by Kate Bulpitt
‘Go on.’
‘Well, I…’
‘You obviously disagree with it or you wouldn’t be here. You know how I feel about it, why I created it, even if you’ve not read or heard anything else – which, from what I’m told about you, I think unlikely. So I’ve made my case, I’d like to hear yours.’
‘I don’t need to make a case though, do I? We can prove how the Turning is happening, which will ruin the effectiveness of the scheme.’
‘Oh, yes – we,’ said Theo. ‘You, and Magnus Jones, and Humane, and – was Annie involved?’
‘No,’ said Eve, cautiously. ‘But I told her what I knew, afterwards.’
‘Maximum exposure for the story?’
‘No,’ said Eve, taken aback. ‘Advice.’
‘But this is about furthering your career? Graduating from what you do…’
Eve braced herself for another dig about cats and toasters.
‘… To something bigger.’
Eve waited. No mention of felines or frivolousness.
‘It’s not about that,’ she said.
‘No?’
‘Well…’ She was about to acknowledge that there was an element of truth to it – but why make any kind of confession to Theo Fletcher?
‘If you’re going to try to curtail this scheme,’ he said, ‘I’d like to know why. I think you can be gracious enough to do that. You know why I’m so passionate that it exists. Let’s hear why you are not.’
What kind of trap could this be? Surely she had the upper hand – with the evidence they had, and now a Purple prime minister?
‘I was curious, at first. It was one of those stories that just grabs you and you want to know it all. What, where, why – how. It was incredible, and I wanted to be in on it. It seemed–’ surely she wasn’t going to admit this, and to Theo Fletcher of all people? – ‘it seemed made for me. Here was a story – a proper story – but it was loony as well. I don’t know – it sounds ridiculous, but it felt like a gift. A challenge. I had to be part of it.’
‘So you came back here.’
Eve nodded. ‘And then Duncan…’
‘Your Turned friend.’
‘Yes. When he was Turned, I wanted to help him, get him Re-Turned.’
‘But?’
‘But what?’
‘You haven’t said anything to me about how despicable the scheme is, or unjust, or against people’s human rights.’
‘I suppose that goes without saying.’
‘Does it?’
‘I’m here to finalise our deal.’
‘What if we agree to Re-Turn Duncan, and we delay halting the scheme?’
‘I can’t do that.’
‘Why? Because that’s what Humane wants? What about what the British people want?’
‘Why are you trying to save the scheme when you have been Turned? That’s insanity.’
‘No, it’s not. It proves the initiative works.’
‘This is—’ Eve searched through her repertoire of words – bonkers, bananas, demented, delirious – before giving up.
‘How does it prove it?’ she asked.
‘As I’ve already said, I can’t tell you that.’
‘Oh, come on. You asked me to be honest and I have been. I believe, Prime Minister, you can do the same.’
‘It was a mistake.’
‘So the scheme is not so infallible after all?’
‘Oh, I made a mistake, it wasn’t incorrect that I be Turned. The circumstances were unfortunate, but what I did wasn’t right.’
‘Go on.’
Theo Fletcher shook his Purple head.
‘It’s not going to be any worse than my knowing you’re Purple, is it?’ Eve asked. ‘Or maybe it is.’
Theo conceded defeat.
‘I went to the shop to buy a packet of cigarettes—’
‘You smoke?’
‘Yes.’
Eve tutted. ‘Honestly, you boys. It’s so bad for you. And anyway, don’t you have elves to do that for you? Are you allowed out on your own?’
‘Even I need some normality, a few minutes to myself, you know. When I can, I like to walk my dog and get some meditative time outside. And there’s always a security officer right behind. Besides, I like to be out and interact with people, though it may surprise you to hear that. I am in this job to serve people, to listen to them, despite what some people may think.’
‘You were saying.’
‘I was leaving the shop. A young man saw me. He came up, started shouting, “Who do you think you are?” and swearing, threatening me. He was leaning right up to my face – so I punched him.’
‘You punched him?’
