GOVERNMENT BAFFLED’ but people were mostly concerned with escaping from the rain. The rush-hour traffic was already building up around Oxford Circus. The rain was heavy, slowing the buses and taxis to a crawl – even so, pedestrians on the pavements were frequently splashed as the vehicles’ wheels rolled through the accumulated water in the gutters. Tempers were more frayed than usual as commuters hurried to get home to the warmth. The newsvendor was trying hard to attract their attention. His accent pierced the cold, wet night air, for at five o’clock it was already dark. ‘Read awl abaht it! Read awl abaht it! Nuver top deaf!’ The saloon car crept towards Oxford Circus from the direction of Langham Place. These small inconspicuous cars were often used to carry VIPs. The driver was much younger than the man at his side, Professor Stuart Dorman, MD, FRCP, a senior member of the Medical Research Council, on his way to another urgent meeting with the Minister of Health. As the car passed the newsvendor, Professor Dorman glanced quickly at the placard.
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