‘That’s what they say. But the MOD will only armour cars made here because in order to do it properly they have to intervene in the manufacturing process. Also, there’s another problem.’ She paused to see that she had everyone’s attention. ‘The cars are intended only for stations at regular risk of terrorism – the Middle East, Cyprus, Islamabad, Kabul and so on – and the MOD doesn’t want the materials and techniques they use to become known. Also, it’s important that no one gets to the cars to bug or booby-trap them during production or en route. Therefore, they have to be flown out by RAF transport aircraft rather than commercial carriers. Now, if the cars are FAP – Fully Armour Protected – they weigh a lot more, heavier metal, glass, suspension, steering, everything. That means they weigh too much to go on standard RAF flights and have to be flown out by specially adapted planes at enormous expense. The alternative is PAP – Partially Armour Protected – which means that only the driver’s window, door, floor and the windscreen are armoured. The stations say that’s pointless because anyone can fire a bullet through any of the other windows.’

‘They have a point, don’t they?’

‘But Marigold who does Health & Safety says it’s better than nothing and it would cover our backs as far as they’re concerned.’

‘So it’s really all about back-covering?’

‘Well, no, not – I mean . . .’

Cath looked uncomfortable, glancing at the others in an appeal for support. Charles had no wish to make her suffer; it was not her fault that almost everything she had to do with exasperated him. ‘But, leaving that aside,’ he said, trying to sound conciliatory, ‘would any of these vehicles, fully or partially armoured, withstand – say – a drone attack?’

Cath shook her head. ‘No. Apparently even tanks won’t.’

‘What sort of cars are we talking about?’

‘That’s another problem. They’re supposed to be grade-compatible, you see, appropriate to the FCO cover grade of the head of station, no ambassadorial limousines or anything. That means smaller eco-friendly engines, which aren’t as powerful as bigger engines, and the two trial ones sent out to stations have been sent back as unusable.’

‘Why?’

‘Too heavy with the weight of armour. They won’t go up hills.’

‘Couldn’t they have found that out before they sent them?’

‘That’s the MOD for you.’ That at least brought smiles to the faces of the meeting. ‘The thing is, CSS, we need a decision because if we’re going to order any we have to do it before the end of this financial year.’