‘Ma’am, with respect, in any other situation and with anyone other than Parrish, you’d be lauding his initiative to the skies. His improv abilities are obviously first-rate. Look at his planning and his execution. Look at his leadership skills. He’s loyal to his team, which, I don’t have to remind you, is a highly esteemed Time Police quality. It was Parrish who got Lockland through Tutankhamun’s tomb, and thanks to him, the Lockland that came out wasn’t the same Lockland who went in. Because he held her together. Yes, I know he’s unconventional, but if you look at his results rather than his means of achieving them, I think you’ll agree he has the makings of a fine officer.’

‘Unfortunately, today, he has left me in a position where I’m required to scrutinise his means of achievement very closely indeed.’

She addressed the medtec calmly going about his business in the happy knowledge none of this was anything to do with him. ‘Where is Farrell now?’

‘Recovery room, ma’am.’

‘What’s he doing there?’

‘Er . . . recovering, ma’am.’

‘Is he conscious yet?’

‘Not really, ma’am.’

‘You will advise me the second he can string two coherent words together.’

‘Yes, ma’am.’ He fled.

With a final glare calculated to sear Major Ellis to his own sheets, she left the room. As the door closed behind her, Major Ellis slowly and carefully swung his legs out of bed, at the same time reaching for his com.

‘North? Come and give me a hand, will you?’

Ten minutes later, they were in the recovery room where Matthew Farrell, his hair even more vertically disarranged than ever, was staring vaguely around him.

Ellis sat heavily at the foot of his bed. ‘Matthew.’

‘Oh . . . hello. Uncle Sir.’

‘Matthew, where did they go?’

‘Mm?’

‘Matthew, this is important. Where did they go?’

‘Who?’

‘Parrish and Lockland. Where did they go? Where did the pod take them?’

‘Pod?’

Ellis took a deep breath but North forestalled him. ‘One moment, please, sir.’

Sitting on other people’s beds was for lesser people, but she stationed herself at the foot of the bed where he could see her easily.

‘Matthew, Jane forgot her notebook. You know how upset she gets if she doesn’t have it with her. Can you tell me where she is so I can take it to her?’

His heavy eyes peered out from under his thick thatch of allegedly styled hair and it seemed to her that suddenly, they were nowhere near as hazy as before. His next words proved it. Holding out his hand, he said, ‘I’ll take it to her.’

‘Excellent idea,’ said Ellis before North could say a word. ‘Let’s get you dressed, shall we.’

Another ten minutes later and they were lugging an uncoordinated trainee in the direction of the Pod Bay. He could walk – he just needed steering. Ellis, however, still required some support.