Borrowed Time. Hugh Miller

sir. I just encountered a little setback, and what with one thing and another, my call-in got delayed. I’ve already smacked my wrist on your behalf.’

      ‘Quite right. Are your problems sorted out now? Can I rely on you sticking to our agreed schedule from here on?’

      ‘Yes, sir, you can.’

      ‘Fine. Be careful.’

      He put down the phone and immediately the black one beside it warbled. He picked it up, glancing at the clock. He had planned to leave half an hour ago.

      ‘Philpott.’

      ‘Thomas Lubbock.’

      Philpott’s eyes narrowed. A call direct from the Director of Policy Control could only mean the pressure was being turned up.

      ‘What can I do for you?’

      ‘Pencil a date in your diary.’ Lubbock’s voice was cold and offhand, a model of rehearsed detachment. ‘Wednesday, March twelfth. Techniques-and-procedures review.’