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Chapters (52)
  1. Title
  2. Copyright
  3. About the Book
  4. About the Author
  5. Also By
  6. Contents
  7. Dedication
  8. Roll Call
  9. A Brief History of the Time Wars
  10. Jane
  11. Luke
  12. Matthew
  13. 1
  14. 2
  15. 3
  16. 4
  17. 5
  18. 6
  19. 7
  20. 8
  21. 9
  22. 10
  23. 11
  24. 12
  25. 13
  26. 14
  27. 15
  28. 16
  29. 17
  30. 18
  31. 19
  32. 20
  33. 21
  34. 22
  35. 23
  36. 24
  37. 25
  38. 26
  39. 27
  40. 28
  41. 29
  42. 30
  43. 31
  44. 32
  45. 33
  46. 34
  47. 35
  48. 36
  49. 37
  50. Epilogue
  51. Author’s Note
  52. A Note on Recruitment

‘Sorry, Dad. No can do. Busy evening ahead. I need to visit Major Ellis and see how he’s doing. I need to congratulate Officer North on her tray technique. And then I’m going to take Jane and Matthew out for a drink and a nice meal. On me, guys. So, sorry, Dad, as you can see – no time to go to Hong Kong.’

They stared at each other.

Parrish senior’s voice was flat and dangerous. ‘I see you continue to disappoint me.’

‘Well, Dad, I suspect until you stop measuring me by your own standards then I will always do so. In fact, now I come to think of it – I’m rather proud to do so.’

‘Luke – I am your father.’

There was a moment’s silence and then every person in the room suddenly found something to look at that didn’t include any of the other people in the room. Jane mentally scrutinised her wardrobe with regard to the forthcoming evening out. Matthew stared solidly ahead, turning his mind to solving a complex Time Map issue. Commander Hay regarded her empty desk with an expression of fierce concentration and Captain Farenden mentally reviewed the agenda for Friday’s budget meeting.

It was Luke himself who broke the silence. Shrugging, he said, ‘Well, that’s as may be, sir, but I no longer regard myself as your son. You shoved me into the Time Police to suit your own ends and it’s turned out to be exactly what I needed. Not what I wanted, but what I needed. And I quite like it here. So no. No, I’m not leaving. And no, I’m not going to Hong Kong. I’m staying here with people who know my favourite colour is blue and that I don’t like sprouts.’

Parrish senior glanced at his watch. ‘In that case, Luke, you may expect no further communication from me.’

The door slammed behind him. Captain Farenden followed him. ‘I’ll just make sure he can find his own way out, ma’am.’

‘Thank you, Charlie.’

Commander Hay turned to Luke, who was looking rather white. ‘Well, was I right?’

He pulled himself together. ‘Good heavens, no, ma’am. Can’t stand the colour blue and sprouts are the food of the gods.’

‘Oh. Well. Never mind.’ She smiled slightly. ‘After such a public display of affection it looks as if we’re stuck with each other for a while, Mr Parrish.’

‘Looks that way, ma’am.’

‘I suspect that, for one reason or another, we shall be seeing a great deal of each other in the future.’

He smiled that confident, cocky Parrish smile. ‘If I am very lucky, ma’am.’

‘Lockland, Farrell – get him out of here. Now.’

‘Yes, ma’am.’

Epilogue

Epilogue