She walked away a few paces to give Matthew and his father some privacy, breathing in the fresh air. There could not, she reflected, be a greater contrast between St Mary’s and the Time Police. TPHQ was in the centre of London; St Mary’s was out in the countryside – where it could do the least damage was the perceived wisdom of the Time Police. The Time Police dealt with Time; St Mary’s with History – and each of them regarded themselves as of prime importance and the other as being a menace to society in general. She knew there had been a big battle fought here once and the Time Police – to use an expression – had had their arses handed to them on a plate. Part of the reason for Matthew’s unpopularity, she guessed, although she suspected his being a long-haired weirdo would also be at the top of the list.

The pod turned up. Exactly on time. Because they were the Time Police and it was always Time that was important. Time is the framework of the universe. The empty room. History is just the furniture therein. To be moved around, added to or discarded as fashion dictated.

Entering the pod, she smiled shyly at Matthew. ‘Sorry I didn’t get to meet your mum.’

He just grinned. ‘First member of the Time Police ever to say that.’

On their return, Jane met North in the corridor, who raised an eyebrow. ‘What did you think of them?’

‘Well,’ she said, recalling her afternoon. ‘Someone called Bashford nearly drowned while they were arguing about the best way to save him and his chicken got very upset. Two old men kept shouting at each other. They tipped the pool over and the flood of water shorted out the electrics. There was a woman with scarlet hair but she was very nice. They made me drink tea. It was horrible. Matthew’s dad was nice, though.’

‘You didn’t meet his mother?’

‘No, why?’

‘Oh – no reason. It always amuses me to think that one day some unfortunate woman is going to find herself with the mother-in-law from hell.’

7

7

Every team was ranked after each assignment and the ratings posted in the main briefing room. Luke was surprisingly furious to find Team 236 at the bottom.

‘We’re just a bloody joke, aren’t we?’

Major Ellis considered him for a moment. ‘In what way?’

‘Well, look at the assignments we get.’

‘You’ve only had one.’

‘Exactly my point.’

‘What was wrong with it?’

‘Henry Plimpton?’

‘Would you rather have shot him?’

‘No, but we haven’t actually shot anyone at all, have we?’

‘Did you want to?’

‘Well . . . no . . . not really, but . . . we are the Time Police, after all. It’s what the Time Police do.’

Ellis tried not to sigh. ‘It’s not all we do.’

‘But you’re famous for it.’