The Reluctant Spy

By Angelo Mifsud

Ruth Westcott, an Archaeologist, searches for the scrolls and manuscripts that were saved in the destruction of the library of Alexandria. She believes many manuscripts were saved and hidden and protected by a special community. When the Archaeologist discovers a secret project by Russian Archaeologists and Scientists. It sparks an interest of t

• Language: English
• Publisher: Potted Tree Books
• Release date: Jun 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9780994453846

Angelo Mifsud

Angelo Mifsud (1946) Maltese born immigrated to Australia at the age of four. He grew up in the inner suburbs of Sydney Australia and after a working career in private enterprise, Australian military, the Australian public service, and as a consultant. He retired to write full time. He has published works in non-fiction and fiction. Mystery/suspense novels with stories based on history focusing on everyday lives. Index reference for two international Bonsai Magazines.

Book preview

Chapter 1

‘Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way… Mummy, daddy no one is singing jingle bells with me?’

‘All right, Ruthy, all right. Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle…’ Edward Westcott replied.

‘Ted don’t take up singing as a profession. We’ll be poorer than we are now,’ Emilia Westcott said, laughing at her husband.

It was the night before Christmas, 1938. It was coming on to sunset as the Westcott family returned to their farm near Castlemaine after visiting Emilia’s eighty-year-old mother who lived alone in Maldon. A dry and hot evening in the Australian summer.

‘Mummy, daddy, you’re not singing,’ Ruth cried.

‘All right, Ruth, but wait till we get home. Daddy is driving, and the road is rough,’ Emilia said as the four-door tourer sped along the corrugated road.

‘But mummy I want to sing jingle bells, mummy.’

‘Ruth! We’re almost home, so hush or Father Christmas won’t come tomorrow.’

Edward and Emilia looked forward to sharing Christmas with their six-year-old tomorrow morning.

‘Ted. You better slow down… That truck on your right is coming fast and I don’t think he’ll stop,’ Emilia said.

‘You’re right! I don’t think he can see me over the tall grass and the sun’s glare. It’s Sandro, the greengrocer from Maldon,’ he replied.

Slamming on the brake, Ted felt the wheels lock, which sent the car skidding along the gravel road.

Sandro, tired after the long sweltering day, was hurrying home. The sun’s glare made it hard to see the road and even after shielding his eyes, he didn’t see the car on the left speeding towards the crossing. The car was skidding across his path before he slammed on the brakes, but it was too late.

The truck and car came together in the centre of the crossing. The sound of crumpling metal drowned Emilia’s screams. The truck slammed into the car between the engine and the driver’s door. It threw Ted from his seat into the screaming Emilia.

The collision sent the car spinning before it, and the truck came to a stop. Amelia’s screams fell silent, and amidst this silence bits of metal fell off both the car and truck.

Sandro went through the windscreen and lay on the truck’s bonnet. Ted and Emilia lay on the road while Ruth was nowhere in sight.

‘Flaming hell Scotty, what a mess! Check those people on the ground. I’ll see to the truck driver,’ Shouted Tony Bailey. He and Scotty Strachan rushed out from their trucks to the victims.

‘It’s the Westcott family Tony!’ Scotty shouted, bending over Emilia and then Edward, ‘They’re both dead. There is another car coming! I’ll flag it down!’ He shouted. He stopped the car.

‘What’s happened?’ Elspeth Fagan yelled. She dashed out of her MG. The sight made her sick, ‘Oh no! It’s Emilia! And Edward! Are they badly hurt?’ She asked and raced up to where Scotty stood looking down on the twisted bodies.

‘No Elspeth. They’re both dead.’

‘It’s Sandro Rizzo, the fruitier. He’s dead too,’ shouted Tony from the Sandro’s mangled truck.

‘Elspeth, we’ll stay here. You go and get the cops and…’

‘Where’s Ruth?’ Elspeth interrupted, ‘She was with them getting in the car at Emilia’s mother’s house in Maldon this afternoon. Is she still in the car?’ Elspeth ran to the Westcott’s car. Tony and Scotty ran after her.

‘She’s not here? Scotty yelled, looking inside the car, ‘Are you sure Ruth was with them…’

‘Of course, I’m sure. I saw them in the car in Maldon waving goodbye to Mabel.’

‘Elspeth. Tony and I will search around while you fetch the police. She must be somewhere here. And get an ambulance too!’ Scotty shouted. Elspeth rushed to her car and sped off towards Castlemaine.

