Demons In The Dark by Formosa Vincent

Author:Formosa, Vincent
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-08-30T00:00:00+00:00

20 - The Glare Of Lights

At the turn of the century, the Kingsway area of London was a collection of slums and tenement housing. The land was cleared and redeveloped. Office buildings and expensive townhouses were built in their stead. At the end of Kingsway, was Bush House. A grand building, it had been built by the American industrialist Irving Bush. The BBC World Service had moved into the south-east wing after Broadcasting house was bombed a few weeks prior. On the other side of the road were two identical buildings. On the right side was Adastral House, home of the Air Ministry.

Formed in 1918, the Air Ministry had fought years of limited budgets and inter-service conflict to keep the Royal Air Force in existence. In the 20s, they had negotiated with the Treasury for the funds to build Cranwell, the RAF’s officer training college. They also became responsible for civil aviation. This led to the creation of Imperial Airways from a merger of the four largest airlines.

The Ministry issued specifications for new aircraft and did much to promote the development of new aviation technology. The highlight of this was the subsidizing of Britain's entry in the Schneider Tropy. Success in 1927, 29 and 31, had done much to cement the prestige of the RAF and Britain’s air power on the world stage.

On the third floor, facing the grand edifice of Bush House was a large office. It was a comfortable room. The carpet was rich, the furniture heavy and expensive. Prints of aircraft hung from frames on the wall. A pot plant was in the corner by the window, catching what sun there was. In the opposite corner was a drinks cabinet. Heavy iron radiators cranked out heat. The only sign there was a war on was the blast tape on the windows.

The office was divided into two areas. At the end nearest the window was a large desk with a high backed chair behind it. Two spindly chairs were for visitors. The other half of the office sported two long sofas that faced each other. Between them was a low table. Its centrepiece was a large wooden model of a Spitfire in flight.

That morning, the Under Secretary had a problem to solve. When he needed to force things through, he used the desk and the majesty of his role to intimidate and cajole. Today was different. He needed subtlety today. Men thought more clearly with a good drink, some biscuits or sandwiches, and a friendly ear.

David Morgan was a career civil servant. Managing to leverage a smattering of aviation experience, he had risen to a senior position in the Ministry. He didn’t have the pedigree to make it all the way to the top, but that suited him fine. He preferred to swim in the shadows, pulling strings. His sharp mind was often used to solve knotty little problems.

The Air Staff first raised this particular issue a few weeks ago. A few weeks ago, it hadn’t been a problem.

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