Tammy: Flying High Part 9: Recriminations Shiraz Turvey & Alecia Snowfall

 
This story follows on from Tammy: Rank Stupidity and Snowfall's Butterflies, Asphalt & Insanity

Part 9: Recriminations
 
When Suzie & Tammy convened in Tammy’s room, they did agree on one matter.

“Mum is clearly confused.”

Tammy let Suzie speak next.

“She’s never done anything like this before, I mean I didn’t think she knew how to book a ticket to fly down here as someone else always does it for her.”

“And then she complains about the time or the plane or the inflight service?”

“And the arrival terminal, Tammy. So this was really out of character, but was it a national security risk?”

“Maybe not, but she gets a session with the shrinks tomorrow. Look, I’m sorry I hit the alarm but what was I to think?”

“Yeah, I want to blame you, but I keep forgetting what you do, what I could only guess you do? We don’t really talk, do we?”

“No, Suzie, but maybe that’s for the best.”

“True, I really don’t want to upset anyone in Personnel Security again.”

“Exactly.”

“Do you think we might be able to arrange tea with a Royal for mum?”

Tammy wanted to suggest that Suzie really wanted that afternoon tea for herself, but Tammy decided not to be cruel.

“You can ask but I really don’t want to upset any more folk.”

“Yeah, fair enough.”

“Look, Suzie, we need to be strong for her. Dad is flying down but won’t be here before tomorrow, that will let me go home and write this all up. I’ll get in trouble however I word it, but so be it.”

“Can you fly them both home?”

“No, I only have my 2 seater here.”

“Oh, you don’t fly that down here very often?”

“I was half way here at Teeside International so I filled her up and flew the rest of the way. I’ll have to stop there or nearby on the way back as there isn’t enough fuel in the tank to do it in one go.”

“I didn’t realise?”

“That’s no different from driving a long distance, you need to know how big your car’s fuel tank is.”

“I don’t drive a long distance.”

Tammy decided to drop the subject.

“I suggest to shower and change for dinner, are you staying?”

“Yes, I hope you like what I brought for you?”

The frock was an LBD so Tammy thanked Suzie and showed her out of the room then headed for her shower after hanging up her uniform.

Dinner was a quiet affair but Dave Brown had joined them as he was another familiar face in the Smart household.

“Who’s house is this?” Joan asked.

Tammy looked at the rest of the table but nodded at Dave so he could answer.

“Mrs Smart, since your daughters won’t answer, I will. This is a Government facility that gives us privacy when we need to discuss sensitive matters. Whatever is said here, stays here.”

Tammy noted the fib.

“Oh, so it’s a meeting place, like a private hotel?”

“Yes, Mum, that’s exactly what it is.”

“Why haven’t I been here before, you and Suzie clearly know your way around?”

“It’s whether you need to be here, Mum. Suzie and I have both needed to be here for meetings in the past.”

“I see. It’s rather nice here.”

“Yes, Mum.”

“Tell me, Dave, what do you do?”

“I’m retired now, I used to be a boring civil servant who either was in meetings or wrote reports most of the time.”

“And you had meetings here?”

“That’s right.”

“Oh, okay.”

Their first course had now arrived so they busied themselves with that.

Joan took herself to bed after dinner but Dave wanted to speak to the girls in the study,

“Tammy, the medical reports are telling me one thing, your own verbal reports have told me something else but my own eyes haven’t been able to confirm either.”

“I hit the panic button when I didn’t need to?”

“Perhaps but I’m not convinced that’s the real issue. Take me back, what the hell has been happening in Thurso of late?”

“It probably started as I flew back from the Caribbean when that coup nearly happened. Suzie, Maisie and I were at the back of Buckingham Palace in the guest quarters.”

“Yes, that was a difficult time, especially when you decided to take pot shots.”

“It was that or she was going to attack me, Dave. You know what happened.”

“Okay, so how did that play out?”

“Myself, Maisie and Lizzie were invited for tea with Her Majesty. Suzie got the hump over that and complained to mum about it.”

“Is that true, Suzie?”

“Yes, Dave. I didn’t see the bigger picture, I didn’t know what those girls had done.”

