“How’s your morning been, Em? Sorry I had to leave early and wasn’t there when you woke.”
“Don’t worry Dad, it’s been okay, I wasn’t worried, Catherine told me you had a meeting and we weren’t in there for much longer after I woke. We’ve just had a massive breakfast.”
“Lucky you, I’m absolutely starving,” I tell her.
“How did you get on?” Josh asks, as he and Catherine catch up with Emily.
“Oh, you know how those things are,” I tell him, “a lot of waiting around for a five-minute briefing with a-holes. They didn’t tell me anything, but I’m sure they are about to take some kind of action.”
“Dad, I know what an a-hole is, I’m not stupid,” Emily scolds me.
“Sorry Em, I know you’re not stupid.” We all smile. “Where’s Dan and the others?”
“They are over the other side; we have a table there,” Catherine says, pointing. “Have you eaten yet?”
“No, I’m famished,” I tell her. “Oh God, sorry. This is Jason,” I say turning to the young Private who has been standing patiently just behind us. I put Emily down and introduce him to the others. “Have you got to get back to your post or do you want to get some brekky with me?”
“I’ll get a quick bite. It would be a shame to come all this way and not fill up, but if you don’t mind, I’ll leave you to it. Sir, I’ve just seen some mates?” Jason says indicating over his shoulder to a group of young squaddies.
“Of course, carry on Private and thanks for the escort.” Jason stands to attention and goes to salute me, but before he does, I offer him my hand which he takes and shakes vigorously, and then he is gone, lost in the crowd of uniforms.
We make our way across the Food Hall, Josh and Emily leading the way, Emily turns and sniggers before saying something to Josh, and I’ve no doubt that it’s because Catherine has taken my hand in hers; Emily finds it very amusing and entertaining.
As we go, I clock where the breakfast is being served off military-issue serving tables, and I eye the length of the queue. The only place with food in the whole of this massive lounge, that will be serving anytime soon. The multiple restaurants and takeaways are all standing idle, even if their kitchens may have been made use of.
As we walk, I’m constantly checking the faces of the people in uniforms to see if there is anyone I know, who I might be able to get some intel from, but I don’t see anyone. It seems like the Army has moved on in the five years since I resigned.
Emily runs ahead to where Stacey, Dan, Alice, Lindsay and Stan are sitting at a more secluded table against a wall and under the hangover of the floor above.
As she gets close to them, I hear her shout, “We found Dad,” and they all look around at us coming towards them.
“Nice fleece, we must stop shopping in the same place,” Dan jokes, as he gets up and gives me a slap on the back greeting.
“Didn’t they have it in your size?” I joke back, and Dan feigns offence. “How is everyone?” I ask more seriously as I move around behind Stacey and put my hand on her shoulder.
Everyone one else seems to be as well as can be expected but Stacey, unsurprisingly, is quiet, seated next to her phone that has a wire leading from it to a plug socket on the wall. I sit in the empty seat next to her.
“How are you holding up?” I ask her, taking her hand.
“I don’t really know, Andy, I’m not sure it has sunk in yet, I was still hoping there might have been a message from Mum or Dad when I got my phone switched on again earlier.”
“So, did I Stacey, but I’m afraid there wasn’t anything, so try and stay strong, I know it’s hard.” I try to soothe, but there isn’t much I can say. The poor girl has just lost her parents. “Have you eaten?” I ask her.
“Some, but I wasn’t really hungry.”
“As long as you’ve had something, it will help you keep your strength up,” I tell her, squeezing her hand.
“Has anyone got any news or heard anything this morning?” I ask everyone.
“We’ve got nothing really,” Dan replies, “They told us we were clear of the virus and let us out, and we had quick showers. Then they took our phone numbers and dropped us here. I’ve had a walk around and tried to gain some intel but I don’t think anyone here knows what’s going on?”
“I didn’t learn much this morning. I was taken to a meeting of the top brass and politicians. The Home and Defence Secretaries were both there, as was Colonel Reed, viewing drone footage of London which included the Orion building, but they just asked me questions about Sir Malcolm and his safe. I told them what we know and I was then asked to leave. I know that Colonel Reed wants to see me again shortly but that is all I have,” I tell the group.
“I can guess what the Colonel wants,” Stan starts, but I shoot him a look and look down at Emily. Stan stops mid-sentence and thankfully, Emily doesn’t seem to register what he was saying.
“Do you think we are allowed to leave here?” Lindsay asks, “my Mum wants to drive down from Oxford to pick me up?”
“I don’t see why that will be a problem, I’m sure we can get that arranged,” I tell her. “Have you had any contact with your superiors, Alice?”
“Nothing, Andy, I’m going to have to report in.”
“Can you hold off for a while until we know what is going on?” I ask her.
“I suppose so, for a while.”
“You’d better get some food
