‘Now you’re just being an alarmist.’
‘Am I.’ Fuller replied. ‘How close have we come to anarchy over the past two years? Terror attacks on our streets all over the country. The Grenfell tower disaster last year and now Dystopia. This country is a tinderbox and Dystopia are holding the match.’
‘You want this to happen so that it will force my hand.’
‘I simply want what you promised last year when we formed this coalition.’
Mayflower massaged her forehead.
‘You cannot stop what has already happened Tessa. ‘Europe is ready to deal with you.’
‘As long as I call another referendum.’
‘If it’s more power you seek they will give it to you. They will abolish certain human rights laws allowing terrorists to stay in this country. You can still come out of this on top Tessa. You can still win over the British people if you call another Referendum.’
‘What about the people who voted out, what do I say to them?’
‘The people who voted to leave are made up of bigots and racist thugs.’ Fuller mocked. ‘Egged on by UKIP, promising them a land of milk and honey if they voted to leave.’
‘And people who are fed up of a government who is told what to say from Brussels.’ Mayflower added. ‘When we first went into Europe there were just nine members in the common market. Now it has jumped up to twenty eight and has become something totally different.’
‘Brussels will not back down. They want you to hold another referendum. Those who voted to leave the EU two years ago will soon fall into line.’
Mayflower glared at Fuller. ‘When did you sell out Edwin?’
‘It’s not about selling out, it’s about wanting my homeland to be whole again.’
‘That will never happen, you know this. Ireland is already splintered. No one will agree to reunification.’
‘You’ll be surprised what people will agree to when their back is against the wall.’
Mayflower contemplated the moment. She looked back on the meeting she had held earlier with Bisset and Spearman. ‘I will ask you again Edwin, who is Albert Spearman?’
‘Someone who you don’t want to mess with.’
Mayflower smiled. ‘Very well Edwin if that’s how you want to play things out then you’re fired.’
A wave of shock shot through Fuller. ‘You can’t do that.’
‘I am the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. I can do what I damn well please. If this Albert Spearman want’s to back me into a corner then I will draw inspiration from another Prime Minister under siege from Germany.’ Mayflower glanced at a portrait of Winston Churchill hung on the wall.
Fuller also looked at the portrait. ‘You’ll be finished as Prime Minister. I’ll withdraw all the RUP members from parliament. You’ll be forced to hold another election. George Hardy will come after you.’
‘So be it.’ Mayflower answered.
‘And what about Dystopia and the damage they are doing. Do you really think you can lead this country alone like this?’
‘Mayflower pointed at Churchill’s portrait. ‘He did, and so can I. Now get out!’
Fuller stared at Mayflower for a few moments. ‘Fair enough, if you want to go down in flames then I am not going to stand in your way.’
Mayflower watched him leave before picking up the phone. ‘Jenny, call my press secretary.’
Chapter 42
Smith Street – London – 9:56pm
Alan yawned as he looked at the information displayed on the screen of his laptop. He had spent a few hours researching the information on the USB stick. His smartphone began to buzz.
‘Tony, hello.’
‘Alan I know this is late, but I need you over at Downing Street. Mayflower is about to give a statement to the press.’ Mirren explained.
Alan looked at the clock on the wall. ‘A bit late for her isn’t it.’
‘The press are going into meltdown. I need you over there immediately.’
‘Ok.’ Alan said before hanging up.
Downing Street – London – 10:30pm
‘Are you sure you want to do this ma’am?’ Press secretary Ian Smith asked.
‘I don’t have a choice Ian. They have forced me into this corner so I must act.’
Smith nodded. ‘Very well ma’am.’ He said opening the door.
Mayflower stepped out and walked towards the podium. The short walk felt like an eternity. She blinked as camera flashes illuminated the front of Number 10. The Prime Minister put the speech she had just written down on the podium and looked at the mass of journalists she had hastily summoned to Downing Street. ‘Good evening.’ She greeted. ‘Tonight I attended what was supposed to be the latest rounds of Brexit negotiations with the European Union. When I met with Jean Paul Bisset, he expressed concern over the damage that Dystopia are causing. Mr Bisset informed me that until this crisis is resolved then the latest round of Brexit negotiations cannot continue.’
An explosion of camera flashes lit of the street.
‘My first duty as your Prime Minister is to stand behind the people of the United Kingdom. I will never shy away from this duty and will govern this country steering it through the difficult times that lay ahead. One of the most important things about being Prime Minister is my pledge to always tell the truth no matter how painful it is.’ She paused. ‘It is my belief that the European Union purposely stalled talks this evening in a bid to force me to make a rash decision regarding Brexit. They want to force the hand of this Prime Minister into holding a second referendum on Europe.’
Camera flashes exploded all around.
