Rafi walked over to Saara and gave her a big hug. ‘It’s great. I’m pleased you enjoy living here. You should see Kate’s flat,’ he added with a wry smile. At which point he received a sharp dig in the ribs.
Saara looked at her watch. ‘Mr Cheung is expecting us in half an hour. And Rafi, thank you – Steve and I love it here.’
Before leaving Saara’s bedroom, Rafi walked over to the window and looked out. The Heath could be seen to the left and central London was in the distance. Rafi glanced down at the road. His heart missed a beat. There, in the evening shadows opposite, was the dark form of a large Mercedes car. Haunting memories rushed back. Kate, who was standing nearby, sensed his apprehension.
‘Seen an old ghost?’
‘Sort of,’ he replied.
‘We should be going soon,’ came a shout from downstairs. ‘We don’t want to keep Mr Cheung waiting, do we?’
Thirty minutes later, after a quick wash and change, they were standing in front of the restaurant. Saara was at Rafi’s side.
‘You first, big Bro.’
He opened the door. The sight that met his eyes stopped him in his tracks. There, standing in front of him, were John and Jeremy. To their left were Aidan, Emma and the doctor and his wife from Newquay. He looked around the room. It seemed that everyone was there. The commissioner was in deep conversation with Ewan at a corner table. The brigadier and Colonels Turner and Gray were talking to an elderly gentleman whose back was to Rafi. Suddenly it dawned on him; it was his grandfather’s back. He looked across to the other side of the room and saw Kate’s brother. He glimpsed Kate’s parents sitting down, looking very proper, with Air Chief Marshal Sir Nigel Hawser and the back of someone he couldn’t quite place. Ah yes, it was Donald Hollingsworth, and next to him was Kate’s former boss, David. He looked around again; to try and take in all the faces.
Rafi walked across the threshold and was greeted by a cheer. Mr Cheung, appeared as if out of thin air. ‘Mr Khan, so pleased to see you this evening. No takeaway tonight, I think?’ he said with a chuckle.
‘I thought we were going out for a quiet supper,’ Rafi said in amazement to Saara. ‘How on earth did you manage to arrange something so big and keep it a secret?’
Saara grinned. ‘It wasn’t easy!’
Jeremy stuck out his hand which Rafi shook energetically.
‘What a surprise meeting you here,’ he said with a broad smile stretching almost from ear to ear. ‘I had a devil of a problem travelling on the same plane as you without being spotted! Good training, eh? When Saara told me what she and her boss, the Chancellor, had planned for your party, I couldn’t resist hopping on a plane. Oh, I forgot, the PM, the Defence Secretary and the Chancellor of the Exchequer send their apologies. They’ve got a meeting which is running late, but they should be here in half an hour.’
‘You’re joking. They are not really coming, are they?’ asked Rafi.
‘’Fraid so. It seems the Chancellor reckons you deserved a proper thank you – it looks as if you’re going to have yourself some party! Better be on your best behaviour!’ said Jeremy with a grin.
‘What can I get you?’ asked John. ‘Champagne?’
Rafi looked at Kate, who had started to shift into party mode. Her eyes sparkled and she looked fantastic in her summer dress.
‘As this is a very special occasion, champagne would be great, please.’
As if by magic two glasses arrived.
Rafi gave Kate a kiss. ‘Isn’t this fantastic? Did you know anything about this?’
‘Honestly, no. But I should have guessed something was in the wind given the strange phone calls I’ve been getting from Saara and Emma over the past few weeks!’
‘How’s about we circulate? See you in a bit,’ said Rafi.
The evening went by far too fast – so many people to talk to and lots of news to take on board. As Rafi worked his way around the large room, he came across a few faces he didn’t recognise. The retired commander and his wife, their two daughters, the SBS boyfriends and the two SAS soldiers were on good form recalling their escapade and their close call with the Moroccan Air Force.
Rafi was introduced to the crew of the first helicopter to carry concrete to the wrecked train, who by the end of the day had flown more sorties than any other crew. He then found himself talking to Roger and Steve from the Immigration team. They seemed awestruck by their fellow guests and were standing quietly to one side – conversation with them was an uphill battle.