“And you shouldn’t have expected to know, Suzie, the whole intelligence industry works on the basis of what you need to know, and you are excluded from everything else. That is normal. You don’t have a right to know what Tammy had been doing, and she shouldn’t have told you.”

“Yes, Dave, I understand now.”

“You understand, Suzie, as you attended a private investiture when Tammy was awarded some honours. The Duchess made it clear to you that Tammy’s work was so different from your own.”

“Yes, and if news about the honours leaked they would know it was me?”

“Correct. So what’s been happening recently?”

“I’ve seen Tammy and Maisie a few times and I’ve told mum that I’ve seen them, I didn’t think that was a state secret?”

“Maybe not, but did you stop to consider what would happen if your mum started telling strangers where Tammy and Maisie had been? Joan hasn’t had security training as she shouldn’t need it, but that depended on her daughters not giving her titbits of tattle about what you have all been doing?”

“Yes, I realise that now.”

“Only now, Suzie?”

“Yes, when Tammy asked me not to tell mum about the baby.” Suzie started to sob.

“So you were given a specific request to keep that news to yourself?”

Suzie nodded.

“Have you?”

“Yes.”

“But that’s not a secret?”

“I was asked.”

“So, Suzie, you’ll happily tell your mum about Tammy’s secret stuff but draw the line at a pregnancy, because you were asked?”

“It’s not like that, mum asks me and I don’t always know, so I blame Tammy for not telling me!”

“Ah, so Joan has a go at Tammy because she doesn’t natter and gossip on the phone?”

“Yes.”

“So Joan’s behaviour could be blamed on you?”

“Maybe.”

Dave turned to Tammy. “What do you tell your mum?”

“Almost nothing, but in contrast she tells me nothing about what happens in the school?”

“You left St Andrews three years ago?”

“Yes, Dave.”

“Do you expect to be told what’s happening there?”

“No, and Dad doesn’t say anything either.”

“Either as Chairman of the Board of Governors or as Chairman of Smart Air?”

“No.”

“Do you expect him to tell you anything?”

Tammy shrugged. “He’ll tell me if I need to know.”

“Okay, but you do tell him stuff?”

“I value his opinion, especially in business, banking and aircraft management.”

“So he knows about your helicopters?”

“No.”

Suzie mouthed “helicopters?”

“So, Tammy, what does he know?”

“I asked Jim, the senior engineer at Smart Air about permits for helicopter facilities, He passed that to dad, who asked me directly in a board meeting last week.”

“In an open meeting?”

“Yes, unfortunately.”

“That was a breach?”

“No Dave, because any applications for permits will be public knowledge.”

“It could lead to project cancellation, Tammy?”

“Perhaps, but that would be a waste of all the work that’s been done so far?”

“So have you and your father fallen out over this?”

“No, but I haven’t told him about some,er, training I’m booked to do even though it’s something I’m paying for myself.”

“So you’re restricting information?”

“For now, yes.”

“I take it that Maisie is pregnant?”

“That’s correct.”

“Who knows?”

“Suzie, Dad, Joey in my office, the Colonel, Heather, Maisie’s father and Lizzie. There’s probably a few more beside that.”

“Not your mum?”

“Last Wednesday we flew to Aberdeen to tell Maisie’s dad in person and that evening I invited mum and dad for dinner. Mum decided to rip into me so I didn’t think it was appropriate to tell her about the baby in case she used that information against me, I’m sad to say.”

“Will you tell her now?”

“Now that she’s calm, I might just do that in the morning.”

“Good, before someone else tells her?”

“Yes, Dave?”

“Look, ladies, your family tiffs have spilled over and now some very senior people will be looking closely at you. Tammy, I suggest you lose yourself in the range in the morning and, Suzie, you have a session with Personnel Security.”

“Yes, Dave. Where will mum be?”

“Having a chat with a shrink, after an MRI, Suzie.”

“Okay.”

“So the pair of you will be busy.”

“Dave, when can I go back to work?”

“That, Suzie, depends of my report of our chat, and your chat with John Smith tomorrow?”

“Yes, Dave.”

“Suzie, could you leave Tammy and myself? I’ll remind you that you cannot repeat anything you heard in this room?”

“Yes, Dave.”

