Point Blank

the idea of a fourteen-year-old boy being used as a spy. It’s dangerous—‛
    ‚I can look after myself,‛ Alex cut in.
    ‚I mean, it’s dangerous to the government. If you manage to get yourself killed and anyone finds out, it could cause the prime minister a great deal of embarrassment.‛ Sir David sighed. ‚I advised him against it, but for once he overruled me. It seems that the decision has already been made. This school—the academy—has already telephoned me to say that the assistant director will be coming here to pick you up next Saturday. It’s a woman. A Mrs. Stellenbosch. That’s a South African name, I think.‛
    Sir David had a number of bulky files on his desk. He slid them forward. ‚In the meantime, I understand you have to familiarize yourself with details about my family. I’ve prepared a number of files. You’ll also find information here about the school you’re meant to have been expelled from—Eton. You can start reading them tonight.‛ Alex took them and he went on. ‚If you need to know anything more, just ask. Fiona will be with you the whole time.‛ He glanced down at his fingertips. ‚I’m sure that in itself will be quite an experience for you.‛
    The door opened and a woman came in. She was slim with dark hair, very much like her daughter. She was wearing a simple mauve dress with a string of pearls around her neck.
    ‚David,‛ she began, then stopped, seeing Alex.
    ‚This is my wife,‛ Friend said. ‚Caroline, this is the boy I was telling you about. Alex.‛
    ‚It’s very nice to meet you, Alex.‛ Lady Caroline tried to smile but her lips managed only a faint twitch. ‚I understand you’re going to stay with us for a while.‛
    ‚Yes, Mother,‛ Alex said.
    Lady Caroline blushed.
    ‚He has to pretend to be our son,‛ Sir David reminded her. He turned to Alex. ‚Fiona doesn’t know anything about MI6 and the rest of it. I don’t want to alarm her. I’ve told her that it’s connected with my work … a social experiment, if you like. She’s to pretend you’re her brother, to give you a week in the country as part of the family. I’d prefer it if you didn’t tell her the truth.‛
    ‚Dinner is in half an hour,‛ Lady Caroline said. ‚Do you eat venison?‛ She sniffed.
    ‚Perhaps you’d like to shower before you eat? I’ll show you to your room.‛
    Sir David stood up. ‚You’ve got a lot of reading to do. I’m afraid I have to go back to London tomorrow—I have lunch with the president of France—so I won’t be able to help you.
    But, as I say, if there’s anything you don’t know…‛
    ‚Fiona Friend,‛ Alex said.
    Alex had been given a small, comfortable room at the back of the house. He took a quick shower, then put his old clothes back on again. He liked to feel clean but he had to look grimy—
    it suited the character of the boy he was supposed to be. He opened the first of the files. Sir David had been thorough. He had given Alex the names and recent histories of just about the entire family, as well as photographs of vacations, details of the house and stables in Mayfair, the apartments in New York, Paris, and Rome, and the villa in Barbados. There were newspaper clippings, magazine articles … everything he could possibly need.
    A gong sounded. It was seven o’clock. Alex went downstairs and into the dining room. The room had six windows and a polished mahogany table long enough to seat fifteen. But only the three of them were there: Sir David, Lady Caroline, and Fiona. The food had already been served, presumably by a butler or cook. Sir David gestured at an empty chair. Alex sat down.
    ‚Fiona was just talking about Soloman,‛ Lady Caroline said. There was a pause. ‚Soloman is a horse. We have lots of horses.‛ She turned to Alex. ‚Do you ride?‛
    ‚Only my bicycle,‛ Alex said.
    ‚I’m sure Alex isn’t interested in horses,‛ Fiona said. She appeared to be in a bad mood. ‚In fact, I doubt if we have anything in common. Why do I have to pretend he’s my brother? The whole thing is completely—‛
    ‚Fiona…,‛ Sir David muttered in a low voice.
    ‚Well, it’s all very well having him here, Daddy, but it is meant to be my Easter vacation.‛
    Alex realized that Fiona must go to a private school. Her term would have ended earlier than his. ‚I don’t think it’s fair.‛
    ‚Alex is here because of my work,‛ Sir David continued. It was strange, Alex thought, the way they talked about him