‘I’m so pleased you could come. Whilst you are here, you might like to make the most of it – where else can you meet the head of MI5?’ Rafi surreptitiously pointed out Ewan. ‘Next to him is the Chief of the Defence Staff and shortly we’ll be joined by the Prime Minister. And, Roger, you might even pluck up the courage to tell the new Home Secretary what you think of the system you work under! You shouldn’t feel out of place… please remember that without your help things would be far, far worse.’
They visibly grew in stature and headed off to mix with the other guests.
At that moment the PM and the Chancellor arrived with their entourage. Saara did the introductions, from which it became apparent she now had friends in high places.
The PM was apologetic. ‘I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve brought along a couple of gatecrashers. My last meeting overran and, as a reward for them talking too much, here they are!’ he introduced the leaders of the two main opposition parties, who were now high-ranking cabinet ministers.
The PM moved off to work the room as only a top class politician can.
Meanwhile, the Chancellor was greeted by Steve and Saara. He was in an ebullient mood. The flak he had feared following the Stratford disaster had not happened. His initiatives had worked their way through Parliament and were having a rejuvenating effect on public sentiment.
‘I’ve been meaning to ask you a question, if you don’t mind?’ asked Rafi. ‘How close were we to joining the Euro?’
The Chancellor put his arm on Rafi’s shoulder and ushered him to one side. ‘Between you and me, it was close – very close! In the House, I was almost more worried waiting to receive the message from the Bank of England, which would tell me whether they’d done a deal with the Central Banks, than the messages telling me if the terrorists had been captured. When I stood up we only had a couple of smaller Central Banks offering to support Sterling, but it was at an unacceptably low exchange rate and contingent on others getting involved. The Governor of the Bank of England did a fantastic job.’ His voice went quieter. ‘I am told it is a senior individual at the Hong Kong Monetary Authority who we have to thank. He realised how intertwined Sterling, the City of London and the international financial markets were. Anyway, within forty-five minutes he had three of the top twenty countries with the highest foreign exchange reserves agreeing to support Sterling. Then Japan, the US and India came on board and the rest is history.’
The Chancellor smiled. ‘I was jubilant when I read the message saying how much support Sterling had. I could scarcely believe my eyes. And I must tell you how much I appreciate all you have done. Your foresight into what was going on in the financial markets, and your team’s proposals got me out of a really difficult situation. Thank you.’
Saara and Kate joined them. Rafi sensed that his conversation with the Chancellor had come to an end and he and Kate went off to mingle.
Food appeared. It was Mr Cheung at his best and Rafi told him so.
Plate in hand, Rafi stood in the middle of the room, enjoying the atmosphere and taking in the scene around him. He felt a soft squeeze around his waist from behind. ‘If I’d known you were this well-connected perhaps I’d have taken you a bit more seriously!’ said the seductive voice. ‘And who would have guessed that so many of my friends are friends of yours?’
The sentence was interrupted by the restaurant door swinging open. There, filling a substantial portion of the frame, was a heavily-built man. Behind him, was a well-dressed man of indeterminate a
ge and a stunning dark-haired young woman.
The deep voice rang out. ‘Have I missed all the fun? Look who I met at the airport – a Dutch generaal! Someone should have told me that Heathrow is further away than your City Airport; and whoever put in those bloody bus lanes should be told they screw up the traffic when you’re in a hurry!’ This was followed by a booming laugh. ‘They tell me this is where we can find DCI Adams and an air chief marshal,’ rang out the deep voice, ‘And if I’m lucky, a Mr., Khan might be hiding here, with some vodka – if he values his life!’ The colonel paused. ‘If not, I’ve brought some best Estonian Turi.’
Beaming, Rafi and Kate went over to meet Colonel Matlik and his two companions.
He stuck out his hand as Rafi approached. ‘Rafi, it is great to meet you at last! I hope you don’t mind, I’ve brought my daughter, Kristina, with me. She knows nothing of your English ways. I thought if Kate and Emma were here to keep an eye on possible suitors, she might just be safe,’ he said with a chuckle.
