66 Pieter Lawrence He about her hospital. working,” she said, “It’s “but the demonstrations are a lot worse. There’s been fighting with the police. We’re now treating the casualties of our own dispute. That’s not what hospitals are for.” Blake shrugged. nothing I can do. We’ve got the “There’s same crowds outside the Department. I can’t use my own front door.” He switched on the television news and they listened as it reported on the build-up of demonstrations. It then came to an item on Hurst. the apparent disappearance of the “Following astronomer, Edward the Home Office this afternoon issued a statement. It said that he has been held for questioning in connection with an alleged offence against a government observation and listening station. As a result of further enquiries, he will be released tomorrow: According to the Home Office, the offence, at first thought to be serious, does not justify the further holding of Mr. Hurst who is described as an over-enthusiastic amateur whose activities have brought him in breach of the law.” Rachel picked up the newspaper. is the man who “This claims we’re being approached by a deadly comet,” she said. Blake took the paper and looked again at the photograph of Hurst with its accusing stare. he said, same “Yes,” “the person.” He switched off the television and replenished his drink. you know that item was being broadcast?” she “Did asked. He felt unable to lie. he said. “Ifes,”
66 Pieter Lawrence He about her hospital. “It’s working,” she said, “but the demonstrations are a lot worse. There’s been fighting with the police. We’re now treating the casualties of our own dispute. That’s not what hospitals are for.” Blake shrugged. “There’s nothing I can do. We’ve got the same crowds outside the Department. I can’t use my own front door.” He switched on the television news and they listened as it reported on the build-up of demonstrations. It then came to an item on Hurst. “Following the apparent disappearance of the astronomer, Edward the Home Office this afternoon issued a statement. It said that he has been held for questioning in connection with an alleged offence against a government observation and listening station. As a result of further enquiries, he will be released tomorrow: According to the Home Office, the offence, at first thought to be serious, does not justify the further holding of Mr. Hurst who is described as an over-enthusiastic amateur whose activities have brought him in breach of the law.” Rachel picked up the newspaper. “This is the man who claims we’re being approached by a deadly comet,” she said. Blake took the paper and looked again at the photograph of Hurst with its accusing stare. “Yes,” he said, “the same person.” He switched off the television and replenished his drink. “Did you know that item was being broadcast?” she asked. He felt unable to lie. “Ifes,” he said.
the-last-conflict-pieter-lawrence.docx