They waited for the door to close, Tammy thought she could hear Suzie sobbing again.

“You were pretty hard on her, Dave?”

“I’ve been harder on you.”

“True, but is it too late for Suzie?”

“She has a history of bad choices?”

“I know, and I got her job back for her.”

“You can’t do that again, Tammy, if it came to that.”

“I know. Did you have to mention the helicopters?”

“No, but if your mum suddenly asks about them then we’ll know where it came from?”

“I see. How much do you know?”

“I know the outline of your project and I’m allocated as your security consultant.”

“That’s news to me?”

“As you now own a site, you will need a second opinion who is cleared to know about the site and has resources available!”

“And the Security Service gets access?”

“It’s not like that, but if you want secure comms then it would be advisable to have the right channels open, if you forgive the pun.”

“I’d best stock up with apple tea then?”

“That’s a good idea, Tammy. Now, what courses are you on?”

“Conversion of my military license to civilian for single engine and then multi-engine, including night working. That’s three weeks starting next Monday.”

“You need to get the site surveyed? It’s not great that you’ll be away?”

“True, but I didn’t pick the timing, I had no idea what was going to happen this morning, or yesterday for that matter.”

“How much does your dad know?”

“Only that I asked about permits, absolutely nothing else.”

“He’s intelligent, he’ll realise something is up when you turn up piloting a Puma?”

“Sure, but that’s a while away, if it ever happens?”

“You need to write a report, two reports.”

“I don’t have my laptop here.”

“An A4 pad and pens have been put in your room. Please spend some time in here tomorrow drafting those reports after re-qualifying on the range.”

“Sure.”

“Had you considered building a range at the farm?”

“Er, no?”

“Think about it. You can provide a facility for a few agencies as the only choices are much further South?”

“I’ll think about it. I have other priorities. When can I go back?”

“Let’s see how tomorrow is? You may get a turn with Personnel Security?”

“Great, thanks Dave, as if I didn’t have enough on my plate right now!”

“I suggest you get a good night’s sleep.”

“Yes.”

Tammy walked out of the room but was intercepted by the housekeeper.

“Your range appointment is at nine o’clock and I’ve put swimsuits in your and Miss Small’s rooms. ”

“Thank you.”

Tammy was asleep almost as soon as she reached her bed.

Tammy knocked on Suzie’s door just after seven.

“What?”

“A swim before breakfast! Like the last time we were both here?”

“Oh, yeah, hmmm, gimme five.”

Tammy found one lady already in the pool but didn’t recognise her; a few minutes later Tammy was on her own briefly before Suzie arrived. The pair swam lengths, although Tammy wasn’t keeping count and Suzie looked like she was just going through the motions.

Tammy had kept an eye on the large clock and at half seven was out of the water towelling herself.

“I’ll see you for breakfast just after eight.”

Tammy had the option of a skirt and a simple top today, plus a pair of sandals. Given that it was mid June this really was the start of summer in the South of England, whereas it was still a chilly spring in the Highlands.

Tammy blow dried her hair as much as she could before phoning Maisie to say she was still at the house and had no idea when she would leave. It was still well gone eight when she made it to the dining room for breakfast. Suzie and Dave were there.

“No mum?”

“No”, answered Dave Brown, “She had some medical tests today so won’t be allowed breakfast until they are done.”

“Okay, ta.”

“Your father is leaving mid morning and should be here this afternoon.”

Tammy’s breakfast arrived so she busied herself with that. As she was ready to leave the room the housekeeper arrived.

“Miss Small, you are needed in the library, Miss Smart the nurse would like to see you.”

The nurse was at the far end of the long lawn at the rear of the house in the new medical centre.

Tammy immediately wished she hadn’t had a full breakfast and had, perhaps, kept to her diet plan. It was too late to change anything, but at least she didn’t need to use the running machine for a VO2 test.

“I’d like you back here at eight tomorrow on an empty stomach for blood tests and we’ll check your oxygen.”

Tammy had already guessed that she wouldn’t get home before Thursday.

The nurse was now looking at a PC screen.

“Have you ever had a smear test?”

Tammy hadn’t expected that question.

“Err, no.”

“Fine, I can do one now?”