‘And we have an invitation to see your Queen for tea tomorrow afternoon – such a nice surprise. Kristina has been impossible for weeks, fretting about what to wear. Now, where did you say the vodka was?’ And off he strode as if he were a man on a mission.
Rafi looked across towards Saara. She was smiling. He sensed that the guest list was complete. Standing behind Rafi was the Air Chief Marshal, and next to him was the PM.
‘Prime Minister and Mr Khan,’ said the Air Chief Marshal, ‘it is my pleasure to introduce you to Generaal Wilm Van Dijk of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. Had Wilm not stuck his neck out for us and lent us almost all his fleet of helicopters and transport planes, we would have been in great trouble.’ They shook hands and started talking.
Emma came over and introduced herself to Colonel Matlik’s daughter, Kristina. The colonel reappeared with two glasses and passed one to his daughter. ‘I told you they do things a bit differently here.’ He pointed out some of the more illustrious guests. ‘Where else in Europe can one go to a local Chinese restaurant and meet the Prime Minister, the heads of the armed forces and the intelligence service, and two police chiefs – and find them all mingling with the public? There must be an election coming up soon!’ he boomed.
David appeared at the colonel’s shoulder and suggested he might like to meet Ewan. Emma, meanwhile, took Kristina under her wing and together they went off to find Aidan.
Rafi walked over to chat to his grandfather, but saw he was in deep conversation with Colonel Gray. He stopped and moved over to be with Kate, who was standing watching the party. Within moments he and Kate were joined by the two commissioners.
‘We are most grateful to you for all you’ve done,’ said Len. ‘I always knew Giles had a good team at Wood Street.’
‘I understand that we’ll be meeting you again tomorrow,’ said Giles.
‘At the Garden Party?’ enquired Kate.
‘No, before that,’ said Giles.
Kate and Rafi looked puzzled.
‘Has anyone told you why you’re to see the Queen beforehand?’
‘No,’ said Kate blankly.
‘Well, Kate, you’re to be awarded the Queen’s Police Medal and Rafi is to be given the Queen’s Gallantry Medal. The police force is very proud of you.
They both looked at Giles in amazement and Rafi gave Kate a hug.
Ewan joined them. ‘Thank you for the invite; Jeremy tells me that you’re keeping him busy. Oh, by the way, did you see the photos of Maryam in the newspapers a couple of months ago?’
Rafi nodded. ‘I recall reading an article which described her as: Helping the police with their enquiries and intimated that she had done a deal – is that true?’ asked Rafi.
‘You shouldn’t believe everything you read,’ said Ewan. ‘In reality she’s being totally uncooperative. The photo was a setup. She’d thought she was about to be released on a technicality and was meeting a European human rights judge. The sheikh, Basel and Jameel, who are locked away in separate high security prisons, just happened to see the papers that day. They’re furious! As the saying goes, Divide and rule.’ Ewan gave Rafi a friendly pat on the shoulder. ‘Great party; if you’ll excuse me there are a couple more people I should like to chat to. Do keep in touch.’
‘Time to mix with family?’ suggested Kate.
‘Good idea,’ agreed Rafi.
They walked over to speak to Kate’s parents. They were sitting with their backs to the wall, taking in all that was going on in the room. Kate sat down next to her mother and gave her a hug, then got up and did the same to her father.
‘I’m so pleased that you could come.’
‘We almost didn’t. But Rafi’s sister sounded so very charming on the phone and said how much it would mean to you,’ said her father.
‘We’ve been chumps haven’t we?’ said her mother. ‘I’m sorry we didn’t understand how important your job was to you and what you’d make of it. The commissioner tells us you’re one of the – if not the – youngest chief inspector in Europe and are doing more good work in Luxembourg.’
‘I think he’s exaggerating a bit!’ said Kate.
‘He’s not the only one who says that we should be very proud of you,’ said her father. ‘We are proud – very proud.’ He paused then went on, ‘With Marcus’s help we have done up the attic studio in the main house. Do please use it as your home whenever you have time.’
Kate gave a beaming smile to her parents. ‘That would be lovely, thank you.’