‘As your Prime Minister I say this. A second referendum will never happen. The people of the United Kingdom cast their vote two years ago, voting to leave the European Union. I will not let Europe bully the people of the United Kingdom into submission. We will stand firm, we will see Brexit through to the end and we will emerge a stronger and more determined Great Britain.’ Mayflower picked up a glass of water on the podium and took a sip. ‘Of course there have always been those in this country who want to remain in Europe. Those who voted to stay in the referendum, who feel that voting to remain will maintain stability. I can assure you that will not happen. A wave of social and economic change is sweeping across the European Union. Elections held in the past year or so have demonstrated that the ordinary people who live in the European Union are tired of the status quo. What disturbs me most of all is the number of far right parties that have come to power. I say this to the leaders of those parties. Let us not step backward into darkness and let fear and hate dictate our actions. Instead, let us step forward into the light and embrace change. Let us meet the challenges that face us together. We can be both a united Europe and also one where its member states are able to govern themselves and make the right choices for their people.’ She paused again. ‘A United States of Europe where decisions are made for the people of Europe is no longer viable. Of course there have been those in our government who wanted to remain in Europe. I have faced many of them in Parliament and on the political battleground played out every day in the media spotlight. My deputy Prime Minister Edwin Fuller is one of those people who wanted to remain in Europe. Our differences of opinion has caused a rift between us. Therefore I have asked Mr Fuller to tender is resignation immediately.’
‘Prime Minister, does this mean you will be announcing a general election.’ A journalist shouted from the crowd.
Mayflower held up her hand. ‘As for the chaos that Dystopia are causing I say this to them. You claim to represent the poor of this country. What you are doing is hurting the poor. By shutting off the petrol pumps you are preventing ordinary people from going about their everyday business. Your actions alone have made you the enemy of the poorest people in this country. Those who need their cars to do the school run. Those who need their vans and work vehicles to do the everyday things most people take for granted. Tomorrow morning I will be holding an emergency meeting with my cabi
net to hammer a way forward. I will again ask the people of this great nation of ours to remain calm in these challenging times. We as a nation have been through many challenges. Now is not the time for turmoil, this is a time to stand our ground against those who threaten the British way of life. Whether our opponents are amongst us or across the English Channel. I have always lived by the philosophy that sometimes the only path open to you is the path you least want to walk. As a nation I believe we can walk this difficult path together because together we are strong. Together we are a United Kingdom. Good night and god bless.’ Mayflower turned and walked back towards the door. Journalists shouted questions but she shut them out.
The door shut and Mayflower took a deep breath.
‘That went better than expected.’ Smith said with an optimistic tone.
‘The next twenty four hours will be the most difficult of my political career. I’ll meet with the cabinet at nine tomorrow. I also need to speak to Robert Parsons as soon as possible, please call him.’
Smith Nodded. ‘Of course Prime Minister I will summon him here immediately.’
Mayflower thought for a moment. ‘No, I think it is best if I go to see him. Please make the necessary arrangements.’
Chapter 43
King Charles Street – London – 10:39pm
Journalists mingled with each other chatting excitedly about the press conference that Mayflower had just given.
‘This is going to be explosive.’ Political correspondent for the Guardian Dan Watkins said.
‘I don’t know how much longer that woman can hold on to power.’ Alan remarked. ‘Surely she knows that by now. Sacking Fuller will leave her open to an onslaught from the opposition parties.’
‘Well I can’t hang around here. I need to burn the midnight oil.’ Watkins said opening a small bottle and tossing some tablets into his mouth.
‘Something to keep you awake.’ Alan said.
‘More like something to keep me on my toes.’ Watkins replied before walking off.
Alan was about to head towards Horse Guards Parade when a sleek black Land Rover discovery sport pulled up. A man got out and approached. ‘Mr Alan Manning?’ He said.
Alan looked the man up and down. ‘I am.’
‘I need you to come with me.’
‘I’m sorry but my mum told me never to get into cars with strange men.’ Alan said smiling.
The man produced a smartphone and tapped it before handing it to Alan.
‘Mr Manning.’ A voice said. ‘I’m sorry for the cloak and dagger routine but I really must speak with you.’
‘Who is this?’ Alan queried.
‘Someone who wants to talk with you Mr Manning. Tell me, how did your meeting go with Reece Tyler yesterday?’
The man showed Alan a tablet scrolling through a series of photographs of him and Tyler talking outside the London Stock Exchange.
‘All I want is a moment to talk to you.’
‘Talk about what?’
‘The future amongst other things.’
Alan looked up and down the street, which was now deserted.
‘No harm will come to you Mr Manning. I promise you will be back in Smith Street tucked up in bed before you know it.’
The man opened the back door of the vehicle.
Alan stared at the car for a few moments before getting in.
The car turned out of King Charles Street onto Horse Guards road heading towards The Mall.
Buckingham Palace was lit up showing off all its splendour. The car drove along Spur Road and started to slow near an entrance to St James’ Park. Another man stood at the side of the road waiting for the car to stop. He opened the back passenger door and Alan stepped out.
‘This way please sir.’
Alan looked around. Late night tourists lined the gates of the palace. A few individuals stood on the Victoria Memorial taking pictures of the Palace at night.
'Please sir, he is waiting for you.’ The man said pointing towards the park entrance.
