price threaten him again and start throwing jabs at EJ's head. When none of them landed, Price became visibly frustrated and threw a barrage of punches at EJ's head. EJ raised his hands, and made contact with Price's wrists, where they weaved around like a pair of cobra snakes, deflecting and controlling Price's attacks. It was like watching a scene from the Matrix.

'Nice handwork, Son,' John said with admiration.

'John!' Rose said, with a hint of annoyance. 'It would have been better if he hadn't needed that handwork.' John looked suitably admonished.

'Er, yes. Right. So, what caused all this then, Son?' John asked.

EJ proceeded to explain the lunchtime encounter. What Darren had done and said; what Becky had said, and what he had said.

Rose held EJ's hand. 'I can see how y'thought makin' a joke out of it might have calmed things down a bit, but can y'see how it might have sounded to Darren?' she asked, playing devil's advocate.

'Yeah. Now I think about it, it probably sounded a bit sarcastic,' EJ agreed.

'I don't know, it made me laugh,' Jason told them. John and Juleska sniggered.

'Not helpin',' Rose told him.

'But Mum,' EJ started.'Sometimes, people like Darren want to provoke a reaction, and they won't stop until they've got one. And that's when they've won.'

Rose opened her mouth to reply, and then closed it again. Once again, her eleven year old son had demonstrated a wisdom beyond his years, acquired through a kind of psychic osmosis from his father.

John smiled. 'He's got you there, Love.'

Rose nodded. Quietly she spoke as she remembered a cafe on the Powell Estate. 'You don't just let things happen . . . You make a stand. You say no. You have the guts to do what's right when everyone else just runs away.'

'That's it Mum,' EJ agreed. 'If I hadn't have stood up to him, he would just carry on being nasty to everyone. At least now he realises that people didn't like the way he was treating them, but were too afraid of him to say anything.'

Rose smiled at him, put her arm around his shoulders, and pulled him in close. 'I am SO proud of you.' She looked at the other two children. 'We're proud of all of you.'

John smiled and nodded in agreement. 'Well, I think that's sorted then. I think we can present a united front at the meeting tomorrow.'

'Meeting?' EJ asked.

'Yeah. You, me and yer dad are meetin' with the headmaster and Darren and his parents, after school,' Rose informed him.

'Oh. Yeah, OK.'

'Right, now that's sorted,' John said, rubbing his hands together, 'tell us about this Becky.'

EJ blushed. 'She's just a friend.'

'EJ's got a girlfriend,' Juleshka sing-songed teasingly.

'Have not,' EJ protested. 'Mum, tell her . . .'

Rose had a smile on her lips. 'Juleshka, stop teasing yer brother . . . So, what's "yer friend" like then?'

'She's smart. I mean really smart. She gets physics . . . that's how we became friends.'

'Attractive?' John asked.

'I suppose,' EJ muttered. 'Hadn't really noticed. She's got nice hair though.'

'Nice hair?' Juleshka asked.

'Yeah, it's red.'

John's eyes lit up. 'Ginger! Ooh I like her already.'

'OK everyone,' Rose said, sensing her son's embarrassment. 'So EJ's got a really smart friend . . . who happens to be a girl. Let's leave it at that, eh?'

Everyone agreed that they'd teased him enough. EJ looked up at his mother. 'Thanks Mum.'

Rose just smiled at him and winked. She stood up and slipped off her jacket. 'Right, I'm goin' to get changed and have a workout in the gym before dinner.'

And everyone went about their normal afternoon activities. John went to his workshop to work on a project he would be completing on Saturday, when Donna Templeton came to visit. The boys went back to the pool, and Juleshka went back to her gymnastics. Rose joined her daughter in the gym, wearing a magenta Lycra crop top and leggings. She went over to the high tech, interactive version of the Wing Chun wooden dummy, to practice her martial arts moves, only it was not wooden, and was certainly no dummy when it came to unarmed combat.

As it was the last day of the eight to four shift for Blue Watch, various members of the Watch were at the Torchwood local pub, The Henry Addington, named after the First Viscount of Sidmouth and one-time British Prime Minister. It was on Mackenzie Walk, a dockside terrace with views of Canary Wharf across Middle Dock, and just a five minute walk from the Institute. It served local cask ales, along with seasonal and regional real ales from nine, traditional hand-pulled pumps on the bar.