Scotty and Tony began searching along the verges. Scotty on one side of the road and Tony on the other. ‘Cripes! Lucky there wasn’t a fire. The council needs a kick up the backside letting the grass grow so long. They’re a bunch of slackers!’ Scotty said, as he searched in the long dry grass.

‘Scotty, quiet! … I heard a whimper,’ Tony said. He pushed the tall grass away carefully, his heart thumping madly. ‘I found her! She’s here… she’s alive! Scotty fetch the water quick. Hurry. She doesn’t look good,’ Tony shouted, kneeling over the little girl.

‘Tony, where are you?’ Scotty shouted, grabbing his water bottle out his car and running on the road.

‘I’m here, near the power pole. Hurry will you, she’s hurt and unconscious,’ Tony shouted. He raised his arm in the air so Scotty could see him.

‘Here, here’s the water. What do you want me to do? Will she live?’ Scotty said.

‘I dunno. She has scratches all over her. And a broken arm, I reckon. We must give her shade and keep her out of the sun. Keep her cool. I just hope the ambulance gets here soon,’ he said, running to his car to get a tarpaulin.

They held the tarpaulin over Ruth, protecting her from the heat of the late afternoon sun.

‘They’re coming. I can hear the sirens and about bloody time too.’ Scotty said. The sirens blared and stopped when the police arrived. They were first, and the ambulance and Elspeth not far behind them.

‘I remember Ruth had a rag doll. Scotty, Tony, see if you can find it. It will comfort her,’ Elspeth said.

Elspeth, a retired nurse, helped the ambulance officers care and carry the little girl into the ambulance. The police, Scotty, and Tony searched in the wreckage of the car for the rag doll.

‘I found it! Needs a clean and she’ll be right,’ a well-built Constable said, holding up the six-year-old’s rag doll. He handed it to the ambulance officers as they cared for Ruth, who was bleeding around the head and arms. They put her into the ambulance. Once Ruth was inside, they sped off to Castlemaine hospital.

The accident shocked the townspeople, and they all rallied around Ruth. The Westcott’s were a much respected family. Emilia was president and an important member of the Castlemaine Country Women’s Association. To the townspeople, Ruth’s survival after such a horrific accident brought a new meaning to Christmas.

‘Hello Ruth. How are you feeling this morning?’ Doctor Melanie Pearson asked, ‘Hello Mabel. I’m so sorry for your loss. Are you okay?’

‘Yes, I’m okay, but will Ruth be all right?’ Mabel Atwood asked, sitting beside her granddaughter’s bed, ‘I haven’t told her and said nothing of what happened. I don’t know how to tell her,’ Mabel said. She hadn’t time to grieve over her daughter and her husband. She was worried of Ruth’s mental health, and this was her primary concern. When should they tell the girl her mum and dad were dead? Mabel held Ruth’s hand. It was her way of coping with the trauma and loss.

‘We’ll deal with that later, Mabel. First, we’ll get Ruth well,’ Pearson whispered, ‘Merry Christmas Ruth,’ she said, handing Ruth a beautiful doll.

‘Thank you,’ Ruth said, cuddling it into her chest.

‘Sorry, my darling, but you must stay here for a while. It’s not much of a Christmas, is it?’

‘Thank you Doctor. That is most thoughtful of you,’ Mabel said, teary, as she stroked her granddaughter’s face.

‘It’s from the Castlemaine’s townspeople. A Christmas present for Ruth, Mabel. They’re collecting money for her.’

‘Nanny. Where’s mummy and daddy? I want my mummy,’ Ruth cried, trying to sit up in the bed.

‘No Ruth dear, you must stay still. Nurse! Help me here please,’ Pearson called. They restrained and calmed the little girl amid her shouts and tears. They let her settle, and soon Ruth fell asleep.

Ruth had many visitors over the Christmas week. But no one mentioned her parents. Mabel visited Ruth every day, but today Dudley Raynsford, the owner of the dairy farm next to the Westcott’s farm, came with her.

‘Nanny, I want my mummy. Where’s mummy?’ Ruth cried. She became agitated and Mabel looked to Dudley for help.

‘Ruth dear, remember when you, mummy, and daddy came to visit me the afternoon father Christmas was coming. Do you remember?’

‘Yes nanny, we sang jingle bells on the way home… Where’s my mummy?’ Ruth cried. Mabel burst into tears.

Dudley sat beside Ruth’s bed and took her hands and held them softly.

‘Shush Ruthy, shush… Remember the day when you came off your pony?’

