Free Lavender Hill by P. J. Garland Page A

by—”
    “What was the food like in Cambodia,” said Jeremy quickly, loudly and awkwardly to obscure the voice of Rebecca Hartley.
    Katie looked at the camera with a confused expression. “It was great, Jeremy – really nice...”
    “...we have received some important news today about the so called Pointers...”
    “So, uh... Katie, has there been any mention of the scientific interpretation of the Rapture?”
    Katie was obviously trying to listen to the speech and didn’t respond to Jeremy.
    Jeremy raised his voice. “Katie?”
    “Uh, no – could I just... Ms Hartley is saying something interesting about the Pointers.”
    “...some of the Pointers are in there now, and we should march down to Thames House and demand to know what information the government has about the Rapture...”
    Katie turned back to the camera. She raised her voice to be heard over the noise of the cheering crowd.
    “It would appear the government may have arrested some of the Pointers and are interviewing them now in MI5 headquarters, although this is an unconfirmed report.”
    “I can confirm this latest development is true,” said Jeremy hurriedly. He then turned to the camera and with glib confidence said, “Apparently, these interviews are simply a routine procedure and nothing to get excited about.”
    “Why are they—”
    “Don’t go away. We’ll be back soon,” Jeremy said to the camera.
    As a technician indicated they were off air, the smile on Jeremy’s face quickly disappeared and was replaced by a vicious scowl. He reached under the news desk and pulled out a hand towel, which he used to wipe sweat from his brow.
    “Somebody come and re-do my make up,” he shouted across the studio.
    Mary walked quickly across the studio floor. “Who told you about these arrests, and why haven’t you told us?”
    Jeremy looked at Mary with a fierce expression. “They haven’t been arrested. The Pointers are just helping the government with their investigation of the Rapture. And I wanted to be sure of my source before telling anyone... WHERE’S SOMEONE TO DO MY MAKE UP,” he bellowed while wiping sweat from his face.
    “The people are starting to march down to Thames House,” said Katie urgently.
    Jeremy looked up to the screen showing Katie. “Follow them and mingle in the crowd. Find people to interview, and challenge them, Ms Sturridge, to justify why they reject a more rational explanation for the Rapture. We don’t want to give the impression we are encouraging this religion-fuelled civil disobedience.”
    Katie laughed a little at his extreme position and in response Jeremy angrily said,
    “Is that acceptable to you, Ms Sturridge?”
    “Yes, of course – we’ll leave now.” Katie disappeared off screen while angrily removing her earphone.
    “How much time have we got left before we go back on air?” Jeremy asked Mary.
    “Under two minutes.”
    “I’m not ready. Go to the weather and then sport.”
    “Are you OK, Jeremy?” asked Mary suspiciously.
    “Yes,” replied Jeremy through gritted teeth while wiping sweat from his face. “WHERE IS SOMEONE TO DO MY MAKE UP,” he shouted across the studio.
    *
    Katie and two of her camera crew moved through the marching crowd. The protesters walked towards the River Thames along tree lined roads and past grand old buildings. The rally progressed through the streets of London peacefully, but the size and unity of the crowd caused onlookers to become quiet and watchful.
    Katie approached a young woman walking along with her two children.
    “Hi, I’m Katie Sturridge from 24/7 News. Could we talk to you about the rally you’re attending today?”
    “Yeah, sure,” replied the woman, smiling shyly.
    “Why have you come to this rally?”
    “Well, when I felt the Rapture I immediately knew it was something to do with God, but this aspect of the Rapture has been ignored or ridiculed by the media. So I wanted to come here and support what Rebecca Hartley is