There were cosy leather chairs inside, but the Watch were sitting at tables on the terrace outside, enjoying the warm summer afternoon. Special Operations commander, Andy McNab was there with his deputy, Duncan Prescott who was with his partner Doctor Marla Jones. Jake Simmonds and his partner Sarah Green had joined them, along with Craig Rimmer, Stuart Sinclair, Gwen O'toole, Pete Davies and Clive Simpson.

During the hubbub of conversation, Andy's phone rang and he took it out of his pocket, looking at the display. There weren't many people who knew his mobile phone number as he only gave it to people he knew he could trust, or people he thought might need his help. The name on the display belonged to one of the latter. He answered the call.

'Gary, what can I do for you?' He was expecting the fifteen year old Gary Ansell to answer. Gary had been kidnapped by The Forge six months ago to lure Andy into a trap, and would have been killed if it hadn't been for the brilliance of Doctor John Smith.

['Is your name Andy?'] an adult male voice with an Asian accent asked.

'Who's asking, and where's Gary?' Andy enquired. The members of the Watch heard the menace in Andy's voice and looked in his direction.

['I'm a police officer. Constable Patel. I'm afraid Gary has been involved in a fight and been injured. Your name was at the top of the contacts list on the phone.']

'How bad are his injuries?' Andy asked the officer.

'Injuries?' Stuart asked, but Andy put his hand up to hold off any questions.

['The paramedics are with him at the moment. He's sustained some stab injuries to his torso. They're getting him ready to take to Saint George's A & E.']

'Okay officer Patel. My name is Captain Andy McNab. I lead the Special Operations Unit at the Torchwood Institute. I take it you are familiar with the joint Torchwood-police protocols?'

['Er, yes Captain. Although I've never been asked to implement them,'] the constable replied.

'Well, now's your chance. Contact your desk sergeant and tell him to check my authorisation code.'

['Hold on please. I'll just get him on the radio . . . Sergeant? I need you to check a Torchwood authorisation code . . . Okay Captain, go ahead.']

'My authorisation is McNab, Andrew. One nine eight zero. Torchwood zero one.'

[' . . . Torchwood zero one,'] Andy heard the officer repeat. ['Okay. Thanks Sarge . . . Captain McNab, what do you need?']

'I need you to redirect the ambulance to One Canada Square at Canary Wharf. I'll have a trauma team waiting for them.'

['Right you are sir. They're just loading him onto the ambulance now. I'll give them an escort to make sure there are no hold ups.']

'Thank you constable. That's much appreciated.' Andy ended the call and called the Dispatch Office in Special Operations.

['Captain McNab? Is there a problem?'] White Watch Dispatch Officer Rick Bryce asked as he answered the call.

'There's an ambulance blue lighting a casualty to the Tower as we speak. Contact A & E and ask them to get a trauma team ready to meet the ambulance in the basement.'

['I'm on it Boss. Which agent is it?'] Rick asked in concern.

'It's a civilian. A juvenile with stab wounds to the torso. He's sort of my responsibility.'

['Understood. They'll be ready and waiting.']

'Thanks Rick. McNab out.'

'Boss?' Duncan asked.

'Remember that lad who was kidnapped by Hartman to make me think it was Tony Tyler?' Andy said.

'Yeah. Tough, homeless lad.'

'He's been stabbed. I've got to get back to the Tower,' Andy said.

'I'm coming with you,' Marla told him.

Andy, Duncan and Marla hurriedly downed their drinks, said their goodbyes and hurried along Mackenzie Walk towards Cubitt Steps which would take them up to South Colonnade and on to Torchwood Tower. They could hear sirens in the distance and presumed it was the ambulance approaching the Isle of Dogs.

The Office of The Home Secretary.

Houses of Parliament.

James Montgomery, the Home Secretary, was a slightly built man in his late forties. His physical appearance was marked by grey, receding hair, giving an impression of both wisdom and the stress that accompanied his significant responsibilities. His thin features, dominated by an aquiline nose and accentuated by thick-rimmed glasses, lent him an owl-like appearance, suggesting a sharp, observant nature. His office was a well-organised space that balanced functionality with a sense of authority and security, reflecting his role in overseeing domestic affairs.

