by Carl Andrew
“It may well be that. I’m going to have to trust you to make the right decision. I can’t keep this bottled up any longer.”
Leon was instantly concerned by what Vanessa had just said. He hoped she was being overly dramatic.
“I’ll do what’s right Vanessa,” he said.
“David has agreed to provide access to the liquid chip data to MI5,” she almost blurted it out like a firework released into the sky through contact with a flame. It was instant, it exploded; and it was all consuming.
“He’s done what?” Leon could hardly believe what he was hearing. “That’s a complete betrayal of trust; he promised the public that would never happen.”
“I know, I feel the same, that’s where it gets slightly sinister. David has known Simeon Purcell for many years. He’s confided to me on numerous occasions about how competitive they were with one another,” Vanessa said.
“Go on,” Leon was trying to encourage, he wanted to turn the page of this particular story and see what lay on the other side. He knew Simeon Purcell was the Head of MI5. This was huge.
“I think that David was forced into giving access to the data by Simeon. I believe that because he tried to cover it with a poor story when he revealed it to Russell and me.”
“He told us it was his decision and best for the country as a whole to avoid an attack by home grown terrorists. I just couldn’t trust what he was saying. It was too convenient a story,” she continued.
“I couldn’t help but put two and two together. I was going over it and over it in my head and I just couldn’t see anything but a lie in what he was saying,” she said.
“What do you mean two and two? What are you putting together?” Leon was trying to follow but he was struggling to figure out what she meant.
“You know, the bit I told you about David believing that I was a mole, that I was giving secrets away. He first suspected when you broke the story of the liquid chips being released in the water system,” she spoke at a pace now saying whatever was on her mind, no thought process.
“But it wasn’t you. I got an anonymous call from a male,” Leon interjected.
“Really,” Vanessa enquired, her guard slightly relaxed and her focus shifting.
“Yes, a guy called me, I don’t know his name but he told me about that. But what does that have to do with David lying about this?” Leon asked.
“I figured that maybe there was a mole in his team and that mole was giving you information but also Simeon Purcell. Maybe that mole was planted by MI5 but then I can’t understand why they would give you information unless Simeon is trying to undermine David?” This was deduction on the fly by Vanessa, as quickly as the facts became apparent. Leon could almost sense her brain whirring.
Leon completed the jigsaw puzzle for her: “You think the Head of MI5 is blackmailing David don’t you?”
“I think that there’s more to this than just a decision by David and I’m determined to find out. I have a contact on the case looking into this whole thing for me,” she said.
Leon couldn’t believe what she just said. “You have a contact spying on the Prime Minister? How do you know you can trust anyone with this let alone a shady contact? If MI5 is involved, how do you know this contact of yours isn’t one of them?”
“I just know ok. I’ve worked with this person for a long time. I know,” she was adamant.
“Vanessa, you’re on very dangerous ground here and now that I know, I’m complicit. You’ve just made me a target do you realise that?” Leon panicked; he looked around momentarily to check he wasn’t being watched. In one conversation, his world had changed.
“Leon, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t sure whether to get you involved in this. I just… I just didn’t know how to deal with this. I needed someone who I could trust, someone who I could work with. This could change everything.”
“Vanessa, I can’t say no now. Do you realise? I know something that I can’t erase from my mind. I’m in this, regardless of what happens,” Leon was breathing fast, his words came out in a hush as if he feared being heard.
“When’s your contact going to report in?” He asked.
“In a couple of days, after he receives instructions, he goes dark. I can’t get hold of him until he calls me,” she replied.
“Also, how do you know you’re not being followed? If David suspects a mole and initially thought it was you, how do you know he doesn’t believe that any more?” He was thinking clearly now, weighing up the risks and concerns.
“I checked. I was thorough. I know how these things work Leon, don’t worry. Saying that though, we should probably finish this conversation, Abby may well be wondering where you are and I’ve turned my mobile phones off. I never do that and I don’t want to stir suspicion,” she looked directly into Leon’s eyes as she spoke.
“Leon, I can’t do this alone. Can I trust you?”
Leon looked over to the pond. He looked at the ducks paddling away. He envied them. They looked as though they had no worries or cares. He wanted that. He wanted to rewind the clock and he wanted for this meeting to have never taken place.
But it was too late. He had a decision to make. It was a decision with only one answer and he knew that.
“Vanessa, I don’t have a choice,” he said…
Chapter 28:
A few days later – Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire
Leon found himself on his own for a few days. Abby had planned to go and spend the weekend with her mum and it couldn’t have been a better time for that. He needed to think, he needed to process the conversation he’d had with Vanessa.
It had been playing on his mind for the last couple of days and he couldn’t shake it. He hadn’t heard from her and he didn’t know what the rules of this particular game were, he hated being unprepared.
Abby had her own worries so she hadn’t noticed how distant Leon was being. She too felt the time was right to get away. She needed someone to talk to and who better than a behavioural scientist to air laundry in front of.