‘Yes, Uncle Dudley. Poor Piccolo, he fell and broke his leg, and now he is in heaven. Mister Rizzo helped daddy take Piccolo away,’ she replied.

‘What did your daddy say when you cried and cried for Piccolo? He told you to be strong, didn’t he? Because God called Piccolo to help Him in heaven. Sometimes God calls us to heaven because He needs us to help him. You understand, don’t you, Ruthy? Dudley asked.

‘Ruthy, your mummy and daddy loved you very much,’ Mabel interrupted. ‘God called them and Mister Rizzo to go to Him. I’m sorry my darling, but mummy and daddy have gone to heaven,’ she said. She wiped her eyes so Ruth wouldn’t see the tears.

‘Why? Why did God take my mummy and daddy?’ Ruth asked. They saw the girl’s look of despair and loneliness.

Mabel and Dudley wrapped their arms around her until she stopped crying. Both the little girl and her grandmother appeared to come to terms with their loss. Dudley watched as the two were in a loving embrace. He had done all he could. They will deal with their tragedy in their own way.

Once Ruth was asleep, Dudley helped Mabel to the waiting room. They met with Doctor Pearson.

‘Doctor, we told Ruth her parents have gone to heaven. We thought it better for her to sleep and settle without people fussing over her.’

‘I wish you had warned me before you told her. I should have been there with you. I’ll go and check on her,’ she replied. Ruth was fast asleep. So, all’s well for now.

‘Ruth, you’re looking better today. How are you feeling? We will bury your mum and dad today. Understand what I’m saying?’ Mabel asked. ‘If you want to, we can take you outside and you can say goodbye as they pass. Do you want to wave to them?’

‘Yes. Can I see them?’ Ruth asked.

‘No, my dear. Just remember them laughing, playing, and hugging you. They loved you very much, so never forget them no matter what happens or where you are,’ Mabel replied. Deep in her heart, Mabel knew it will be difficult for her to care for her granddaughter. But Edward’s brother, Timothy, and his wife Julia, want to take Ruth to England to live with them. They promised to look after her as their own. Mabel agreed. She hugged her granddaughter tight, knowing she will never see the little girl grow up. She shed another tear.

The funeral procession carrying Ted and Amelia’s coffins filed past the hospital. Ruth stood and waved at her mother’s and father’s hearse. It was then she remembered her father telling her to be brave and strong. But it didn’t stop her tears, or anyone else’s.

Mabel struggled to care for her granddaughter, staying at Mabel’s home in Maldon. ‘Ruth, your father’s brother, your Uncle Timothy, who lives in England is coming to Australia. He and your Aunt Julia want to take you to England to stay with them. Would you like to live in England?’ Mabel asked. Timothy and Julia will give the girl a good home and education in England. There she will have a splendid and loving life.

‘Daddy told me stories about England. He said that one day I will go and visit. Am I going on a holiday?’

‘Yes Ruth, a holiday and as much I want you to stay here with me but I’m too old to take proper care of you. So, if you want to, you can go to England with your Uncle Timothy and Aunt Julia on a ship. Would you like that?’

‘Mum said you had a hard life and needed to rest. But where will I go afterwards? Where will I stay?’ Ruth replied, remembering the many times her mother threatened to send her to a children’s home for being naughty.

‘Nanny, I don’t want to go to the children’s home.’

‘You won’t go to the children’s home, my dear. Your Uncle Timothy will take you to live in England,’ she said, ‘Your father’s dairy farm is yours and when you grow up, you can come back. Mister Raynsford will mind the farm for you.’

Chapter 2

The coffin carried by four men came out of the Buckingham Place house. Neighbours gathered around, many cried, and others looked on mournfully at losing a friend. Eight-year-old Laura Rice held her father’s hand as her mother’s coffin glided into the hearse.

‘Why did mummy die?’ Laura asked her father.

‘A German bomb fell near mummy and killed her,’ Arthur Rice replied. What else could he say but the truth. Arthur and Laura joined Arthur’s sister and her husband in the Austin and followed the hearse to the cemetery. In 1941 people buried their dead every day. They ignored the risk of the Luftwaffe bombing London.

After returning from the cemetery, Arthur took Laura to her room.

‘Laura, Uncle Geoffrey is re-joining his regiment and I must return to duty in Buckinghamshire so I will go with him. I do not know when I’ll be back,’ he said hugging her, ‘I can’t care for you. So, I have organised for the nuns to take care of you in the convent. They will look after you and keep you safe. Do what you’re told, be brave, and behave. No climbing trees and putting insects and frogs in people’s beds. Promise you will behave?’

