Prologue
January 2000
Camilla had almost melted by the time the courier finally arrived. The late summer heat was so intense that she felt uncomfortable in her dark business suit, even though she had only been standing outside for ten minutes. Dressed to impress and not for a day at the beach, which would have been more appropriate.
In her defence, Camilla hadn’t been planning to stand outside in the heat when she had dressed that morning. Working in the office of the most important man in the country, she always had to look her best. Not for him, he wouldn’t have cared. But everything she did in public reflected on him. She knew work expected her to present an image of professionalism. Expected if she wanted to keep her job.
Most days, she wouldn’t have regretted her attire. Her black skirt suit, ivory silk blouse, lacy underwear, and matching stockings suited the office. But in the heat of the outdoors, she wished it all away for a light summer dress and sandals. All this discomfort just to wait for a parcel. All part of her job.
But she had done it because they had asked her to. Her job required her to do many things that others didn’t: work long hours; smile at people she loathed; wait on those who cared nothing for her time. So, when she’d agreed, standing outside for a few minutes on a sunny day seemed like a welcome change. It was only in the last few minutes when the pickles appeared on her skin beneath her wool jacket that she’d wished she was somewhere else.
Once she’d collected the small package from the courier, Camilla dashed back inside the building to seek refuge from the heat. She’d had to walk all the way back to her desk before she felt comfortable enough to remove her jacket. Once off, the building’s air-conditioning took its full effect upon her silk blouse. It took a few more minutes before she felt sufficiently cooled down to feel comfortable in her outfit again.
She alerted her boss’s secretary that she had the small box in her possession. Instructed to unwrap it and wait, she just sat there waiting. She thought she might check her emails again, but it was Friday and there was nothing waiting for her that couldn’t wait till the following week. She was ready for the weekend and bringing the box into her boss’s office when he called would likely be her last duty before she could go home. If she hadn’t caught his secretary’s eye minutes earlier, she likely would be home already.
With nothing more to do that day, Camilla idly looked about her for a momentary distraction. Seeing none on her clutter free desk, she chanced a look inside the small wooden box that had caused her recent mild discomfort and delayed her departure. Inside there were two round gold medals, one larger than the other and each a seven-pointed star topped with a crown. The ribbon was mostly yellow with red chevrons pointing north at regular intervals. The words “For Gallantry.” cast into the medal. It wasn’t the first time that she had seen or handled such things since she’d been working for the Prime Minister. She suspected another old general was receiving a retirement gift, but it may be someone younger, as there was all that business happening up in Timor.
She had only just resealed the box when the phone rang.
“Prime Minister’s office, Camilla speaking,” she said.
“Yes, we are ready now.” Prime Minster Howard said. “Can you bring it in, please?”
