The Gang of Four

‘What did the Prime Minister want to talk to you about?’ asked Warner as she and Alan departed Number Ten.

  ‘Oh, nothing much.’

  Warner firmly held Alan’s arm, forcing him to stop: ‘It must have been something, you’re as white as a sheet!’

  ‘Honestly, it was nothing, Helen!’

  ‘As you wish.’

  Gavin and the BMW were waiting at Parliament Street. Alan and Warner quickly clambered in to escape the driving rain.

  ‘Alright, Alan, keep your little secrets, see if I care. I guess you’ll want dropping off at your apartment. We can resume with all this madness on Monday.’

  ‘Actually, Helen, I’ve been in touch with my parents and they’re on their way to London now. I’m to meet them at Paddington, and then we’ll hang out for the remainder of the day.’

  ‘Oh, alright. Paddington, Gavin.’

  ‘I was wondering if you’d like to join us?’ Alan added.

  Warner looked shocked but then shook her head: ‘You should spend some time alone with your parents. You’ve all got rather a lot of catching up to do.’

  ‘You’re probably right. But how about tomorrow? I don’t want to rattle around in my apartment all day, on my own. Would you like to do something? With me?’

  ‘Sure,’ Warner eventually replied, after an agonisingly long delay.

  ***