It was the first time she had returned to Huntingdon since she and Leon had packed up and moved to London. It was a huge deal for her to see the old place again and a brave step to face her demons following the kidnapping. She still thought about it from time to time. That sort of stuff doesn’t just go away.
It lived with her, often dormant, but sometimes it just wanted to get out, rear its head and play with her mind. This had been the case since she knew she would be visiting Huntingdon again.
She tried to keep it from her mum who picked her up from the station but it was obvious there was some trepidation there and Jennifer was as qualified as most to spot that.
“This is a big step for you Abby. Are you ok?”
Abby was almost relieved her mum had brought the topic up. She always believed it was much better to talk about these things than leave them bottled up.
“I’m fine. I do think about it sometimes, you know the kidnap,” Jennifer nodded as Abby spoke.
“But I have to deal with it. I have to move on and maybe… maybe being here will help.”
“Maybe,” Jennifer said reassuringly.
It was difficult for her not to analyse Abby but she wanted to be the mum today and not the scientist. She was still getting used to the role of mum, it was much more difficult for her to play than that of Dr Hopwood. This was a chance to battle her own demons as much as it was for Abby.
“Shall we go for lunch? They’ve just opened this lovely place just off the High Street,” Jennifer said, changing the topic of conversation and giving them both an escape.
“Sure,” Abby said and linked her arm in to her mum’s, ready and willing to be led away.
They strolled up the road and barely spoke. Each time the silence felt a little awkward Jennifer offered a directional update. When she had reached the exhaustion point of all of her “Just up a bit further” and “On the left hand side over there” commentaries, they arrived at a nice looking café/bar with a Me
diterranean theme.
The waiter welcomed them inside with a beaming smile and seated them next to the window to give passers-by the impression that the place was busier than it was.
After a brief scan of the menu, they ordered lunch and a drink. Alone at last, Abby drove the conversation forward.
“Mum, I need to talk to you about something. It’s to do with Leon,” as soon as Abby mentioned Leon’s name Jennifer’s face lit up. Abby realised that she had to volunteer more information for fear of her mum getting the wrong impression.
“No, nothing like that mum,” she said.
“Like what Abby?” Jennifer enquired sheepishly.
“Like wedding bells. I could see it etched all over your face,” Abby replied.
“Was I really that obvious?” Jennifer said to which Abby nodded with a wry smile on her face.
“Well, you can hardly blame me. I want my daughter to be happy. He’s a lovely lad and I’ve… well… I’ve always dreamed of your wedding day,” Jennifer started to blush with embarrassment.
“Mum, you’re becoming almost maternal,” Abby said mockingly, before retracing the conversation to its point.
“Actually, it’s something I’m worried about,” after she finished her sentence, it was time for Jennifer to read Abby’s face.
“What’s wrong darling? What are you worried about?”
“He’s not been well recently. He’s been very tired recently and doesn’t seem to have any energy at all.”
“It could be something to do with his dad. It’s difficult to deal with the loss of a loved one. We both remember how I reacted when your dad died,” Jennifer said. She realised it was the first time that she had brought up the topic of Abby’s dad dying since they had reunited.
She was instantly worried how Abby would react. She didn’t know if there was still pain there and, worse still, animosity for how she had behaved.
“I know. I keep telling myself that. I keep thinking back to how I felt but it’s different. He’s behaving differently to how I behaved when dad died.”
“Abby, people deal with grief in very different ways you know. Has he gone to see the doctor?”
“He’s going tomorrow. He promised to call to let me know how it goes. He keeps denying anything is wrong but I can tell,” Abby was beginning to feel an easing of pressure. Being able to talk about this with someone other than Leon was like a release of a valve in her brain and she felt lighter.
“Just see what the doctor says Abby. I’m sure everything’s fine.”
“Thanks, I really appreciate having you to talk to,” Abby said. The words sounded like a song to Jennifer. They were spoken with such earnest that she could really start to believe that her relationship with her daughter would be ok.
That was her ghost. That’s what she had been battling for many years. She almost tried to avoid allowing herself to believe that wound would ever be healed but it was happening.
Assured now, Abby tucked into her meal and the conversation moved on to other topics. They chatted and giggled together like a pair of friends, it was all Jennifer had ever dreamed of, having a good relationship with her daughter.
She struggled not to smile for the rest of the day and Abby was equally content. She had her mother back, she had beaten the demons of Huntingdon and she had relieved herself of the stress of Leon’s health that she had been carrying around with her.
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Finsbury Park, London
With everything that had transpired over the last couple of days and with Abby away visiting her mum, Leon almost forgot the doctor’s appointment that he’d promised he would attend.
His ailments seemed immaterial now but still, he wanted to go along if only so he had something he could report back to Abby to ease her concerns.