Out of the corner of his eye, Rafi noticed Saara talking with her grandfather. He smiled; they looked very happy together.
The conversation between Kate and her parents turned to small talk.
‘Have I told you,’ began Kate’s mother, ‘that we’ve got your postcards stuck all round our kitchen cupboards? It was so nice of you to start up that family tradition again.’
Kate gave Rafi’s hand a squeeze.
‘You do seem to get around a bit these days,’ continued her mother. ‘Some weeks we seem to get a card every other day!’
Rafi sensed that the hurts and wounds of previous years were forgotten.
The sound of a wine glass being tapped echoed across the room and was followed by the raised voice of Rafi’s little sister. She was standing at the side of the restaurant next to the Prime Minister, the Air Chief Marshal and Commissioner Giles Meynell. She had a champagne glass in her hand and was tapping it with a spoon. Silence fell over the room.
‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘I am so pleased you could all make it to Rafi’s surprise party. I should like to thank the Chancellor, my boss, whose idea it was to convene such a gathering and I would ask you to raise your glasses, please, in a toast: To Rafi and determination!’
The Prime Minister moved to Saara’s side. With a beaming face he looked around the room. ‘For once I shall be brief.’ He paused as he noticed a wry smile on many of the faces in front of him. ‘If I were to pay my thanks to each of you here, who selflessly gave so much, it would take a very long time. I am tempted… But not tonight!’
The PM reached for his glass. ‘I would ask you all to raise your glasses and toast: To all those who lost their lives or their good health.’
The PM waited for his audience to finish sipping their champagne and for their attention to focus back on him. ‘I would especially like to thank two people who have travelled a long distance to be with us this evening. Generaal Wilm Van Dijk and Colonel Hendrik Matlik: thank you for your help in our hour of need. I would ask you to raise your glasses and toast: To our distinguished foreign guests.’
Silence returned. The PM raised his glass and looked around the room making eye contact with as many people as possible: ‘ To you all! You are a very special group of people and I praise you for all you have done.’
He moved to one side during the applause that followed. His place was taken by the Air Chief Marshal. ‘I, too, will follow the precedent set by the Prime Minister and keep my speech brief. I should
like to convey my personal thanks to the team I had with me on that fateful night. Their response and clear headedness was beyond anything I could have reasonably expected. I would ask you to raise your glasses and toast: To all those who risked everything in countering the recent terrorist attacks and to the Prime Minister, the Defence Secretary, Ewan Thorn, Brigadier Sparkman and Colonels Turner and Gray for their leadership.’
There was further clapping and a shuffling around, as glasses were sipped and recharged. The Air Chief Marshal’s place was taken by Commissioner Giles Meynell. He looked across at Kate and John. ‘During the investigation leading up to the snaring of the terrorists, we were truly fortunate to have the unerring resolve and meticulous help of a large number of people. I should like to pay my sincere thanks to all of you who made it possible for us to latch on to the terrorists’ plot. In particular: Steve and Roger from the Immigration team, Jeremy and Neil from MI5 and Rick and Phil from Manchester; they all deserve special mention. We salute you.’
Giles paused and turned to David. ‘Your team did you proud. Thank you.’ He paused and added, with a glint in his eye, ‘But another time perhaps we shouldn’t have to rely on someone locked up in a police cell and then get him to provide us with the services of his friends! Aidan, Bob, Alex, Donald, Matthew, Saara and, of course, Rafi – thank you. We owe you all a great debt of gratitude. I should like to ask you all to raise your glasses and toast: To tenacity and all those who helped in our time of need.’
Rafi caught sight of Kate’s parents sitting holding hands. Beside them were Marcus and Susannah. He wished he could have captured their expressions and given the picture as a present to Kate. He looked round and saw Kate smiling at him; she too had spotted her family’s proud faces.
Saara waited for silence to return. ‘That is the end of the formalities; there’s no closing time and Mr Cheung assures me that he has more than enough food and drink to satisfy your appetites and quench your thirst. Thank you all for making this the most memorable and enjoyable of evenings.’
Saara seemed taken aback by the spontaneous applause and for the first time in ages looked a little self-conscious.
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