The Last Conflict 6? IO Blake returned to his office and began sifting through figures on national labour resources. His Department head had arranged them on a regional basis but Blake had not disclosed the reason for the work. He told Brightwell it was merely to bring a civil defence review up-to-date. As he worked on, he realised the enormity of the task that lay ahead and the difficulty of keeping it secret before the approaching dangers were announced. If plans for the construction of deep shelters were to make progress, secrecy would be impossible. Planning would require the skills of a wide range of specialist people who would all have to know the object of the plans. With the numbers involved, it was likely that some would make their own judgments on whether secrecy was in the public interest. A few would say and would speak out. Despite loyalty to the “no” government, Blake was increasingly embarrassed by his situation. Feeling a sense of guilt he was tempted to make his own public statement on the matter and knew that others would be much less reluctant to do so. working late he returned home to find Rachel slumped on a couch waiting for the news on television. He poured himself a drink and noticed a newspaper with the Hurst story at her feet. She asked him about his meeting with his local party and he explained the outcome. She was surprised at the plans to use voluntary workers. thought “I they were hostile to all that,” she said. well, they are,” he replied, how can you tell “^es, “but what motivates people? My resignation from the seat would have caused them difficulties. They didn’t want that. Whatever the reasons, I’m a bit more hopeful now.” don’t seem all that happy” she said. “You
The Last Conflict 6? IO Blake returned to his office and began sifting through figures on national labour resources. His Department head had arranged them on a regional basis but Blake had not disclosed the reason for the work. He told Brightwell it was merely to bring a civil defence review up-to-date. As he worked on, he realised the enormity of the task that lay ahead and the difficulty of keeping it secret before the approaching dangers were announced. If plans for the construction of deep shelters were to make progress, secrecy would be impossible. Planning would require the skills of a wide range of specialist people who would all have to know the object of the plans. With the numbers involved, it was likely that some would make their own judgments on whether secrecy was in the public interest. A few would say “no” and would speak out. Despite loyalty to the government, Blake was increasingly embarrassed by his situation. Feeling a sense of guilt he was tempted to make his own public statement on the matter and knew that others would be much less reluctant to do so. working late he returned home to find Rachel slumped on a couch waiting for the news on television. He poured himself a drink and noticed a newspaper with the Hurst story at her feet. She asked him about his meeting with his local party and he explained the outcome. She was surprised at the plans to use voluntary workers. “I thought they were hostile to all that,” she said. “^es, well, they are,” he replied, “but how can you tell what motivates people? My resignation from the seat would have caused them difficulties. They didn’t want that. Whatever the reasons, I’m a bit more hopeful now.” “You don’t seem all that happy” she said.
the-last-conflict-pieter-lawrence.docx