‘Yes. Not a wise choice, admittedly. It was the oddest thing. I’ve never hit anyone – or felt the compunction to hit anyone – in my life, but… it just happened.’ Apparently without thinking, Theo had been moving his arm in a gentle re-enactment of this, and he now gazed down at his Purple fist, surprised, as though it had swung into action entirely of its own accord. He frowned. ‘Just after it had happened, out of the corner of my eye I saw a woman with a dog turn the corner, and I did wonder…’
‘Would she have seen who you were?’
‘Well, unlike the young man, she was a little way away, and behind me, and it was dark, and I was wearing a hat, so – it’s unlikely.’
‘What happened to her?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, what if she realises it was you? She’ll have the footage, won’t she?’
‘We already have the footage.’
‘And the woman?’
‘She’s being questioned, routinely. But as no one will ever see me Purple, she won’t have any reason to believe it could have been me.’
‘How long until the antidote kicks in?’
Theo looked at his watch. ‘I’m not sure. It can take up to twenty-four hours.’
‘That’s unfortunate,’ said Eve. ‘And risky, for you. You’re here, somewhere in the building, are you?’
‘Possibly.’
‘So, back to what happened. A guy is attacking you for Turning people—’
‘You’re assuming it was about the Purple Scheme. We don’t know for sure what he was disgruntled about.’
‘But it’s most likely about that, isn’t it? Who do you think you are, playing God? You’ve been Turned for attacking someone who’s attacking the Purpleness.’
‘Apparently so.’
‘Remarkable,’ said Eve.
‘But look at it this way: I behaved badly, and I was punished accordingly.’
‘Except that you’re just waiting for the antidote to take effect. But when you look at yourself right now, does it feel wrong?’
‘Nothing could dissuade me from believing in this. I want people to behave decently and respectfully, and this works. The statistics prove it.’
‘I don’t have much faith in statistics. Slippery things. Adjusted to suit whatever it is they’re selling.’
‘So you really want to interrupt the scheme?’
‘That’s why I’m here, isn’t it? As you know, I have the full set of facts regarding how people are being Turned. The release of this information to the general public will make the scheme unsustainable, and make Turning agents, or anyone who looks as though they could be an agent, vulnerable.’
‘You would want to do that to them, would you? You would be willing, through your actions, to put them in danger? People like your friend, Womble.’
‘The public has a right to know how this is happening. And once they do, there won’t be any point putting any agents in danger. The scheme will be unworkable. As you know, we request that the Purple Initiative be suspended, and that, as stated in the documents you’ve seen, discussions are held to find fairer options for crime prevention.’
‘I haven’t agreed to that.’
‘Yes, you have. That’s why I’m here. You don’t have a choice.’
‘What if I can convince you otherwise?’
‘I
t’s not just me! And anyway, why are you trying to negotiate with me, when you’re Purple? That’s just more ammunition for our camp.’
‘In a matter of hours I’ll be back to normal. No one would believe you.’
‘I think you’ll find that they will.’
Eve held up a tiny plastic device which had been clipped to a bangle on her wrist. Rory’s undercover camera.
Theo’s response was composed; a picture which in her head, Eve titled ‘Chess match: an elegant defeat’.
There was a knock at the door.
‘Eve?’ It was Ms Aziz. ‘Are you in there?’
‘Yes! I’m almost done,’ Eve called back. To Theo she said, ‘So, do we have a deal?’
‘For now.’
‘You’re hardly going to be able to renegotiate later.’
‘Today’s hardly the best day for me to be making important decisions, given my rather impaired condition.’
‘Nice try. Are you going to sign the agreement, right now?’
‘Are you going to hand over that camera?’
‘When Humane have filed the fully executed copies of the agreement,’ said Eve, thinking that should give her time to make a copy of the gadget’s footage.
‘Very well,’ said Theo Fletcher. ‘I shall agree to a temporary suspension of the initiative, pending further discussions.’
‘Prime Minister,’ said Eve, ‘I think we have a deal.’
