“I think as the General said, midnight to six, no, make that five-thirty, and I would still like that revised offensive reducing the number of officers and military on duty during the night, in order to increase deployment during the day,” Andrew stated, looking at Lowston, Beston and Chivers as he spoke.
“And just to be absolutely clear, we would be looking at targeting more manpower in the towns and cities than in the benefit’s estates?” Lowston asked.
Andrew stopped for a moment, and then answered, “Yes we would.”
*****
Nigel
“Well, what do you think?” Andrew asked him.
“I think you’re doing everything the country could possibly ask of you, and a bit more besides,” Nigel replied.
“Doesn’t feel like it, christ what a mess.” Andrew rubbed his face as he spoke and then sat down at his desk, Nigel took his place opposite.
“You look a bit more rested than yesterday.”
“Yep, took your advice and grabbed an hour in the afternoon, made all the difference,” Andrew replied.
“You should do the same today.”
“I can’t, budget meeting this afternoon.”
“You are in the middle of a crisis, more so than any Prime Minister has had to deal with, since, probably the miner’s strike. You are allowed to ease up on other things in order to prioritise your time. Let your Deputy manage this afternoon,” Nigel argued.
“Yeah, maybe,” Andrew replied.
“Not maybe, do it, delegate more.”
“And face criticism from the Party for not being able to cope?”
Nigel conceded the point. “Damned if you do…”
“I hope this works. Soldiers on the streets, curfews, I don’t know mate, was this really what we signed up for?”
“In some ways yes, in many others, no. But look to Europe Andrew we’re not alone, the same situation is playing out all over the continent, America too, the insurgents are united perhaps it’s time the governments were too.”
“In what way?”
“Well, a single, no-nonsense response. Let’s face it, no-one wanted to be the first to introduce troops on their streets, or to set up blockades, and now it’s the same with curfews, everyone’s thinking about it, investigating it, wondering how it will affect their popularity, but everyone’s waiting for someone else to set the precedent.”
“Maybe,” Andrew replied, but Nigel could see the idea taking root, just as it would be in so many leaders’ heads this very day; it was a whisper brushing the neck and shivering down the spine, words, powerful words creeping toward the right ears.
“There is power in numbers Andrew, even if some of those numbers are French,” Nigel stated, adding in a slight grimace for effect.
“It’s worth a discussion.”
“Time however is not on your side, Europe will need a strong leader to push through the necessary action.”
And right in front of him Andrew seemed to sit up a little straighter in his seat.
*****
“That’s the great emergency, Ruby being suspended from work?” Nigel asked.
“It’s just as well one of us wasn’t lying dying in some hospital somewhere, considering I phoned you almost twenty-four hours ago,” his mother retorted.
“I am rather busy at the moment,” Nigel replied, did his mother never look beyond her own little world?
“Always full of excuses, just like your father, any reason not to take part in this family.”
The sound of sobbing throbbed down the phone, Nigel winced and moved the receiver a little further from his ear.
“I don’t think that is entirely fair, but I shall try and find time to phone Ruby. Although what comfort you think that will give my sister, I don’t know.”
“Just phone Ruby, for once can you think of someone but yourself and Andrew.”
The phone went dead, and Nigel thanked god for truly small mercies.
So, his sister had been suspended, a smart move, and one that would have required the partners cooperation. Nigel wondered whether that had been gained voluntarily or otherwise; the scope and influence of the machine he worked in was truly huge. How many members of the cabinet were working to reinforce its influence, how many men of business and power marched to the same tune? He felt both connected and isolated from the world; he could sit in the same room as someone like himself, recruited and groomed from an early age and look upon him as the enemy, never knowing if they served the same end or were set to oppose it.
He picked up the phone, it rang a long time before his sister answered. She sounded a little drunk.
“Yes Nigel, what do you want?”
“Mother rang me and-”
“Oh for god’s sake,” Ruby interrupted him. “So now you’re going to offer me some advice, some comfort?”
“Not especially, she asked me to ring, so I am doing so. Otherwise she will keep on contacting me until I do,” Nigel replied, if his sister was in one of those moods, he was not going to offer himself up as target practice.
“Well, your conscience is clear, although I doubt you and your lot have one, so you can leave me alone.”
She was slurring her speech, and his sister could more than handle her alcohol so she’d obviously consumed a lot.
“Do you want to tell me what happened or shall we say goodbye now?” Nigel enquired.
Silence, he was just about to hang up when she finally spoke.
“My partners do not want me to work on a case, even though a few days ago they agreed to me doing so as long as it didn’t interfere with my other work, but now they don’t because they’re spineless arseholes.”
“Very lucidly put, so what will you do about it?” Nigel asked, as he willed her to hurry up so he that he could get back to work.
“Well, you tell me, who do I let down? The people you lot are trying to ground into the muck and step on or the other people you lot are screwing over, those my partners would like me to represent…or whatever.”
“Quite.” Nigel had nothing to add.
“Is that it? Thanks for the help and advice.”
