“Welcome to Arruhan! The resting-place! Though I fear there’s not much resting to be done here these days. That’s what it used to be called before the colonial powers decided to make it into its capital. Right by the river, you see. Very strategic for transport.”

Elizabeth again unbuttoned her jacket. She reached to open her window in order to take in all the town had to offer: sights, sounds, smells – life.

“Wouldn’t do that if I were you; not just because of the air-conditioning. It’s not exactly safe. Last week one of our secretaries had her glasses pinched from right off her nose as she slowed down at a junction. Got them back the next day on the market. Had to pay quite a price, though.”

They drove on past a large poster on the side of the road sporting a smiling black face announcing to the world: “My life has changed, now it’s your turn!”

Elizabeth turned to Doug and spoke for the first time.

“It really does look impressive. You did a good job there.”

“So you recognised it. I wondered whether you would.”

Elizabeth buttoned up her jacket. Fail to recognise the poster? How could she? She’d spent months with Doug working on the campaign. Moving into a third-world country was akin to passing through a minefield. True, there was a crock of gold at the end of it, but only if they managed to negotiate unseen obstacles which threatened daily to explode in their face.

Discovery Part One

Discovery Part Two

Tomorrow Paul talks about the creation of Discovery. All comments of two lines or more go into the draw at the end of the week for a limited edition (electronic) Red Book Reversed.