*
Eve stood on the pavement outside Number 10, taking in the normal, pink and brown tints of the police officers flanking the door. Soon everyone will be back to normal, she thought. Including Duncan.
‘I’m glad it went well,’ said Ms Aziz. ‘How was he?’
‘Not his usual self.’
‘Had we made him reconsider his stance, do you think?’
‘I don’t think anything could do that. He was still fighting for the cause.’
‘He must be devastated at the initiative being shot down,’ said Ms Aziz. ‘I almost feel sorry for him.’
‘Me too. But I don’t think he’s giving up on it quite yet.’
‘We’ll be awaiting official notification from the prime minister’s aides – an advance copy of the announcement that it’s being stopped,’ she said. ‘And we’ll be monitoring developments, to make sure the agreement is kept on track.’
Eve nodded. ‘Good.’
She had put the tiny camera into an envelope, which she handed to Ms Aziz.
‘Could you see that Magnus gets this? For him only. There are some instructions in there, too. When he’s done he’ll have an item to be sent with the final copies of the documents.’
‘Of course.’
They made their way through the Downing Street gates. As Ms Aziz walked towards the waiting car, she turned back and said, ‘Come in for a celebratory lunch one day this week. The rest of the staff would love to thank you.’
‘That’d be lovely, I’ll round up our gang,’ said Eve, with a wave.
She crossed to Womble’s car. He was watching her eagerly out the window, eyes wide in anticipation. Eve opened the door.
‘How’d it go?’
She stared ahead, brain whirring, the jackpot machine spinning, a blur of bells, plums and cherries.
‘You wouldn’t believe it.’
‘Try me,’ said Womble.
‘Just when you’d think this whole scenario couldn’t get any madder.’
Womble pulled out into the traffic. ‘Well?’
‘Honestly, if I told you, I really would have to kill you.’
‘You can’t possibly say that and not tell me.’
‘I can’t tell you. You’d never be able to tell another living soul.’
‘Tell me.’
‘Do you promise? Never a word?’
Womble nodded.
‘He was, you know—’
‘What?’
‘Purple.’
‘No!’ Womble looked both horrified and crestfallen. ‘So that really is it then?’
‘I think so,’ said Eve. ‘And I would kill for a cup of tea.’
*
In an unexpected u-turn, the government has announced a suspension of the crime-busting Purple Initiative, citing medical concerns regarding the colourant used. All of those Turned will be treated with an antidote. Those Turned for minor offences will be pardoned; for more serious crimes, offenders will be taken into custody and sentenced in accordance with traditional legal procedure. Many supporters of the scheme are upset at its interruption, but human rights campaigners are claiming the development as a victory for justice. It is not yet known whether the scheme will recommence at a later date. The prime minister is said to be ‘extremely disappointed’ at having to call a halt to the scheme. And the American president was quoted as saying, ‘We were sorry to hear about the current discontinuation, as we were about to start trialling a Purple Program of our own.’
*
After Duncan had been injected with the antidote, they’d returned to his house, and sat beside one another on the sofa, Eve turned towards him, legs curled under her, watching his profile, awaiting the happy draining of damson from his face, his neck, his hands, and all else that was tinted, out of sight.
‘It’s like Christmas,’ she said, addressing his cheek.
‘Oh yes, excitement, anticipation, can’t sleep for thinking about presents to be unwrapped.’
Unwrapped. Eve looked at Duncan’s shirt, thought of the molecules changing colour beneath it, soon to be seen.
Duncan’s mouth twitched, suppressing a smile.
‘Anything?’ he said.
Of course, he knew there wouldn’t be, but there could be, any minute.
‘Um…’ Eve leant close to him, gazing at his skin, at the mauve-ness which they’d beaten, which was about to make a defeated retreat. Indigo-a-go-go. She stared at the stubble around his chin, half expecting to see it grow, as they waited.
‘No change,’ she said. ‘Too soon. I’d put the kettle on, but I don’t want to miss anything.’