‘I will father,’ Laura replied, ‘Will you come and visit?’ She asked. He wiped away her tears.

‘I don’t know, I will try. Remember I love you,’ he said, kissing her forehead. He looked out of the upstairs window and grabbed their suitcase and led Laura out to a waiting nun outside the house.

‘Sister, here is my daughter Laura. She is in your care now,’ he said. ‘Laura, do as the Sisters tell you and when the war is over, I will come for you.’

He kissed her. They hugged. He passed her into the nun’s care. The sister helped Laura on the bus where she joined other children.

‘Professor Rice, Laura will be safe with us so do not worry. God protect you in these terrible times,’ she said, shaking his hand and then joined Laura on the bus.

Arthur watched them drive away, then he picked up his bag and walked to the railway station to meet up with his friend and his work in Buckinghamshire.

‘Daddy! Daddy!’ Laura shouted, running out of the convent. She ran as fast as she could, as the two nuns raced after her. Arthur smiled as his daughter, now twelve years old, ran and leaped into his open arms.

‘Laura, how you have grown. How are you?’ he said. She was not quite as tall as him now and he didn’t need to bend down to hug and kiss her. It seemed like yesterday when he handed his little girl to the nun for safe keeping.

‘Oh daddy, I am well. I have been looking forward to seeing you again. How are you?’ Laura asked. He looked drawn and thin. The war had not been kind to him.

‘Welcome Professor Rice. Laura has been up since dawn waiting for you. As you can see she has grown to be a lovely young woman,’ the nun said, handing him Laura’s suitcase.

‘Thank you Sister. Thank you for keeping her safe and what you’ve done for Laura,’ he said taking the suitcase, ‘Are you ready Laura?’ he said, putting her case in the car.

‘Yes. I’m ready,’ she replied. She got teary as she hugged the nuns, ‘Goodbye sisters, I will miss you. Thank you so much for your kindness and support,’ she said. The nuns and Laura cried. They sniffed and snuffed as Laura took her father’s hand.

‘Goodbye Laura. Promise you will continue your studies in politics. I hope to see you as prime minister one day,’ the nun said.

‘What’s this? Studying politics? Your mum would be proud.’

‘Yes Professor, Laura has shown an aptitude for debating and politics. We believe she could be our first female prime minister.’

‘Thank you Sisters, for all you’ve done for my daughter. Shall we go, Laura?’

He opened the car door of the borrowed car.

‘Yes. I enjoy debating. Goodbye Sisters and thank you,’ she said, joining her father in the car.

They drove to their Buckingham Place home.

‘They have posted me to Calder Hall. It is, in Windscale, an important job. So, we will rent this house while we are away. If you go to university, we can come back and live here. How does that sound?’ He said walking inside the home they had not seen for six years.

‘When are we going to Calder Hall?’

‘Tomorrow I am afraid. I have enrolled you in the middle school there. We have a government house. I will hire a housekeeper to take care of the house and us?’ He said laughing.

‘But dad, I can cook and clean. I did it in the convent, it’s not too hard,’ she replied.

‘That’s great. But we’ll see?’

Next morning saw a removal van come and take their furniture to Calder Hill. Arthur arranged a hire car to take him and Laura to Windscale with their belongings.

‘What will you do at Calder Hill, dad?’

‘Help build the United Kingdom’s first nuclear power plant. But it’s a secret so say nothing, and if anyone asks you what I am doing there, tell them you don’t know.’

‘I won’t tell anyone dad; I promise, but why?’

‘The government wants this kept quiet. The war has just finished and there are people who still wish to hurt us, so we won’t let them, will we?’

‘Is it a big school I’m going to? I hope they are nice?’

‘Calder High is a comprehensive school with about 500 boys and girls. I am told, the staff are wonderful, so I am sure you will fit in the school. But if you are unhappy you must tell me, and I will find you another school, a deal?’

‘Yes. Thanks dad. But I don’t want to be a burden,’ she replied.

‘You will never be a burden, Laura, never,’ he said. ‘Now, my work involves late nights and there may be days when I don’t come home. So, are you sure you do not want me to hire a housekeeper, at least to be company for you?’

‘No dad, I can manage,’ she replied.

‘All right, as you wish.’

They arrived before the removal van. They unpacked their belongings and waited. The van duly arrived, unloaded, and left.

