Skinner's festival

66

Skinner saw the ball drop as the gun went off.

"This is where I'll be, Andy. I can see the whole show from here.'

The three of them – Skinner, Martin and Adam Arrow stood on the Castle battlements, just at the angle where the Millsi Mount Battery joins with the Western Defences, a part of the image which most visitors conjure up when their thoughts returnj to Edinburgh, f It was a few seconds after one o'clock. Close by, the famoui gun still smoked, having just boomed out its time signal. When it had fired, Skinner had been gazing out, across Princes Street, over' the Scott Monument and the Balmoral Hotel, at the roof of the round grey stone building on the top of Calton Hill, and had seen the huge green globe as it slid down its flagpole, in a visual time- check for navigators in the wide River Forth, simultaneous with the sounding of the gun for those on land.

Now all three looked downwards, observing the main Glasgow railway line at the base of the rock, and beyond it the chasm of Princes Street Gardens, all in the shadow of the great Castle. The tented roof had been removed from the Ross Theatre. Only the stage was out of sight, under the canopy of the open-air bandstand, which for all its grand theatrical title, it was for most of the year.

The air was heavy, the heat stifling. Skinner glanced up. Thete was a hint of purple about the sky. i 'It's going to break, Andy.' E 'You can set your watch by it, boss. Whatever else the weather does in Edinburgh, you can be sure it'll piss down on the Fireworks concert!'

Skinner laughed. 'Aye, that and don't forget the Queen'sjGarden party in July!' But their moment of light relief was a short f. one. 'Have we covered everything, d'you think?' he asked, deadly serious once more. "

'Yes, I think so,' said Martin. 'Princes Street gets blocked off to vehicles at nine o'clock, but the crowd barriers will be installed along the north pavement this afternoon, and we'll close the pavement looking into the Gardens at eight, as soon as the last of the shops close.'

'Right,' said Skinner. 'And as soon as you see to that, you're off to Number 6 to meet up with Ballantyne and the Prime Minister. Although we've doubled the guard on him, like all the Scottish ministers, I want you and Brian to be as close to him and the PM as their underarm deodorant, until tonight's well and truly over. The PM's protection men are happy for us to run this one, not that they were given a choice. You and Brian will be in the Jag with our two VIPs when they leave Number 6. You'll have armed officers in cars in front and back, and four motorcycle outriders, one on each corner. Mind you, you should be all right in that Jag anyway. There's a ton-and-a-half of armour plating in it, and all its glass is proof against any sort of bullet. So listen, if the shit does start to fly down there tonight, the first thing you do is get Ballantyne and the PM inside that bloody motor. It'll be the safest place in Edinburgh.'

He turned to Arrow. 'Adam, you and your men will be stationed inside the theatre area, agreed?'

'Mm. That's right. We'U guard the perimeter, and keep watch on the seats, in case some looker's planted himself in the audience.

One lookin' out, one lookin' in, alternately, all the way round, using night glasses. I'd be happier with another couple of men, though.'

'You've got them. I'll give you McGuire and Mcllhenney. In fact, why don't we kit them out in bulletproof vests and helmets and ask them take up position behind Ballantyne and the PM.

They're both big wide buggers. They'll make good blockers.

They'd have to volunteer, but I know them – they will. That'll "ee up all of your guys for what they're best at.' "Thanks, Bob.'

'What about Maggie Rose?' said Martin. 'We mustn't forget about her. She'd be pissed off if she was left out of the action.' "That's OK. Maggie will be with me, up here, watching for whatever happens. For believe me, boys, there will be something to be seen, and it won't be just fireworks. I've never felt as certain o' anything in my life.'