Maralinga by Judy Nunn Page A

been questioned –’
    â€˜And they’re not being questioned now.’ Harold was quick to appease, although he felt superior – Penney was such a typical boffin in his opinion. Good God, even the look of the man – small in stature, lanky straight hair, horn-rimmed glasses … It was a source of wonder how he’d ever achieved leadership in the first place, Harold thought. ‘No-one’s undermining your authority, William. We’re just keeping an overalleye on things for security purposes. Can’t be too careful after the Fuchs affair, can we?’
    The comment only added insult to injury as far as Penney was concerned. ‘There’s been not the slightest hint of any breach of security throughout the tests I’ve conducted.’
    â€˜Well …’ Harold looked just a little dubious. ‘A whisper did reach our ears that Operation Hurricane came close to being compromised.’
    â€˜How?’ William Penney was understandably appalled. Having received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II for heading the successful detonation of Britain’s first nuclear device in the Monte Bello Islands, he was outraged that Dartleigh should cast a shadow over the momentous event. ‘How and by whom, exactly, was Operation Hurricane compromised ?’
    â€˜Oh, come, come, William, you of all people can’t expect me to answer such a question.’ Harold managed to flatter and patronise at the same time, a skill he’d perfected over the years. ‘ Need to know, old man.’ He smiled and tapped his nose with his forefinger in true conspiratorial fashion. ‘ Need to know. ’
    The adage was one Sir William Penney himself regularly used, and the practice was one he intended to adopt at Maralinga, where everyone, scientists and armed forces alike, would work strictly on a need-to-know-only basis. It was clear that Harold Dartleigh intended to annoy him, Penney thought. He maintained a dignified silence.
    Harold decided it was time to back off. ‘Nothing to worry about, William, I can assure you. A minor leak – safely discovered and contained.’ There had beenno breach of security at all at Monte Bello, but Harold had felt the need to establish himself in the pecking order. ‘Just as I can assure you,’ he continued, ‘that MI6 will in no way influence the chain of command at Maralinga.’ He smiled jovially. ‘Good heavens above, I won’t even be there half the time.’
    â€˜I trust you will communicate that in the briefing,’ Penney said stiffly. ‘Shall we go in? I believe they’re ready for us.’
    William Penney had reluctantly invited Harold Dartleigh to a heads of departments meeting at Aldermaston in Berkshire. Roughly twenty miles northwest of Aldershot, RAF Aldermaston, an abandoned World War II airfield, had for several years been the selected home for Britain’s nuclear weapons program.
    â€˜After you, William.’ Harold stepped courteously aside, giving a quick nod as he did so to Ned Hanson, his assisting officer, who had been waiting by the main doors discreetly out of earshot. ‘After you.’
    Ned joined them, and the three entered the briefing room, where around twenty men were seated waiting. Scientists and engineers from every area of expertise, they headed the various departments of Sir William Penney’s research team.
    Harold and Ned Hanson sat in the vacant chairs that had been reserved for them down the front, while William Penney marched directly to the table facing the assembly, behind which, on the wall, was a projection screen. He did not introduce Harold Dartleigh, nor did he make any formal address to the gathering, having greeted his team earlier and chatted with each man personally, well before the arrival of the MI6 representatives.
    â€˜Let’s get straight down to business, shall we,’ he said, signalling to his young assistant who was