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father’s secret life – what it was like being in the SAS and working as
a bodyguard in hostile environments. He also needed to understand why his father had
devoted himself to such a job, one that took him away from his family for such long
periods. Connor realized he could never get his father back, but by following in his
footsteps he
might
come to know him better.
    Connor pressed the Call button.
    It rang once before being answered in that
familiar clipped tone.
    ‘Glad you’ve decided to join
us,’ said the colonel. ‘One of the team will collect you Monday at 0900
hours sharp. Be ready.’
    ‘But … I-I still haven’t agreed
to anything yet,’ Connor stuttered.
    He sensed a smile at the other end of the
line.
    ‘Connor, you wouldn’t be calling
unless
it was to say yes.’

The following Monday a blacked-out Range
Rover pulled up outside the house: 0900 hours sharp.
    Bags packed, Connor hugged his mum goodbye.
‘I’ll be back during the holidays,’ he promised.
    ‘Now, don’t you worry about
me,’ she said, kissing him tenderly on the cheek. ‘You go have a good time.
I’m so proud of you.’
    She squeezed his hand. To Connor, his mother
always seemed at her most energized and pain-free when she was concentrating on him.
    ‘And I’ll be here 24/7,’
reassured Sally, a jolly, middle-aged woman who was to be his mum’s live-in
carer.
    The morning after the phone call, Sally had
dropped by their house. Over a pot of tea, she’d explained the in-care arrangement
and that the costs were being covered by Connor’s ‘scholarship
programme’. His mum had immediately warmed to the idea, proud her son’s
talents were being recognized. By the second cup of tea, the three women were swapping
stories and laughing like old friends. Reassured by this, Connor knew his mother wasin good hands and that he’d made the right decision for
her.
    And it had the double benefit that his gran
would also be cared for in her own home. This news had initially pleased his gran. But,
not one to miss a trick, she had questioned him in private about the ‘scholarship
programme’. Despite Colonel Black’s warning, Connor had told her the truth –
as he always did with his gran. She’d immediately tried to dissuade him. But,
seeing the determination in his eyes, she’d resignedly shook her head and said,
‘You’re your father’s son. Always putting others before
yourself.’
    So it was agreed Buddyguard was to be their
secret and Connor had no doubt that she’d keep it. As he went to say goodbye, his
gran gripped him with surprising strength.
    ‘Stay safe,’ she whispered, and
for a moment he didn’t think she’d let him go.
    With a final hug for his mum, Connor picked
up his bags and strode over to the Range Rover. The driver got out, a slender woman with
dark brown shoulder-length hair and olive eyes that were good-natured yet watchful.
    Connor smiled in wry recognition.
‘You’re not going to arrest me again, are you?’
    The former policewoman laughed. ‘Only
if you don’t pay attention in class!’ She offered her hand. ‘I’m
Jody, one of your instructors. Now get in, we’ve a long drive ahead.’
    Tossing his bags in the boot, Connor
clambered into the passenger seat. With a last wave to his mum and gran, he heaved the
door shut and the Range Rover pulled away. Asthey drove out of
London, they passed the Tiger Martial Arts Dojo. Connor felt a twinge of regret and a
nagging doubt returned. The club was almost a second home to him. He’d just made
his mark as a national kickboxing champion.
Am I throwing it all away?
His
instructor hadn’t thought so. Although dismayed to lose his most promising
student, Dan had only wanted the best for him.
    ‘The time to strike is when the
opportunity presents itself,’ Dan had said, giving him a friendly tap on the chin
with his fist. ‘So good luck – and remember: if you get into trouble,
hit
first, hit hard, then hit the ground running
.’
    The Range