TIME TO SERVE: CH 1 PREVIEW
Acknowledgements:
Firstly I would like to thank my team of four proofreaders. They have worked tirelessly again correcting my spelling, grammar and making me delete the waffle where necessary to make this an enjoyable read for you.
I also have to thank my sister Julie. I couldn't have asked for a better marketing manager. Without her help I wouldn't have my books on the shelves in WH Smith, or have been interviewed on the radio.
Lastly the staff and management at the WH Smith store in the Grosvenor Centre Northampton. Your support and help in promoting a local author has been outstanding.
This book is dedicated to Jon.
At 7.10pm on the 12th August 2013, whilst on the motorway in Spain, your quick thinking and decisive actions saved my life in a car accident.
I will never be able to thank you enough for this.
BOOK TWO
CHAPTER ONE
Wednesday August 13th 2262
11:14:29 hours
The BBC Audio News Broadcast with Hoagy Benedict
Hoagy: ...and finally this morning, and just before the weather, we have some entertainment news from our show business correspondent Jessica Plumb in Leicester Square, London England. Jessica, are you there?
Jessica: Good morning Hoagy, indeed I am.
Hoagy: It's sounding very loud and 'very' busy there Jessica; what exactly has been going on?
Jessica: Well Hoagy, the numbers of journalists, holovie critics and the public have been increasing here for the last few hours, as has the excitement. You would have to have been living on another planet for the last few months not to have known about the premiere of the latest Jeremiah Spielberg epic Back To The Future.
This holovie is a remake of an old cinematic two dimensional style 'film', as they were called back then. The original (released way back in 1985) was a huge box office success, and was in fact the most successful film of that year.
Many a classic film, from before and after that period, had been remade in the holovie format, so it has been felt that this remake has long been overdue. There has been no expense spared according to the production team. The specially selected two hundred journalists, holovie critics, cast and crew previewing the interactive blockbuster in a little over thirty minutes, are said to be in for the 'thrill of a lifetime'!
Hoagy: It does sound amazing. Are you going to be one of those lucky two hundred?
Jessica: Yes, I am one of the privileged few Hoagy. I shall be reviewing the holovie with you just after 14:00 hours.
Hoagy: I look forward to that then...Jessica, I understand that Benjamin Fox is a descendant of the original 'film's' male lead?
Jessica: He is indeed. Originally Michael J Fox played the part of Marty McFly; today, two hundred and seventy seven years later, another Fox takes the role - Benjamin Fox. He's a very, very distant relation to Michael; I'm not sure how many generations apart they are; I guess it could be as many as eight or nine; we will look into that though and let you know in the 14:00 hours bulletin. 'Time will tell', as they say, if Benjamin can make as much of a success of it as Michael did!
Hoagy: (Groan) Oh Jessica, that was a 'bad' time related pun.
Jessica: Hahaha! Sorry Hoagy! I will catch up with you just after 14:00 hours.
Hoagy: Thanks Jessica...My, that certainly was loud in Leicester Square. Now; on to the weather.
There will be no significant change in the weather from the last few days, or even the last few weeks. The dry spell will continue for another eleven days and four hours over England, Scotland and Ireland. Wales will enjoy a further thirteen days and two hours. The top three daytime temperatures this afternoon are London 33 degrees, Manchester 32.8 and Cardiff 31,5 degrees Celsius.
That is all for now, join me again for the 12:00 hours bulletin when...(a few seconds of silence)...Excuse me a moment...I am just receiving information on a story...just breaking...I am hearing that we are to go live to Somerset; and most unusually not to one of our journalists from the BBC...A member of the government has been assaulted in her own home...We are now hooking up with the independent reporter Hector Humphreys for a live simultaneous broadcast with many other newscasters. Let's find out what's happening, Hector...?
Hector: Good morning from Somerset. I'm Hector Humphreys, an independent journalist. You join me in the beautiful gardens of what can only be described as a fabulous mansion. This is the property of one of the most talked about members of government at the moment, Hillary Jane Bartlett. She is here with me now, her fiancé Norman Bradleigh is by her side. We will hear from them both shortly but first a reminder of exactly who Ms Bartlett is, and the vital role she plays within the government.. Ms Bartlett is the leader of the English War Assembly and has been battling for a long lasting peace deal with the Russians for the last two years. Only last week she chaired the ground-breaking meeting with Russian diplomats in New Downing Street. This was the first time Russians had been to New Downing Street since the start of the war one hundred and twenty two years earlier. Sadly though today isn't about Ms Bartlett's tireless efforts for peace with Russia, but about a vicious attack that happened right here last night. It is with regret that I must report the heinous rape of Ms Bartlett, and the brutal assault of her fiancé Mr Bradleigh. Ms Bartlett would you tell us exactly what happened last night?
Hillary: Norman and I had decided to go out separately last night, I was to catch up with an old girlfriend for a drink or two in New York and Norman was in Northampton at a museum launch with his brother. My friend failed to show so I was left alone in a bar in New York. I was about to leave when a gentleman came over and offered to buy me a drink. This happens quite often when I'm out; I tend to get recognised wherever I go, I guess people just want to chat when they have seen your face so many times on news broadcasts.
