"They can be total pains in the neck," said Sarah in an off hand way she knew was insincere, "But, I suppose they sort of grow on you".

"I'm afraid most of what you said in there went right over my head", she continued. "One thing though that intrigued me, though, was the idea that the government didn't want data encryption to be too efficient because then they couldn't snoop on everybody else's computer messages."

"The idea isn't really so surprising." he said. "It's just the same as a policeman on patrol. Only the 'beat' has moved from the streets to copper wires and optical tubing. You wouldn't expect a bobby to walk down the street with his eyes closed would you."

"I suppose not", said Sarah, then abruptly changed the subject. "There's a bit of a coincidence that might interest you. I noticed that we have something in common - University College. We both got our degrees there."

"So you must know Gower Street well", said Sam. Sarah's eyes glazed slightly as teenage memories filtered pleasantly through her mind. Echoing corridors, quiet slightly fusty libraries and the incredible optimism of so many young people together that was beyond price.

"I've never gone back", she said, "somehow when you leave a College it's as if it no longer exists because Colleges and Universities are so much a reflection of the people in them. When the people change, as they do every three or four years, it's almost as if the feeling in the buildings changes."

"You may find less has changed than you think", he said, then added impulsively "My flat and offices are very close to the Law Faculty. Take my card and call me sometime. It would be a great pleasure to show you around your old stamping ground and perhaps I can bore you a bit more on the subject of data encryption."

He sat back in his chair feeling uncomfortable wondering if he had gone too far. This lady sat looking elegantly untouchable on the edge of her chair opposite but he felt strongly drawn to spending more time with her and the attraction he felt overcame his shyness.

"Thank you that would be absolutely wonderful", she smiled. He chuckled - feeling a weight lifting from him - convention lectures were always more stressful and depressing than the cosy familiarity of his usual lecture halls. Talking to her had really lifted his spirits. Then impulsively - "What about Friday next week? Lunch time marks the end of the Spring Term and should be pretty boozy but in the afternoon it will be more quiet and you can mooch about and remember old times."

"Twelve o'clock midday it is then", said Sarah, "I can't wait."

Sarah rejoined Tim who was now seated quietly by himself in the coffee lounge to say she had made contact as instructed and to enquire what was the next step. She then spent the rest of the day arranging for the JennyCare service to look after her children again to allow David time to go and job search.



The next day, Avignon emerged from beneath the wing tips of the small executive jet that had carried them from the tiny Cobham airfield in Surrey to this southern part of France within the space of just a few short hours.

The polluted air of London now seemed far away as Sarah gazed down at the bright river glittering in the early morning sun as it meandered through this ancient town. The river was interrupted by two bridges. The modern one carried the occasional car and tourist buses. The old bridge close by had been immortalised in the famous song, 'Sur Le Pont D'Avignon' sung by children of many generations.

It was only half a bridge now though - the pilot had explained - the other half had been destroyed in the last war. The plane taxied to a halt near a low ranch like building and its occupants climbed out stretching away their stiff muscles from the flight.