Duncan laughed. ‘They did say up to twenty-four hours for complete recovery. We could well be sitting like this ’til tomorrow.’
‘Suits me.’
Eve rested her head back against the sofa.
‘Thank you for going above and beyond the call of duty.’
‘Mm,’ she mumbled, puffing her cheeks out. ‘I was just, you know, being daft and curious.’
‘I see. Well, thank you.’ He squeezed her hand.
‘Welcome.’
‘Imagine what could have—’
‘Don’t,’ said Eve.
They were both quiet. Then Eve manoeuvred herself so she was on his lap, her face leaning towards his. She placed a hand on his cheek, gazed intently at him.
‘You do know,’ she said, ‘how brave and amazing you are? And so kind and loyal that even Simon dotes on you. That would be true whether you’d stayed Purple or not.’
Duncan didn’t make a sound. Not even when Eve ran her fingertips gently down his still-tinted arm, or kissed him. His eyes were locked onto hers, and he put his arms around her waist. Limbs entwined, pink and purple, for now.
The discoloration had been so gradual they could hardly be sure it was happening. The purple became paler and paler, parts of Duncan’s body changing so subtly that it seemed certain swathes of skin were just affected by the light. By now he was shirtless, and Eve put her hands on his chest, a colour comparison. She gazed at the lilac-less vision before her.
’Look at you,’ she said, ‘all peachy.’
Duncan beamed. He looked down at his arms, his chest, peered over his shoulders at his back, and, with an elated laugh, pulled forward the waistband of his jeans to check everything covered was back to normal too. Then he held out his hands again, slowly absorbing the lack of lavender in them (and his future). He gave a joyful yelp.
‘I’m me again,’ he said.
‘So it seems,’ Eve managed to say, before he kissed her.
*
Annie backed into the room holding a pair of mugs in one hand, and a bottle in the other.
‘Would you believe there wasn’t a glass to be found,’ she said, ‘so I’m afraid it’s champagne out of these, rather incongruously.’
‘I think that’s quite fitting,’ said Eve, ‘given how unconventional this whole experience has been.’
Annie popped the cork, and Eve held the glasses as she poured.
‘To you, Eve. The gal who got the scoop,’ Annie toasted, holding up her mug. Printed across it in a faux computer font were the words ‘Tinter Electricals – For All Your Outside Broadcast Needs’.
‘Thank you, and cheers.’ Eve raised her cup, featuring an illustration of a Collie who was the mascot on a children’s magazine show, and his name, Pepper, printed in big red letters. She leant against Annie’s desk. ‘It all seems too incredible.’
‘Doesn’t it just. How are you celebrating?’
‘Oh, you know. Drinks at The Fox with the gang. And my mum’s doing a tea at the weekend, which is… weird.’ Eve looked into her mug, watched the frothing bubbles. Only half jokingly, she said, ‘Family stuff. Well, it makes me want to run back to New York.’
‘While you’re considering what might come next,’ said Annie, ‘I’ve lined up a couple of meetings for you, if you’re interested. One with a producer here, who I think might be able to find something for you…’
Eve was agog, and coughed in surprise at that and some champagne bubbles going down the wrong way.
‘And Elaine Collins at The Tribune said to give her a call. Plus, I picked up some details for a trainee broadcast scheme that I thought might intrigue you. That’s for on camera.’
‘Crikey,’ said Eve. ‘I don’t know what to say.’
There was a knock at the door and one of Annie’s production team appeared.
‘Hiya. Can you be ready for your pre-record with the PM in fifteen?’
‘Absolutely,’ Annie replied. ‘Thanks.’
‘His first interview since the Purple-ending announcement.’
‘Yes. He said you told him I advised you not to release the video until you’d approached the government to try and negotiate a deal,’ said Annie.
‘I did say that. I think he was relieved.’ Eve gulped her champagne. ‘I should go and leave you to get ready. Also,’ she took a look at her watch, ‘Adio and I are due to be mulling over some jolly options later, so I should get back before he calls.’