He spoke briefly into it, and then rang off. A few moments later, it rang, so he answered it. He spoke in hushed tones for several minutes, looking at me every now and again.
Finally, he finished the call.
“That was the DAC, he has approved close protection for you.”
“DAC?”
“Deputy Assistant Commissioner. You have to realise the level that Frankie Holland plays at. We are talking big time villainy here.”
“How big time?”
“We are talking highest level corruption, and beyond.”
“Oh. What is close protection, I won’t have to be kept in an hotel room for six months, or anything, will I?””
“Don’t worry, you just live your life, and we keep an eye on you, we will keep you well clear.”
“I’m not worried about you, it’s my stupid old man. He’ll try something idiotic and probably fuck up as a result,” I said, and he laughed again.
“Come on, I’ll give you a lift.”
We walked out to his car, I looked about me; it was hard to keep a handle on reality sometimes. It was as if I was living in someone else’s twisted dream, and one never knew what was just around the corner.
I shook my head, as if to clear my brain, like some form of mental etch-a-sketch, and got into the car.
“So, what do you do?” he asked.
“I’m still at school. I take my A levels next year.”
“What do you want to do?”
“Survive,” I said, quite honestly, but he laughed as if I cracked a joke.
“Well, you must have some idea?”
“I don’t know, as there’s a lot going on in my life at present. I suppose I’d like to do something with clothes design.”
He nodded. “I have no doubt that you’ll succeed in whatever you attempt. You have that air of determination about you. You have the looks and figure to make a cracking model.”
I smiled.
“Yeah,” I said, cynically.
He dropped me at the station.
“Sandi, your protection officers will make themselves known to you in the next couple of days. Give me a contact number they can reach you on.”
I told him my mobile number.
“Okay. For the most part, you won’t see them, just let them know what you are up to, and they will watch your back.”
“Don’t they sleep?”
“Yes. At least not at the same time.”
“Two bodyguards. I don’t think I am that important.”
“Never under estimate what you have just given me. There are four in a team. Besides it won’t be for too long, there is enough here for us to act, and soon. You may see something about it in the news in the not too distant future.”
“Oh, well, I’d better go.”
“Take care, and if you see your father again, tell him hi from me.”
I smiled and shook his hand, and then I turned and went to catch my train.
When I got back, I found that my absence was being treated with some degree of mild panic. Jenny had called Dave, and they were scouring the local area for me. As I walked in, having ridden back from the station, they greeted me in a manner not dissimilar to the return of the prodigal son. All they were missing was the fatted calf.
I explained to an almost hysterical Jenny that I was taking care of my father’s business. She then looked at me in a funny way, and asked me whether I had bumped anyone off.
I was helping restock the bar, the next morning, when my mobile rang.
“Hello?”
“Is that Sandi?” a male voice asked.
“Who’s this?”
“My name is Scott Collins, I’m a police officer. I’m the sergeant responsible for looking after you for the next couple of weeks. Jim Randall asked me to contact you, as I need to meet you and discuss how we are going to do this.”
“Do you know the Fairley Hotel, just outside Brighton?”
“Nope, but if you give me directions, then I’ll find it.”
I gave him directions, and he said he would pop in at lunchtime.
I then explained to Jenny’s Dad that the matter was in the hands of the police, and he seemed much relieved. I sat down with him and Liz and was completely honest with them, or as far as I could be. I explained that I had to use the name Sandi Hemmings, and that I was now under the protection of the Metropolitan Police firearms team.
I could see from their expressions that they were uneasy with the situation, so I asked them if they wanted me to leave.
Liz smiled.
“No dear. You’ve managed this far, lets stick it out, hopefully, it won’t be for too much longer.” she said.
“If the police need somewhere to stay, we have the old staff block. They are basic, and we will renovate them soon, but they should do for a while,” John suggested.
I was overwhelmed with their support, and hugged them both.
I was in the Dining room laying up the tables when John came in.
“Sandi, there is a man looking for you,” he said.
I must have looked worried, as he smiled.
“He says he’s a policeman,” he added.
I walked through with him to the bar, and there was a tall man, in his late twenties, dressed in casual jeans and a polo shirt.
“Hi, Sandi?” he asked.
“Yeah, Scott?”
“Yup. Scott Collins. How are you?”
“Better now you are here,” I admitted, and he smiled.
John told us to use the office, so we went in, he shut the door.
“Okay, my team is going to be looking after you for a few days. So, I need to know your movements, so we can plan our day.”
“Will you need accommodation?” I asked.
“Why?”
I explained John’s offer, and Scott smiled.
“That solves one problem. That would be great.”
I then explained my daily routine to him. He took copious notes, asking me about who my friends were, and their vehicle details. I explained that I was using the name Sandi Hemmings, just to give myself extra protection. He nodded, and didn’t ask how I managed to acquire the documentation.
“Out task is simple, to watch your back and not to show out. I will introduce the team to you, just so you know us. It’s important that you never ever show that you know us or have ever seen us before.”
“How long are you on this?” I asked.
“Until we get told to leave you alone. The Serious Crime Squad is taking this over, so it must be pretty heavy.”
“Oh.”
He went over what I had told him, and seemed satisfied that he had everything he needed.
“I’m going into hospital in a couple of weeks, I may be there for a few days,” I said.
“Oh yes, what is that for?”
I blushed.
“Women’s problems,” I said, and left it at that. Fortunately, he was as embarrassed as I, and left it there.
He disappeared, but over the next day or so I got to know the other three officers who were to be my guardian angels.
Life went on, and so I almost forgot about them. There was always a car parked near the school, and although I never saw the officers, I knew they were watching.
I really got into my clothes design, and my teacher helped me finish them off. I had made them to fit me, and now I was committed to model them myself.
I was just putting the finishing touches to the last garment, when Dave walked in to the workshop.
“Hi, I don’t normally see you in here?” I said.
He had a strange expression on his face, so my heart sank.
“Sandi?”
I sat down, and he saw the anguish in my eyes.
“I’m leaving. It’s my last day today.”
I knew that, so what? I thought.
“And?” I asked, waiting for the, ‘I’ve found someone else.’ bit
“I want you to be my partner at the Leaver’s Ball on Saturday.”
“The fashion show is on Saturday,” I said, feeling relieved but frustrated at the same time.