David Clark, the Under Secretary for Immigration and Border Security entered the office with a stack of reports. The office was spacious and well-lit, with large windows that offered a view of the government complex and gardens. 'Good afternoon, Home Secretary. I have the quarterly defence and security updates for you.'

James Montgomery looked up from his large, sturdy oak desk. 'Ah, David, right on time as always. Please, have a seat.' He gestured to the chair in front of his desk.

Clark sat down, and placed the reports on the desk, next to high-end computer setup, a landline phone with multiple lines, and a digital assistant device. 'Thank you, sir. There's also something else I'd like to discuss, something I believe is of utmost importance for our national security.'

Montgomery raised an eyebrow. 'Go on.'

'It's about Torchwood. I've been making some . . . discrete inquiries and what I've found is deeply concerning. Though many of their activities are often filmed for their television show, many others are shrouded in secrecy and may pose a significant threat to our sovereignty and transparency.'

Montgomery frowned. 'Torchwood has been an asset to the government in the past. Look how they uncovered C4 in the Defence Office.'

'I know, but I'm suggesting that we consider the potential risks they pose. Unchecked power, advanced alien technology, operating beyond our oversight . . . It's a recipe for disaster. We need to bring this to the attention of the Cabinet, perhaps even the President.'

Montgomery leaned back in his high-backed leather chair. 'The Torchwood Director had regular monthly meetings with the former president, and President Beech is keen for that to continue. Are you suggesting Torchwood will try to influence the president?'

'I believe that is a possibility, and that their influence should be minimized. All I need is your support to bring this to the Cabinet's attention,' Clark said.

Montgomery nodded slowly. 'Very well. I'm visiting Torchwood tomorrow with the President, so I can assess the situation. Prepare your case and we'll discuss it further at the next meeting.'

At the barriers to the underground car park of Torchwood Tower, Constable Patel spoke into the intercom, explaining they had been sent by Captain McNab. Rick Bryce had notified security to expect an ambulance and they were fast tracked through to the elevators at the centre of the building, following green LED lights in the roadway.

A group of people in theatre blues met the ambulance as it came to a stop. One of the paramedics started the hand over.

'This is Gary Ansell. Fifteen years old. Assaulted by several individuals and has sustained knife wounds to his lateral, right upper quadrant, posterior left lower chest with reduced air entry, and a puncture wound to his anterior left thigh. We've applied pressure dressings to the wounds and got cannulas in each arm. He's had five hundred millilitres of Hartmanns. His cardiac output is good and he's maintaining his blood pressure. Sats are a hundred percent on fifteen litres per minute of oxygen. '

Trauma surgeon, Stuart Lancaster accepted the treatment sheets from the paramedic. 'Thank you for that. Okay, let's get some more Hartmanns into him while we cross match him for blood.' They moved towards the elevator. 'We need a trauma CT scan for possible heamothorax, lacerated liver and perforated femoral artery,' he continued as the doors closed.

The silence of the car park was a stark contrast to the pandemonium of moments ago. The paramedics and Constable Patel just looked at each other and a Torchwood security officer approached them wearing pale camouflage patterned fatigues.

'Thanks for getting him here so quickly. If you follow the green lights, they'll lead you back to the exit,' he said to the paramedics. 'Constable Patel?'

'Yes. That's right,' Patel replied.

'Captain McNab was wondering if he could have a word about the details of the attack.'

'Oh. Right. Yes, of course.'

They stepped into the waiting lift and the guard selected the second floor.

'Do you know what the story is with the Captain and this lad?' Patel asked as the lift ascended.

'Not a clue. But I've known Andy for years, and I can tell you this. If Andy's taken an interest in him, he'll be alright.'

'How do you mean?'

'Andy's the person you want to have your back. This kid must be something special.'

Before the constable could pursue the subject further, the lift "dinged" and the doors opened on the hospital reception. To the left of the lifts was a wide, automatic sliding door which led to the Emergency And Trauma Department, with Critical Care adjacent to it. The security guard led him through the sliding doors, and found Andy and Duncan by the nurses station.