‘Now I will report to my superior. I should be home in time for an early supper. In the kitchen cupboards you will find food I had brought in to give us a start. Goodbye and I’ll see you for supper,’ he said. Before he closed the door and left he turned. ‘Remember you have school tomorrow,’ he said, leaving the house. She has grown to be a very strong-willed and intelligent young woman.

Chapter 3

‘Dad! Dad. I passed, and they offered me a scholarship to Cambridge,’ Laura shouted, rushing into the house. ‘University starts in October. It gives me three months to get ready.’

‘Congratulations Laura, well done,’ he said hugging her tight, ‘Your mother would be so proud. Why did she volunteer to help those people during an air raid? You too could’ve died that day,’ he said.

‘I usually went with mum, but that day she asked me to baby-sit our neighbour’s children instead,’ she held his hands, ‘Why are you shaking? Are you cold?’

‘No. I am excited and proud of my little girl.’

‘I will move my things to our house in London next month. Is that all right?’

‘Yes. And I’m coming with you… I finished my work here at Calder.’

‘But the power plant isn’t working yet. I thought you had a contract to stay working there till 1957, after the plant opened. What happened?’ Laura asked. She sensed something troubling him.

‘They don’t need my advice anymore. They prefer to listen to the young scientists who apparently know more than me. Management, which were my friends, have made many changes to the plant’s design which I fear could lead to a disaster.’

‘So what will you do?’

‘There are new positions available in the revamped Ministry of Defence. I hope with my experience there’s a place for me there, but we will see what happens,’ he replied.

Laura and Arthur left Calder Hill and returned to their Buckingham Place house in September 1952. Laura enrolled at Cambridge, taking law, psychology and political science.

The years rolled by and in 1956, Laura, now twenty-four, graduated from University.

Laura arrived home after she spent the day of job interviews. On the kitchen table were the afternoon papers her father had left there.

‘See, I knew this would happen. They didn’t listen to me,’ he said. coming inside from the backyard. She looked at the bold headlines. A fire at the Windscale nuclear site. Just as her father had predicted. He folded the papers and threw them in the cupboard.

‘What happened at Windscale?’ Laura asked. She was already late preparing their supper.

‘A reactor’s temperature increased dangerously when they released its energy. But when they released the energy from the second Wigner, all the temperatures in the other reactors rose to a critical level, causing a fire. I suggested the safety procedures were too loose. I knew this would happen. They did not listen.’

‘When did this happen?’

‘Three days ago. They are lucky it isn’t worse,’ he replied. A knock at the front door.

‘Good evening. Is Professor Rice at home?’ A man asked.

‘Yes, I’m Professor Rice,’ Arthur replied looking at man quizzically. He did not recognise the man.

‘Detective Tom Grant, Professor. I have to ask you to come with me to Scotland Yard.’

‘Why? I haven’t broken any laws, are you arresting me?’ Arthur asked.

‘No Professor. You are not under arrest. But we need your help. It has to do with the current events at Windscale,’ Tom replied.

‘I left Windscale in 1952 long before they commissioned it, so I don’t know how I can help?’

‘We still need to talk to you.’

‘Very well. Just a moment. I’ll get my coat and tell my daughter where I’m going,’ Arthur replied. He went inside, leaving detective Grant waiting at the door.

‘Laura, they’ve asked me to go to Scotland Yard. They asked me to help with this fire at Windscale. I shouldn’t be long.’

‘Do you want me to come with you?’

‘No. You stay here. I don’t know why they’ve asked for my help, but if that’s what they want. I’ll take my papers and notes with me. Don’t wait up for me.’

The evening of the 12th of October 1957 was the last time Laura saw her father. That night she waited till late and went to bed, hoping he would be home for breakfast.

Next morning he had not come home. Late for her part-time work at a hotel a street away, she prayed he would be home when she came home tonight.

‘Dad! Dad! Dad, are you home?’ Laura shouted. She went upstairs and checked his room. But he was not there. She heard someone at the front door. ‘Dad? Is that you? Did you forget to take your key again?’

‘Afternoon Miss. Is this Professor Rice’s residence?’ The police Constable asked, touching his helmet.

‘Yes, but he is not here at the moment,’ she replied, ‘Can I help you?’

‘But he lives here?’

‘Yes. Why are you asking these questions? What do you want with him? He went with one of you to Scotland Yard last night and hasn’t come home.’

‘Please Miss. May I come in, it’s important,’ he replied.

‘Yes. Come in,’ she replied, closing the door behind him. She led him into the lounge room. What is he going to tell me? That my father has gone to fix the nuclear disaster?