This time the phone went dead, thank god, he feared she was going to ramble on forever.
*****
Sir George
“Are they still fighting George?” Nancy asked, as she handed him his cocoa.
“I’m afraid so,” he replied.
“Well, switch it off George; it’s all anyone talks about at the moment,” her voice was fretful when she spoke, as if someone were having a minor, but nevertheless disagreeable, set to.
“The hair dressers was full of it, Marjorie had heard that these troublemakers were part of some plan by Al Qu…what do you call them?”
“Al Qaeda, dear.”
“Yes, that’s right. Do you think that is who they could be working for?”
Sir George was just about to answer in the negative, but as a rumour it certainly wouldn’t hurt their cause. “I think it’s entirely possible Nancy.”
Thursday 27th November
Sue
“That must have been absolutely terrifying,” Barbara commented.
“It was.” Sue had just finished telling her friends about the previous days visit to the jobcentre plus.
“So will you still receive your benefits?” John asked.
“I should, although have you ever tried to find the phone number of your local jobcentre plus? The one in the telephone book, and on their website, didn’t exist. I had to phone the jobcentre plus that deals with your benefits, who then directed me to phone someone else, who then connected me with the right place. They said anyone who could prove they had made a reasonable attempt to sign on that day, which was pretty hard with their doors locked but never mind, or anyone who phoned in would receive their benefits. However it was unlikely they would be processed and issued on the usual day.”
“And what are you supposed to do for money in the meantime?” Jenny asked.
“You kn
ow what they’re like, that’s not their problem. They’ll work to their own schedule, but of course there’s always the hardship fund, which is their stock answer to any incompetence on their behalf.”
“Disgraceful,” John stated.
“Absolutely,” Jenny agreed.
They were all gathered at Sue’s house as Ruby had requested a meeting, so the mood was still defiantly upbeat despite recent developments. Sue could only assume that she had set things in motion already and wanted to update them, as she was working for free it was understandable that she wouldn’t want them all coming to her offices.
“Another cup of tea anyone? Are you okay Claire, you seem subdued?” Sue asked.
“What? Yes, sorry…I was talking to Kirsty last night, I don’t know if you remember her, she lived next door to us on the estate.”
“The single mother?” Barbara asked.
“Yes, that’s her. It’s just every time I hear of yet more trouble I think of her and those poor little mites, terrified in their own home.”
“And how is she coping?” Sue asked.
“She’s not, she says the police and army just leave the thugs, because that’s all they are, to do what they want, and then people who live on the estates are retaliating. The food kitchens have all been burnt to the ground and those charities who still want to help can’t get the vans in. Families whose homes had been trashed were taking refuge in the tents housing god knows who, but they’re gone as well. She says the estates are virtual no-go areas in daylight never mind in darkness, she daren’t even go out to buy food.” Claire wiped her eyes roughly and blew her nose.
“But how are they getting anything to eat?” Barbara asked.
“Those who dare venture out are bringing in supplies and sharing them with others, but it’s only a matter of time before the buses stop running. People are desperate, and even the quietest amongst them are turning to violence, and who can blame them, deserted by government, police, they’ve been left with no choice but to take the law into their own hands.”
“Christ, damned if they do, starved if they don’t,” Sue muttered.
“Exactly, and all the time I feel…well, I feel guilty because we got out and because there is nothing I can do to help.
“No, you mustn’t think that Claire, we are doing something to help, remember. With Ruby behind us we can highlight the plight of people like ourselves, maybe even create a climate of understanding. I know that doesn’t seem likely at the moment but we are trying,” John stated, as everyone embraced Claire and wiped tears from their own eyes.
“That sounds like a car now,” Sue said, and rose to her feet. “Yes it is, it’s Ruby.”
She went to open the door and lead her into the lounge, in hindsight she thought that something had seemed off from the moment she saw her, but at the time…at the time she smothered any sound of a warning bell.
“Please, just find a space, can I get you a tea or coffee?” Sue asked.
“No, I’m fine thank you; I won’t take up much of your time,” Ruby replied. In hindsight Sue could see the strain on her face, could remember her reddened eyes which darted from face to face, never lingering.
“I’m afraid it’s not good news,” she said. Sue assumed it to be a minor hold-up, was determined it would be, but in hindsight she had seen the bombshell coming.
“I’m terribly sorry but I am no longer in a position to take your case,” Ruby stated, quietly but firmly.
Silence, Sue assumed everyone was waiting for the ‘but,’ she felt was sure to come, but it didn’t.
“What do you mean, exactly?” Barbara asked.
“Just that I’m afraid, my partners have had a change of heart and decided it would not be appropriate for me to continue with your case,” Ruby explained.
“But, why?” Sue asked.
“They feel the time required would in fact impact upon my case load.”
Silence, it seemed to Sue that everything was being pulled away from her, as if her hope, determination, everything were being stretched down through her body and away beneath her feet. Grasping hands stripped it all away as she stood, bedraggled upon an invisible platform.
“But they didn’t have a problem when you spoke to them,” John stated.
