She spent a couple of minutes stripping a few compromising pages from the file on the furniture factory takeover. She dropped them into an envelope, did a quick Google search and addressed it to the editor of a local newspaper based close to the Welsh furniture factory. It wouldn’t stop the takeover, but at least the bank and the billionaire wouldn’t be able to lie about the takeover benefiting the workers and local community.

Kerry stripped the ID badge from around her neck and hooked it over the monitor before stepping into the hallway. There was a photocopier at the end and Doug was there, looming over a curly-haired graduate yelling, I need those figures by yesterday!

Part of Kerry wanted to take a short run, sweep her boss’ legs and flatten his nose. Part of her wanted to say goodbye to some co-workers she considered friends. But mostly, she just wanted to be out of here.

She handed the envelope to a receptionist. ‘That needs to be sent by urgent courier,’ Kerry explained. ‘Tell Doug I’ve found an outside lawyer and I’m heading there now to sort the Kobyashi contract.’

Kerry’s brain churned as the lift took her down. Thinking about the salary she’d given up and six-figure bonus due in January. Was it crazy to quit a sought-after job for some high-risk mission halfway around the world?

The weird thing was, she’d never felt more sure of anything in her life.

27. DRAWL

‘G’day,’ Capstick shouted, in his annoying Aussie drawl. ‘I’ve got good news.’

The squat instructor stood by the summer hostel swimming pool. Ning, Ryan, Leon, Daniel and Alfie faced him in their CHERUB uniform, while two assistant instructors stood at a console nearby, working out how to retract the electric pool cover.

‘Normally, my job is to persecute you kids and get you into the best shape possible,’ Capstick continued. ‘But this is a different situation. I have twenty-eight days to prepare former CHERUB agents for a highly dangerous mission. They left CHERUB more than five years ago, and most of them now spend their days sat on fat lazy asses behind a desk. Your job is to motivate the grown-ups by showing them how far they’ve fallen off the pace. You’re gonna go on training runs with them. You’ll spar with them, play sport with them and study with them. It’s old CHERUB versus new and I want you to show no mercy.’

‘Current versus Crusty,’ Ryan suggested.

Capstick wagged a finger and laughed. ‘I like those names. So go get your swimmers on, ’cos we’re gonna start with some fun in the pool.’

‘Look at that,’ Bruce teased, poking the ripple of flab over the waistband of Kyle’s swim shorts. ‘And when did that skin last catch some sun?’