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threw my rucksack over my shoulder and made my way down the central column of steps. Everyone was staring. I bet they were all wondering what criminal offense I’d committed. Was it certain beyond “reasonable doubt”? Would I be sent to jail? Could they follow my case? A murmuring hum of conversation began to build.
    “Miss Tipping,” the policeman said when I reached him. “Your father sent us to ensure your safety and deliver you to him. I hope it’s not too inconvenient.”
    “Well, it’s not terribly convenient. As you can see I am in the middle of a lecture.” I knew I should feel grateful that my father cared so much that he sent in the cavalry, all guns blazing, but I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed, and in turn angry.
    The policeman pulled a sympathetic face. “I’m sorry about that, but the foreign secretary is expecting you within the hour.”
    “And what the foreign secretary wants the foreign secretary gets.”
    “Yes, miss, that’s how it goes.”
    I rolled my eyes and looked over to my lecturer. “I’m so sorry for the disturbance.”
    “No problem, Penny. Let me know if there is anything I can do.” She fidgeted from one foot to the other.
    I smiled my thanks. Unless she could persuade my father not to blow a gasket when he saw me or convince him to race to Thailand to free the best friend of the man I was obsessing about, I didn’t think she could be much help.
    “This way,” the second policeman said, holding open the door and gesturing for me to go through it.
    Pushing my shoulders down and holding my head high, I stepped out of the lecture theater, flanked between the two burly officers. The din of excited conversation followed me like a sonic boom. Clearly I’d created quite a talking point.
    A sudden lump grew in my throat and I wished Trinny was at my side. She understood what it was like to be me better than anyone. She’d seen my father’s political career grow over the years we’d spent at school together. Our parents were good friends and she always managed to say the right thing when I was struggling with being the daughter of a public figure. Trouble was, she was four hundred miles away at university in Edinburgh.
    “Are you unharmed?” one policeman asked as we stepped from the building.
    “Yes, I’m fine,” I snapped. It was that or cry. How had it come to this?
    “We’ll have to take a statement from you.”
    “Later. Once I’ve spoken to my father.”
    “Of course.”
    Without another word, they escorted me to a waiting car, fortunately unmarked, and within minutes we were zipping through the traffic toward London. My heart felt swollen and my gut clenched. It was happening all over again. My life was out of control. My parents were upset and worried and I was on my own, wanting and waiting for someone I couldn’t have and shouldn’t want to have.
    * * * * *
     
    “Penny, Jesus, what the hell do you think you’re playing at?” Dad jumped to his feet and leaned over his wide desk. He pressed his knuckles down on piles of paperwork and narrowed his eyes. He reminded me of a forest gorilla getting ready to bang his chest or charge, all anger and aggression. “Have you any idea what terror your actions have caused your mother and I? I can’t believe you would do this, Penny, really I can’t.”
    “Hi, Dad.” I shut the door of his study and breathed in the heavy beeswax polish used on the mahogany paneling.
    “Don’t hi Dad me. I want to know why you didn’t call me, why you didn’t call the police as soon as this sick bastard made contact with you again. Damn it, Penny. What is the matter with you?”
    For the hundredth time I cursed myself for not picking up the phone to him last night. I really should have pushed my problems aside and thought of my parents. But I hadn’t, and it was impossible to turn back time no matter how much I wanted to.
    I stepped onto the plush, bottle-green carpet. “I was going to call later today. I know how busy