“I know…” Ruby lowered her head for a moment, her hands grasped tightly in her lap, “…but they’ve reconsidered and, well…”
She left it hanging there and Sue watched it too, drain away at her feet.
“But surely you can disagree,” Jenny said.
“I can and I have, but as a one-third partner they are entitled to suspend me, if they feel I am not fulfilling my monetary obligation to them and other shareholders.”
“And that is what they have threatened to do, is it? Suspend you,” John asked.
“Yes, it is; obviously I wanted to tell you in person, and let you know how deeply sorry I am. I know this is not the news you were hoping to hear.”
“No, it’s not,” John said, as the rest of them sat in silence. Ruby must have left then, must have seen herself out, and in hindsight Sue realised it must have seemed very rude for her not to do so, but at that moment she just couldn’t think, stand, or function; so she sat, they all did, until Claire started weeping once more.
*****
Sir George
Sir George was at home enjoying a late lunch of boiled ham and beetroot, he had to admit when it came to bottling and preserving the many items to be found in their garden, Nancy was spot on. The old girl produced the most delicious jams and had even decided to try making her own wine from the rosehips and soft fruits she tended so lovingly. Sir George was not much of a gardener, and frankly could not understand the fascination, although that was not to say that he didn’t enjoy the fruits of his wife’s labour. In fact he had been known to take his tea outside, when the weather was warm enough to do so, but not too hot to make one sweat uncomfortably. He did not really share his wife’s love of eating outdoors, damn flies were everywhere, in your food, your drink, everything; most unsanitary. In fact that’s where the old girl was now, he could see her from the dining room window, sitting at the wrought iron table and chairs. Still, it least it meant he could dine in peace and not have to feign any interest in whatever was occupying the various groups she belonged to at the moment.
Today was different, today he’d foregone his calm to keep one eye upon News 24; there had been a disturbing development in the levels of violence that required the various experts to analyse it over and over again. One had even repeated the Al-Qaeda rumour on air, causing Sir George to chuckle with glee. Of course he’d been immediately argued down but it didn’t matter, it had been said and that would be enough for some to justify their actions. Indeed things were going splendidly, it seemed violence was no longer the pet of the twilight hours, but was now to be seen during the day. Across the country hundreds of cities and towns had been abandoned by workers as armies of insurgents took to the streets, in direct opposition to those who were protesting outside of the local jobcentre plus; they, in turn, had been closed, leading to panic from those who relied on their handouts to buy cigarettes and alcohol. One far right MP had expressed that very thought and, interestingly enough, had not been immediately re-buffed. However Proust was due to give a press conference imminently, in fact his earnest face filled the screen just as Sir George poured his tea. He turned the volume up.
“…united opposition across Europe, and America, calls for a united response. As such I have been in direct contact with the G7 leaders and we have agreed upon the need for temporary curfews across our towns and cities. No one shall be able to move in or out of the social housing estates, and our towns and cities, during the hours of midnight and five-thirty. I want-”
He was drowned out by the bevy of questions hurled his way, his face lost behind jostling arms and bodies. It took a few moments before Proust was ready to speak again.
“I will take a few questions in a moment, if you will allow me to finish.
I feel it is important to stress that these extra measures will only be in place until order is restored and once more I appeal for calm. Let Government do its job. John your question,” he pointed toward the camera as he spoke, to the journalist squashed in beside it.
“Prime Minister do you think a curfew will make any difference, especially in light of the escalation in violence during the day?”
The PM looked uncomfortable. “The Commissioner and head of the army agree with the decision made with our European and American allies, that these measures will eventually see the end of the protests that have plagued our cities in recent weeks.”
“Would you then consider a round the clock curfew if today’s violence proves to be a daily occurrence?”
“Obviously we have to keep a very close eye on the situation and everyone is working tirelessly to make our country peaceful once more.”
“What about the benefit’s estates? What do you say to accusations that you have effectively driven the inhabitants to violence because of lack of policing, of food, and access to amenities?”
“I don’t believe there is any justification to the violent acts we are witnessing at the moment. Now if you’ll excuse me I-”
“Our economy is in free fall once more after promising signs of growth. Europe is effectively bankrupt. What do you-”
Andrew whipped back around, interrupting the heckle of voices.
“That’s all for now, we will of course keep you updated as the day progresses.”
Then he turned and hustled back inside, with unseemly haste Sir George thought. He just caught sight of Nigel, grasping his arm as he closed the door behind him.
*****
Nigel
“They’re right, we’re still playing catch-up, they’re still one step ahead, the curfew is going to be completely ineffective.”
Nigel squeezed his arm again, it felt like the right moment to do so; Andrew’s face was red and his eyes betrayed his air of desperation. He just stood, the door between him and the country, Nigel waited.
“Get them here, now, I don’t care what they’re doing I want them here within the hour.”
He stormed along the corridor, Nigel had never seen him quite so fired up before, he smothered his inner delight and walked off to make the necessary calls.
An Ordinary Working Man Page 46