He checked his watch and saw he had 30 minutes to get to the surgery. It was a 15 minute walk, plenty of time.
The truth was, he hadn’t even noticed anything to do with the health issues he’d had recently so wouldn’t be able to confirm to the doctor if they’d improved, got worse or stayed the same. His mind was filled solely with the echoing reminders of his conversation with Vanessa.
Her revelations stabbed inside his head like the beat of loud noise on top of a bad headache. It wouldn’t go away, it was incessant. He felt tired but couldn’t pin that down between a general sickness and the fact he hadn’t slept properly since the meeting in Clapham Common.
He arrived at the surgery and walked into the waiting room. It was like an illness in motion as all around him coughed and spluttered.
He turned away from the sick and checked in at the reception desk. After giving his name and basic details, he received a grunt in response that could have either been asking him for further details or offering him a seat in the ‘flu saloon’ that was behind him.
He stood motionless before an audible command was forthcoming: “Running late, sit over there.”
The waiting time was indeterminate and he lacked the courage to ask for a more precise definition. Without knowing if his immune system would be fighting off whatever germs were flying around for ten minutes or an hour, he let his mind wander.
He considered his surroundings and couldn’t decide if the general disregard for customer service was a strategy to discourage those who weren’t really ill or because the pay was so poor that they had little option in whom to employ.
Either way, he struggled to refer to the surgery as hospitable. Eventually, he was summoned.
He hadn’t seen the doctor for so long he couldn’t remember what she looked like or even if she was a completely different person. He was comforted by her affable nature, however, a welcome change to what he’d experienced before.
“So, how can I help you today?” the doctor said with a smile.
“I’m not sure why I’m here really so I hope I’m not wasting your time. It’s just that my girlfriend suggested I should come and see you,” Leon hadn’t really thought through how he would present his visit.
“Aah, you’re what I call a maps case,” the doctor said maintaining her smile.
“Sorry, I don’t understand,” Leon was confused.
“You know, a man never asks for directions even when he’s lost just like he never thinks he’s ill even though his partner notices something is not right,” the doctor clarified.
“I see, well then yes, that’s me. I guess it all started about four or five weeks ago. I’ve been feeling really tired, jaded if you like. It’s as if I’m permanently fatigued,” he said.
“Go on,” encouraged the doctor.
“I put it down to the crazy year I’ve had,” Leon considered how much to reveal about the attacks and the shooting.
“I was attacked in the park by two thugs and spent a day in hospital. I damaged my ribs, nose and jaw area. Also, my dad died recently so I thought it might be stress related.”
“Oh dear, that is tough. Have you noticed any other symptoms, excessive fluid intake, weak bladder that sort of thing?” The doctor asked.
It was specific enough to concern Leon. That was exactly what was happening. He paused a moment before responding.
“Yes, how did you know? What is it?” He asked.
The doctor ignored his questions. She wanted some further information before confirming or discounting anything.
“How about family history, what did your dad die of if you don’t mind me asking?”
“No, no problem at all. He was suffering with type 1 diabetes for many years. He collapsed and had a stroke as a result of that.”
After providing that response, it dawned on Leon that he was quite likely ignoring the most obvious thing.
“Wait, do you think I have something similar?” He asked the doctor.
“It’s too early to know but also not something we should rule out. I’d like you to undergo further tests. Are you ok to give some blood today?”
Leon was speechless. He
was frightened. He knew how much his dad suffered and couldn’t bring himself to accept that he might be affected as well.
“Mr Bryant, are you ok? Would you like some water?”
“No, no I’m fine. Blood, yes of course,” he said as he rolled up a sleeve.
The sharp scratch of the needle came and went before Leon knew what was happening. The doctor had drawn four vials of blood and was busily marking Leon’s details on each label.
“Is there anything else I need to do?” He asked.
“We’ll get these off to the lab and should get the results back in a week or so. In the meantime, can you keep a diary of how you’re feeling until I see you again? Also, reference the amount of fluids you take in and how often you use the toilet,” the doctor stood up as she spoke reaching out her hand to farewell Leon.
“Sure, of course doctor. Thank you.” He reciprocated and made his way to the door. His time was up.
He decided there and then that Abby needn’t know anything about this. Not until it was confirmed and even then, he debated the merits of telling her.
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The following day - Finsbury Park, London
With Abby still away in Huntingdon, Leon focused on responding to inbound emails and comments he’d received from readers of the blog. He was hoping to find some additional news angles to work up but the majority of messages were simply feedback on previous posts.
Spring was in the air and he could see blue skies sneaking beyond the clouds as he looked out through his window. He decided a stroll would get his mind active and magic a blog post topic out of nowhere.
The vista from his lounge room had falsified an ideal of warmth which he only realised when he set foot outside. It was still chilly and especially so when the wind came into play. He pulled his jacket in tight but being typically British, he battled on, refusing to change his mind about the walk.
