The Horse at the Gates Read Online Free PDF

happening here. But why? He marched back to his chair and pulled his coat on, helping Ella into hers.
    ‘I want a detailed dossier on what you’ve just told me. Include everything, Mr Davies. Media files, departmental communications, minutes of meetings, the lot. I’m putting a stop to this shambles.’
    Davies hesitated, his hands folded nervously on the table. ‘You’re shutting us down?’
    Bryce nodded. ‘That’s why you contacted my office, isn’t it?’
    ‘Sir, with all due respect, I’ll need some assurances. Being a whistleblower doesn’t exactly look good on one’s CV. I’ve got financial commitments, a pension to consider-’
    Bryce cut him short, snapping the collar of his coat around his ears. ‘You’ll be taken care of, Mr Davies, you have my word. It’s your superiors who may be seeking new employment opportunities.’
    Davies rose from behind his desk, clearly relieved. ‘I appreciate that, Sir.’
    ‘As soon as possible, Mr Davies.’
    Outside, helicopter rotor blades beat the air, whipping clouds of spray across the tarmac. Thirty seconds later they were airborne, the nose of the helicopter dipping as it cleared the boundary fence. As they climbed higher, Bryce settled back in his seat. The whole relocation programme was experiencing a fundamental breakdown and refugees were still arriving, hundreds every day. Bryce felt a mixture of emotions: anger, confusion and a lingering sense of unease. Davies had painted a picture of growing lawlessness, coupled with a burgeoning cultural assertiveness that was given legitimacy by Tariq’s deep involvement. Murders , for God’s sake. Something had to be done.
    Next to him, Ella said, ‘You’re kidding, right? About shutting down the programme?’
    ‘Does it sound like I’m kidding?’
    Ella’s eyes widened behind her frames. ‘You can’t. Brussels won’t allow it; and besides, EU immigration laws prevent us from excluding members of extended families already settled here in Britain. We’re legally bound to accept them. We’d be overruled, Gabe, and the press will hang you out to dry.’
    ‘To hell with the bloody press,’ Bryce seethed. ‘People have been killed back there, Ella. This is exactly the sort of ammunition I need to block Cairo.’
    The Special Advisor’s face paled in the dim cabin. ‘You’re what? ’
    ‘Look, if we can’t deal with a few hundred thousand refugees, what d’you think will happen if we ratify Cairo?’
    ‘Jesus, think about what you’re saying, Gabe. You can’t block it. Anyway,’ she warned, ‘you’ve already signed off on the framework document. The wheels are in motion. They’re building the bloody stage as we speak, for Christ’s sake. It’s too late.’
    ‘Without my signature the treaty is a no go,’ Bryce reminded her.
    ‘But we need that deal,’ Ella stressed. ‘Egypt is sitting on top of some of the biggest shale gas fields the region has ever seen, not to mention the oil finds; they’re practically giving it away compared to our existing deals with Russia and the Gulf states. Accession is a small price to pay in comparison. We have to be realistic, Gabe.’
    Bryce’s nostrils flared. ‘It’s not the prospect of Egypt joining the EU that bothers me; it’s the millions of refugees they’re trying to unload on the rest of us.’
    ‘Oh, please. Now you’re beginning to sound like your own hate mail.’
    ‘Rubbish.’ Bryce found it difficult to filter the frustration out of his voice. ‘Look, we’ve already given leave to stay to over four hundred thousand refugees, plus the hundred thousand back there at Heathrow still waiting to be processed, and tonight we’ve discovered that the whole place is a complete and utter shambles. No,’ he declared, chopping the air with his hand, ‘there’ll be no more refugees. And no treaty, not until we get our own house in order.’
    Ella took a moment to remove her glasses, polishing the lenses with the cuff of her sweater. ‘And