“I don’t have a cervix, I don’t have a womb.”

“Oh, I’m sorry dear, your medical records didn’t include anything like that. Are you on any medication?”

“HRT.”

“Of course. I’ll update your records, who issues the prescription?”

“My GP, Dr Adelaide Sutherland in Thurso.”

“Ah, yes, found it. I’ve copied the prescription over so we can issue here if you needed any, did you bring a pack with you?”

“No, because I hadn’t expected to travel here yesterday. I thought I would be back at home.”

She printed a slip. “Take this to the pharmacy just along the corridor, they’ll issue a 28 day supply. When you leave, hand the remainder to the housekeeper and we’ll keep the medication for any further unexpected stays.”

“Thank you.”

“Eight in the morning please, Miss Smart.”

“Yes, nurse.”

Tammy barely had time to freshen herself, and swallow her daily pill, before she was due on the range.

“Captain Smart, congratulations on the promotion. It’s only three months since you last tested here but I’d like to take the opportunity to test you whilst you’re here. Sgt Staines tested with you in March, is she here today?”

“No, Sir, she’s in Scotland today.

“Nevertheless …. you didn’t lodge a weapon with me yesterday?”

“I wasn’t armed when I arrived.”

“Never mind, I have a Glock here which I believe we relieved from yourself a year or more ago?”

“You could be correct, do I get a few minutes to get the feel before we test?”

“Of course.”

Tammy pulled ear defenders on then picked up the weapon on offer, noting the scuffs that confirmed this was a weapon she had used possibly two years earlier. She got herself into a comfortable position and bored a hole in the bullseye of the target.

Tammy ejected the spent clip and loaded a fresh one as the range officer changed targets.

“When you’re ready.”

Tammy took her pass slip to her room then collected the writing pad and pen, before heading down to the study. She found Dave Brown in there.

“Suzie has gone to see the nurse.”

“Okay, I guess she’s been writing her report as well?”

“Yes, John Smith is running a little late so I thought we could save some time and get her memories down. She isn’t used to writing reports like this?”

“She’s an analyst so any reports are based upon links between raw data – why as I telling you this? You ran her department!”

“No, I ran the predecessor of her department, and that unit no longer exists due to a security failure after my time.”

“Anyway, I’m not certain she’s had to account for her actions since that fake boyfriend incident?”

“After which she lost her job, Tammy.”

“Yeah. So did you get something usable?”

“I did. I’m not expecting to have to help you, you have plenty of practice at this.”

“Unfortunately, Dave, yes.”

“You have until lunchtime.”

“Okay, can you answer me this? The nurse expects to see me tomorrow morning for a fasting blood test, how long will I be expected to be here?”

“You could leave at any time, but the enquiry wouldn’t be complete.”

“What enquiry?”

“Tammy, is it obvious that you think you know what happens in your corner of Scotland, and what happens within the Smart family – I’ll include Suzie there – but every time a UK agency realises that you, or Suzie, are part of a bigger unit they all try to dig. If you are their target then they learn very little.

“What was needed was a comprehensive look at your whole family, especially if any of them are going to be involved at Vernon farm?”

“Oh, so mother’s incident was just a useful excuse?”

“It was convenient, and there are genuine concerns, but we are all having a time out, without any ongoing operations, where we can build and intel package for the Smart family. That will be valuable in the future.”

“Angela?”

“Yes. You’ll need help with post natal care?”

“Maisie will need help, especially if she’s going back to work sooner than usual. Angela has plenty of experience with babies and infants so I had thought about her if she was available, but I would rather have thought someone else with a full nursing qualification would be needed at the site?”

“For cuts & bruises? Angela is more than qualified to do that.”

“Keep it in the family?”

“Yes, Tammy, the farmhouse is distinct from the secure area so that is a family area.”

“You’re bringing Angela here, Dave?”

“Yes.”

“Oh. Will I have to clear everyone who works for me?”

“Yes, unless they’ve been cleared recently elsewhere. Clearing family members for the farmhouse, primarily, will be easier after this week.”

“Who came up with this plan?”

“Me, who else? But ultimately it should also allow Suzie to settle some of those question marks over her own sense of security.”

“And mum?”

“Who knows?”