Twenty vehicles, some of them distinctly difficult to manoeuvre in a London street. Which was why the convoy would ideally be routed on roads wide enough for tactical freedom, in the event of a disruption. Led by Kev, Easy Rider calling the shots to his Working Bikes. Their job being to clear the route ahead. And keep it clear, until the convoy was through.

‘Rampage Bronze to all Rampage callsigns, two-minute warning. All callsigns prepare to move. Two minutes.’

Mickey climbed into the passenger seat of the Prot Merc van waiting behind the Harrier Beemers. Exchanging knowing glances with Wade. The other two officers waiting next to the vehicle, watching their arcs.

‘Everyone’s talking about you, Skipper.’

Mickey smirked at him with a bravado he wasn’t entirely at home with yet. But which he knew Jasmine Chen’s presumed leak to the Clarion would make his default setting for the rest of his career. The copper who told a government minister that he was a cunt and to fuck right off? If you say so, Assistant Commissioner.

‘Goes with the turf, Wade mate. Do me a favour, don’t burst their bubbles, eh?’

Wade nodded with a knowing smile. ‘I won’t spoil the story. I only wish it were true.’

Mickey pulled a lopsided smile. His “jaundiced cynic” face.

‘It already pretty much is. And give it another month or two and it’ll be the only version that anyone other than you and me remembers. But in the meantime, Wade, I’d focus on not driving into the back of the car in front. I don’t think the Met would thank you for buggering up their no claims discount.’

‘Rampage Bronze to all Rampage callsigns. POTUS and FLOTUS are travel ready.’

Prot officers and Secret Service mounted up. The latter in their long coats and special black glasses. Wraparound, and, Mickey suspected, with some sort of head-up display linked to their weapons. Kev led them away, taking the turn onto the Mall at ten miles per hour. Knowing that the secret of a London motorcade was to keep it as slow as needed to avoid the vehicles getting strung out. And, God forbid, leaving spaces into which other vehicles might be inserted.

‘Easy Rider, Romeo Control.’

Uh-oh, Mickey thought. A call straight to Kev from LX could only be a traffic problem.

‘Easy Rider. Go ahead.’

‘Easy Rider, be aware, major accident Hyde Park Corner. Reports of a pedestrian under a bus. Off-duty medic on scene is advising that the casualty cannot be moved until ambulance service reaches the scene.’

‘Romeo Control, all received. Working Two, Easy Rider.’

Kev nipped nimbly into the gap before Bronze Command decided to have an opinion.

‘Easy Rider, Working Two.’