Ben stared at her. 'But surely there will be help. The government, the United Nations…'
Halima smiled patiently. 'Humanitarian aid?' she said with irony in her voice. 'Yes, there will be some of that, for a while. But Udok's difficulties will soon be forgotten by the powerful people. Life in my village will be extremely difficult for many years to come.'
A cloud seemed to have descended on the room. 'Being a hero is not always easy, Ben Tracey.' Halima glanced apologetically at his mum. 'And now, you are with your family. I will not intrude any longer. But perhaps I will see you again one day?'
Ben stood up. 'I hope so,' he said sincerely.
Halima smiled modestly. She stepped up to Ben, put one hand on his arm, and kissed him lightly on the cheek.
'Goodbye, Ben,' she said.
Then she turned and left the room, closing the door quietly behind her.
Ben stared at the shut door for a few moments, strange emotions running through him. He touched his fingers to his cheek where Halima had kissed him. When he turned, his mum was watching him, one eyebrow raised and an amused look on her face.
'What?' he asked her defensively, acutely aware that he was beginning to blush.
'Nothing,' Bel said.
Her voice was heavy with meaning.
'Nothing at all.'
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chris Ryan joined the SAS in 1984 and was involved in numerous operations with the Regiment. During the first Gulf War he was the only member of an eight-man team to escape from Iraq, three colleagues being killed and four captured. It was the longest escape and evasion in the history of the SAS and for this he was awarded the Military Medal. He wrote about his remarkable escape in The One Who Got Away (1995), which was also adapted for screen.
Chris left the SAS in 1994 and is now the author of many bestselling titles for both adults and children, including the Alpha Force series and two previous Code Red adventures: Flash Flood and Wildfire. His adult thriller The Watchman has been optioned for a movie.
His work in security takes Chris around the world, and he has also demonstrated his skills in different scenarios by presenting a number of television series, including Hunting Chris Ryan, Pushed to the Limit and Terror Alert.
