First Response

KENSINGTON (2.02 p.m.)

Mohamed Osman flinched as the mobile phone in his waistpack buzzed. He was sweating and wiped his forehead with the back of his sleeve. The phone buzzed again. The girl was standing as far away from him as she could and the chain linking them was taut. He had to step towards her to reach into the waistpack but as soon as he moved she backed away from him. He tried to smile. ‘I have to answer the phone,’ he said.

‘What phone?’

‘In my pack. Someone is calling me. I have to use my left hand.’ He held up his right hand and showed her the trigger. ‘I have to keep hold of this. You understand?’

The girl nodded fearfully. Osman took a step towards her and this time she didn’t move. He unzipped the pack and took out the phone. He pressed the green button to accept the call and put it to his ear.

‘Are you well, brother?’ It was Shahid.

‘I just want to go home,’ said Osman. ‘What we’re doing is wrong.’

‘You are part of jihad, brother, you should be proud. Now, listen to me and listen carefully. You are to release the children. But only the children. You are to take the children to the door and allow them to leave, in single file. If you allow even one of the adults to escape, I will detonate the vest. Do you understand?’

‘Please, this isn’t fair. I shouldn’t be here. I’m a good Muslim. I have a mother and a father and they need me. They depend on my money. I should be at work today. This isn’t—’

‘Brother, if you carry on like this I will detonate the vest. Is that what you want?’

‘No!’ said Osman.

‘Then do as I say. Let the children go. But the adults must stay. Do you understand?’

‘Yes.’

‘Then do as you are told, brother, and know that you are serving Allah the best you can.’ The line went dead. Osman put the phone away and zipped up the waistpack with a trembling hand. He tried to smile at the girl. ‘What is your name, madam?’ he asked.

‘Sally,’ she said, her voice trembling. ‘Sally Jones.’

He forced a smile, trying to put her at ease. ‘Sally, you have to help me,’ he said. ‘We are going to let the children go.’

‘Really?’

He nodded. ‘Can you gather them all together? And then we will take them to the door. The police will be outside to meet them.’

‘What about me?’

‘The adults have to stay inside.’

‘Why can’t you let us all go?’

‘I can’t. But the children can go.’

‘Are you going to kill us?’

‘I don’t think so,’ said Osman. ‘Not if we all do as we’re told. Now gather them together.’

Sally closed her eyes, took a deep breath, then opened them. ‘Right, children, listen to me,’ she said. ‘It’s time to go outside so I want you all to stand up and hold hands. We’re going to go for a walk.’

‘What’s happening?’ asked Laura.

‘He’s letting the children go,’ said Sally.

‘What about us?’

‘We have to stay.’

Laura was close to tears.

‘Madam, the children can go now,’ said Osman. ‘If the prisoners are released, you will be able to go, too. Now, please, get the children organised.’

The children were standing up and looking around, confused.

‘Children, I want you all to hold hands in a long line,’ shouted Sally. ‘Hold hands with the friend next to you.’

‘What about us?’ Laura said to Osman. ‘You should let us all go.’

‘I can’t,’ he said. ‘If any adults leave, the vest I am wearing will explode.’

‘This isn’t fair,’ said Laura.

‘I know, madam. I am sorry. But, please believe me, if any of the adults try to leave, the bomb I am wearing will explode and everybody will die.’

‘Just because you want your friends released from prison?’

‘They are not my friends, madam. Now, please, get the children ready.’

Some of the children had split into twos. ‘No, children, form a line,’ shouted Sally. ‘Hold hands with the friends either side so we make a long line, like a snake.’

Laura went over to help the children. Several had realised that something was wrong and had been crying.

‘It’s all right, children!’ shouted Sally. ‘Your mummies and daddies are outside.’ She realised what Max Dunbar was about to do and she yelled at him, ‘Max, I swear to God, if you bite Henrietta I’ll slap you into the middle of next week.’

The boy’s jaw dropped and he stared at her in astonishment.

‘I’m serious, Max. You do as you’re bloody well told for once in your life!’