‘No reason,’ he said calmly. ‘No reason at all.’ But I knew exactly what he meant. He wasn’t referring to the Time Police as an organisation as a whole, but rather the many individuals who made up that whole. Individuals who had not been selected for their good-natured ability to embrace diversity and live and let live.

Major Ellis, to give him credit, had touched on this.

‘You might find, Matthew, that there’s a big difference between a little boy trotting up and down the corridors clutching his schoolbooks under his arm, and a young man with a defiantly non-regulation haircut and an attitude problem. They still remember that incident when you broke the Time Map.’ And now it would seem that Dad was thinking along the same lines.

‘I’ve thought about that,’ I said to him, because I had. ‘And I still want to do it.’

‘Well, in that case,’ he said, sitting back, ‘good luck, son. Your mother and I wish you well.’

‘So what does all this entail?’ asked Mum, suspiciously. I think she was convinced the Time Police ran special courses for racing up and down the timeline, endangering history and generally getting in her way.

‘Six weeks’ basic training, then six months of what they call “gruntwork”. Dealing with minor problems, sorting out naughty people, probably not shooting anyone, that sort of thing. Then I can select my speciality. IT, or admin, or one of the active squads – whatever.’

‘Have you thought about yours?’ enquired Mum.

‘I want to work with the Time Map,’ I said, and could see their relief immediately. I must remember to tell Major Ellis his plan had worked. To get them believing and expecting the worst, and then tell them I wanted to do something benign with the Time Map.

‘Your parents will be so relieved,’ he’d said, grinning at the thought of putting one over on Mum, ‘they’ll agree to anything.’

And it looked as if he’d been right.

1

1

Marietta Hay, commander of the Time Police, settled herself at her desk, fired up her scratchpad and gazed at her adjutant.

‘Well, Charlie, what do you have for me today?’

Captain Farenden opened his first file.

‘Not a lot, ma’am. The finance section has the budget figures you requested.’ He passed them across. ‘Visitor figures are slightly down on last month but not by enough to cause concern; maintenance on the North Chimney has been completed and we lost four officers last month.’

‘Did they run away?’

‘One invalided out and three resignations. They think they can earn more money in the private sector.’

‘That’s the official reason,’ she said. ‘What they mean is they don’t like the direction in which I’m leading this organisation.’

Captain Farenden had not achieved his position without mastering the use of massive tact.

‘It’s a difficult time, ma’am. People don’t like change. They’re bound to feel a little . . . unsettled.’