‘Miss. I’m sorry, but I have painful news.’

‘Where is my father Constable?’

‘I’m afraid he is dead… Found hanged in the park near here. We are treating it as suicide. I’m very sorry,’ he said, helping her to the armchair.

‘Where is he? I want to see him!’ she replied, tears welled up in her eyes. ‘It must be a mistake. He had no reason to kill himself, no I don’t believe it!’

‘I’m sorry, Miss. But that is what I’m told. He was found in Christchurch gardens. We are waiting for the autopsy report. I am sorry to bring you this sad news,’ he said. He made his way to the front door, ‘The hospital will contact you when the body is available for release.’ He left her with her sorrow.

Laura buried her father in a private funeral amidst speculation he was a spy and a traitor. Standing over his grave, she vowed to find the truth.

‘Two pints of bitter thanks love,’ the well dress man said.

Laura poured the beers and placed them on the counter.

‘Did you hear they found Professor Rice hanging from a tree,’ he said loud enough that everyone could hear. The man sat with his friend.

‘So it’s true. He was a traitor. Otherwise he would have defended himself, you would think,’ the other man replied.

‘I don’t know. It’s all hush hush. No one will speak about what he supposedly did. The strange thing is, he hasn’t been near Windscale for five years. Apparently, it involves sabotage at the plant. A woman went and dobbed him in to the police. She said the Professor was drunk one night and boasted to her that he sabotaged the nuclear plant. I heard it was in revenge of his dismissal from the project. Scotland Yard questioned him. They let him go, and he committed suicide.’

‘Then it’s true!’ The other man said. They finished their beers and left.

Heartbroken at hearing the lies and the accusation against her father, Laura looked at the patrons who heard the conversation and many knew she was his daughter. Did he really commit suicide? And who was this woman? He never mentioned he was seeing a woman. When they lived in Calder. He never went anywhere other than work and home. He didn’t socialise. She must find this woman and make her pay for her lies. And where are his papers and notes from Calder?

Laura left the hotel early and on her way home after work took a detour. She went to the cemetery where her mother lay. But it wasn’t her mother’s grave she wanted, but another. Nina Pearce. She read the name on the girl’s tombstone. Nina died during a World War II German bombing raid, just like Laura’s mother. She had known the girl a short time when Nina was eight years old. Nina’s family lived four doors from her home in Buckingham Place.

Standing before the girl’s grave. She will become Nina Pearce. Nina, she remembered, had blonde hair. This meant she will have to peroxide her black hair. Then she will have to get a copy of Nina’s birth certificate.

After bleaching her hair, Laura went to the parish church and got a copy of Nina’s birth certificate. She checked if her parents were alive, but Nina’s parents had died at the end of the war. So no one will challenge the new Nina Pearce.

Laura while at Cambridge had helped with graduation ceremonies. She knew her way around the University administration office and still had friends there. She now had to build a degree for Nina and knew where the blank degree certificates were held for safe keeping. Over a period of weeks Laura visited the University administration building helping with filing and other administration tasks. There she recorded Nina’s details and built a history of Nina’s studies, which matched her own. With a record of exam results in the same classes as Laura, she built an extensive record of Nina’s academic history. She was ready, and obtaining a blank graduation certificate, added Nina’s name and academic achievements to the register. The most difficult task was to insert Nina’s name after her name. After she continued to visit the University’s administration office till satisfied no one found the abnormality or queried Nina’s Degree.

After weeks of working between the pub and planning her career as Nina Pearce. Laura applied for positions at the Ministry of Defence, Foreign Affairs and MI6, and Home Department and MI5 for a position. She knew it will take months to even have an interview. But, a month later, she received a letter from MI6. She was selected for an interview in a week’s time. So she spent the time studying and reading everything on MI6.

The day for the interview came. She sat for the test, answered the questions, and completed the forms. A month went by before she received a letter from MI6 that requested another interview.

‘Good morning, Miss Pearce,’ he said. He had her University grades in front of him when she walked into the office.

‘We’ve conducted a thorough check on your time at Cambridge. You didn’t socialise much in your time there, so why is that?’ He asked.

‘I could not afford the time and money to party like the others. I was focused on my studies,’ she said.

‘You graduated in politics and economics. You passed our psyche test, and we noted you have no living relatives? So it was difficult to find anyone who knew anything about you,’ he said. He closed her file and opened another.

‘I keep to myself. I don’t need people around me. Will that be a mark against me?,’ she