Alan walked in the direction the man was pointing through some park gates. He caught sight of an elderly man sat on a bench looking in his direction.
Alan approached.
‘There’s no need for apprehension Mr Manning. As I said on the phone I merely wish to speak with you.’
‘Who are you?’
‘I am someone who is very interested in your work.’
‘I’m just a journalist. I’m the same as any other journalist working in London.’
‘Yes but do you really believe that?’
‘Look I haven’t got time for this.’ Alan said. ‘It’s been nice an all but I’m not in the habit of meeting old men in the park late at night.’ He turned and started to walk away.
‘You are the spitting image of your grandfather. I knew him very well. He also worked at the Examiner.’
Alan stopped and turned towards the elderly man. ‘You knew my grandfather?’
The man nodded.
Alan suddenly felt a pull towards this stranger. His mother had mentioned that her father worked for the London Evening Examiner back in the 1950s and 1960s. However, Alan’s mother barely spoke about her father despite Alan asking questions when he was a young boy. When he began to work at the Examiner Alan searched the archives for reference to his grandfather but information was scarce.
‘George Rayman was a good friend of mine.’ The man claimed.
Alan approached the bench the man was sitting on. ‘How is it you knew my grandfather?’
‘We worked together on a number of occasions. George was passionate about his work.’
‘That’s interesting because when I started work at the Examiner I searched the archives and found hardly anything about him.’
‘It is best if you don’t know everything just yet Mr Manning. I have learnt over the years that the truth can be a little overwhelming.’
Alan sat down. ‘Ok I’ll bite. Why did you call me here tonight?’
‘To start you out on a journey. A journey that will be thwart with danger and loss.’
Alan broke into a smile. ‘You’re a bit of a relic left over from a bygone age.’
‘A relic with information.’
‘What kind of information?’
‘The dangerous kind. What did you think of the Prime Minister’s speech tonight?’
‘I thought Mayflower was going out on a limb. She’s just sacked her deputy which means there’ll be a bloodbath tomorrow in the media. There’ll be calls for a snap election.’
‘You don’t have much faith in her I take it?’
‘Not really, since she took over from Cameron she has struggled.’
‘Mayflower has struggled for a reason. There are many hidden aspects of current events which are invisible to the public and the press.’
‘Are you trying to say that you have inside information on what’s going on with regards to the current situation?’
‘I knew this moment was coming a long time Mr Manning. The whole Brexit deal, Dystopia amongst other things. The reason that I have come out of the shadows is because you are about to take your place on a very large chessboard.’
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘It means you need to be ready for what’s ahead.’
‘I love your cryptic manner.’ Alan mocked.
The man smiled reaching into his inside pocket and pulling out an envelope. ‘We have been monitoring your activities over the past few days Mr Manning. Your interview with Mr Tyler yesterday and your meeting with your coroner friend today.’
Alan began to feel uneasy at what the man was telling him. ‘So you have been spying on me?’
‘We have been protecting you.’
Alan shrugged. ‘I didn’t realise I was in danger.’
The man handed the envelope over. ‘I thought we would start you off with something easy. This information relates to Trojan Horse.’
Alan opened the envelope and stared at the photograph that was in
side.
‘The effect of a dark experiment which took place in the early seventies.’
The photograph showed a man laying on his back on a mortuary table. His eyes were white.
‘Has this got something to do with the attacks yesterday?’
‘There is a connection. The technology they used on that poor soul back in the seventies was a little more like Frankenstein compared to what we have today.’
Alan stared at the man on the table. ‘Who was he?’
‘Just someone who wanted to serve queen and country.’
‘A soldier.’ Alan speculated.
‘A spy.’ The stranger replied. ‘The cold war was a time of turbulence and great change. Governments locked in a race to steal each other’s secrets. By the late sixties the traditional spy was being replaced by spy satellites orbiting overhead. The British Government didn’t want to send men deep behind enemy lines to the wastelands of Siberia to bring back photographs of the secret research laboratories the Russians had built. Technology was the order of the day so a series of experiments began to combine man with technology.’
Alan could help smiling.
The stranger noted his smile. ‘I can understand your reluctance to believe me Mr Manning. Some of the events that have happened in the past several decades are too fantastic to believe. As a society we like to cover ourselves with a blanket of familiarity. Safe in the knowledge that the earth orbits the sun and time marches relentlessly forward. The bizarre confined to the tabloids who mock those who want to speak out against the mainstream. While the masses are blinded by the glare of mundane daily routines of work, soap operas and social media.’
Alan looked back at the photo. ‘How much do you know about yesterday’s events?’
‘I know Dystopia has the capability to turn this country into an apocalyptic war zone. The so called drug you wrote about in your article has been replicated thousands of times over. The man responsible for manufacturing the drug has disappeared. The chaos that engulfed London yesterday will be nothing to the chaos that will ensue if the scientist behind this drug is able to activate this chip all at once. Thousands of people will turn. People from all walks of life suddenly becoming mindless machines. What your coroner friend didn’t mention was that the chip that this drug contains has the ability to replicate itself.’
Dystopia Page 23