Hector: I'm sure they do. What happened next? How did this man end up in your bedroom?
Hillary: Mr Humphreys, you do make it sound quite sordid and premeditated; I must take offence at your implications!
Hector: I am deeply sorry Ms Bartlett; I could have perhaps phrased it a little better. I meant; could you tell us how it went from a fan of yours kindly buying you a drink to a violent rape?
Hillary: Apology accepted Mr Humphreys; I understand you are new to live interviews so I won't hold it against you...anyway, after staying long enough with this gentleman, Simon I believe his name is, to be polite, I made my excuses and left. I teleported straight home, I was very tired and in need of my bed. Norman was going to stop at his brother's so it was a good chance for me to have an early-ish night.
I had been home for what felt like a matter of minutes when I had a call on my strap from the man at the bar. I took the call; he informed me that I had left a gift behind, one that I had meant to give to my friend. I told him to leave it at the bar and I would have it sent on at some point.
Hector: What happened next?
Hillary: There was a knock at my front door before I knew it...
Hector: How extraordinary!
Hillary: Quite! A most unusual occurrence at any time; and at that hour of the night I was more than a little surprised. In hindsight I should have alerted my security team; they could have teleported in within seconds at the press of a panic button, but I guess, a little tired and weary I wasn't thinking straight so I opened it. Simon was stood there holding the gift I had told him to leave at the bar.
Hector: How did he know where you lived Ms Bartlett? And how did he get into the grounds?
Hillary: It wouldn't be difficult to get our address if you really wanted to; it is not a secret. I believe he got into the grounds via the main gates.
Hector: I passed through those myself earlier; they certainly look secure enough to keep out an intruder.
Hillary: If they had been closed and locked then they would have been. We had our gardeners in several times last week and it looks like one of them must have left the gates open at some point.
Hector: That was a bit of bad luck. Shouldn't the security system alert you to that fact though?
Hillary: It should have. The matter is being investigated; in the interim I have suspended the head gardener's indefinitely.
Hector: So you opened the front door, then what happened?
Hillary: Well, it was a little awkward; he appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. He said he had returned the gift for me. As I went to take it from him he stepped in. He seemed very impressed with the house and started staggering around room by room. I thought if I offered him another drink he may leave afterwards. Very naive of me I know, I feel a little embarrassed talking about it now. I was so stupid.
Hector: You weren't to know he was going to turn on you.
Hillary: I guess not. (Sigh)
Hector: I can see this is quite distressing for you both, would you like me to carry on Ms Bartlett?
Hillary: Thank you, but no...The drink didn't work and made him more - I guess excitable. He rushed up the stairs with it and started wandering round various rooms. I went up after him worried that he may damage or try to steal something. I entered our bedroom with the intention of discreetly calling for help. I hadn't had time to do anything when he rushed me from behind and...and...
Hector: I don't think we need to go into the finer details but needless to say he violently raped you.
Hillary: That's right.
Hector: Mr Bradleigh, at what point did you return home?
Norman: I...can't remember...exactly; it's all a bit of a blur...I...
Hillary: Norman is suffering from concussion, and has a very sketchy memory of the events. He returned home when I didn't answer a call from him; he was a little worried that there was a problem. Simon was part way through his...monstrous act when Norman heroically burst in brandishing a wooden walking stick. He fought with Simon who after a few minuted fled into the night. I don't like to think what would have happened if Norman hadn't shown up when he did.
Hector: Very brave of you indeed Mr Bradleigh. You must have feared for your own life as well as Ms Bartlett's?
Norman: ...Err...yes. I did...I couldn't stand by...something flipped in me and I just charged at him.
Hector: I see you have some shocking wounds, are you in a lot of pain? That head wound looks particularly nasty from what I can see through the gel dressing.
Hillary: He is getting the best medical treatment there is. Now we would like some time to ourselves. Norman needs to rest and I have to make a formal statement to the GPA.
Hector: Will you be taking some time off work Ms Bartlett?
Hillary: I have spoken to the Prime Minister earlier this morning; I have the full support of the government. I will be taking some time off, but will be returning to my duties very soon.
Hector: I see that you are keen to finish the interview, but just quickly before you go, is it true that a Mr Simon R Kingsley has been apprehended in relation to last night's events?
Hillary: Yes, that is correct.
Hector: Thank you both for taking the time to speak to me.
This has been Hector Humphreys, an independent journalist, reporting to you live from Somerset. I will now hand you back to your individual broadcasters...
Hoagy: Very disturbing news there from Somerset. Just to recap. A senior member of the government, the head of the English War Assembly, has been allegedly raped in her own home and her fiancé physically assaulted in the process. A Mr Simon R Kingsley, whom we have just found out works at The Northampton Museum of Humanity, has been apprehended in connection with the alleged crime. We will bring you more on that story and the rest of the day's news in the next bulletin at 12:00 hours.
This has been Hoagy Benedict, with the BBC News Audio Broadcast.