'Captain. This is Constable Patel,' the guard said.

'Thanks Chris.' Andy held out his hand to officer Patel. 'Andy. Thank you for agreeing to speak to me.'

'Prash. No problem. It's nice to put a face to the voice,' the officer replied.

Andy led him to a row of comfortable seats against a wall and sat down. 'Do you know what happened to Gary?'

'From what we can ascertain from eye witnesses and CCTV, he was set upon by a gang of youths near a block of flats. We suspect it might be drug related,' Prash told him.

Andy groaned and wiped his hand down his face. 'Drugs. Dammit. I thought he was smarter than that . . . Do we know who the gang are?'

'A local group of troublemakers. Into drug dealing, burglary, car theft. The usual. From what some of the witnesses were saying though, I think your young friend was trying to get away from them. As though he didn't want anything to do with them.'

'So they were trying to make him an offer he couldn't refuse,' Andy said. 'And when he did refuse, they stabbed him.'

'We haven't had a chance to interview him yet, but that's what it looks like, yes.'

'Okay. When he's up to it I'll get one of the legal team to interview him and we'll send you a transcript,' And said. 'Thanks for your help.'

'All part of the job,' Prash replied. 'Do we know how he is?'

'He's in the CT scanner at the moment. I guess we'll know when he gets out.'

As Andy said that, Marla came through the double doors from Resus and approached.

'The radiologist has given a verbal report and it's not as bad as it could have been. He's got a pneumothorax, but no blood in the chest cavity. The knife missed the femoral artery by a fraction of an inch, but he has a lacerated liver. He'll need to go to theatre to have it stitched up.'

'So he's going to be alright?' Andy asked her.

Marla smiled. 'He's young and fit, if a bit malnourished. But yeah, he should be fine.'

'Great,' Andy said with relief. 'Thanks Marla.'

'Captain. Can I ask you what this boy is to you?' Prash asked.

Andy looked at him with a lopsided smile. 'He got caught up in a mission a few months ago. An innocent bystander who was used and abused. I suppose he got under my skin. To be honest, I think he reminds me of myself when I was his age.'

'He's being prepped for surgery at the moment, but you can see him before he goes if you'd like,' Marla said.

'Yeah. I'd like that,' Andy told her. He shook Prash's hand. 'Thanks again for all your help. We'll let you know how it turns out.'

'Good luck,' Prash said as Marla led Andy into Resus.

Gary was lying on a stretcher, with a tube in his chest which was reinflating his lung, tubes supplying blood, fluids, and drugs into his body. A cardiac monitor was beeping regularly, showing a trace on a screen along with blood pressure and oxygen saturation.

'Andy,' Gary whispered through the oxygen mask as he and Marla approached. 'I didn't expect to see you here.'

Andy gave a single laugh. 'I work in the building, and fortunately for you, my name begins with an "A". It was at the top of your contacts list on your phone.'

'Not difficult when you only have a couple of names stored on your phone,' Gary replied with a laugh which turned into a cough.

'Easy there son. You're only breathing on one lung at the moment,' Andy told him.

'So this is Torchwood? I thought I was in hospital,' Gary said.

'This whole floor is a hospital,' Marla explained. 'And it's better equipped than any other hospital on the planet.'

Gary looked into Andy's eyes. 'Andy. I didn't . . . They wanted me to . . . I told them to fuck off and leave me alone.'

Andy reached for his hand and squeezed it. 'Hey. It's okay. I know.'

A doctor approached with a clipboard in his hand. 'Okay Gary. we've run all the checks and you're fit for the anaesthetic. I'm going to give you a premed which will make you drowsy, and then we can go and get you stitched up. Is that okay with you?'

'Yeah. Sounds good to me, Doc,' Gary replied.

'We'll leave you to it,' Andy said. 'See you later.'

'See you later,' Gary replied. 'Hey. Andy.' Andy turned back to look at him. 'Thanks man.'

Andy smiled and nodded before turning and leaving Resus.

'You and Duncan should go back and enjoy your evening,' Andy told Marla.

'Are you going to be okay?'

'Yeah. I'm going to hang around until he's out of surgery.'