June 2nd, 2015. 7.30 p.m. Frederick Muldoon and his Home Secretary, Alan Petherbridge, sat in Muldoon’s office, by a fireplace filled with a large arrangement of flowers and foliage, creamy roses, bright red gladioli, pink and cream orchids. They had no eyes for the flowers. ‘Six people under arrest at Fairford and Hamscott Common occupied by demonstrators – how can that have happened? A few hundred men and women in anoraks take over the RAF bases, block the runways and set up camps. Why?’ This was not the first time Muldoon had asked this question, or Petherbridge answered it. ‘The base was taken by surprise. The Americans are responsible for base security, Prime Minister. Deplorable as it is, the invaders are the usual suspects – peace activists, CND, nuns, SWP. And of course, our old friend, the Reverend Alec Hutchinson. No demo complete without him.’ Petherbridge spoke smoothly, giving no sign he had said all this three times already that morning, the first time an hour ago at the COBRA meeting.
