Albatross (29 page)

‘Leave the scotch alone,' Lomax said quietly. ‘You've had enough.'

Harrington glared at him. The television offered little; time was dragging; he felt restless and uneasy with Lomax, his look of contempt the only communication during hours of silence. He had helped himself to two large drinks and they were taking a hold on him. He felt aggressive and brave; eager to do battle with his guardian. In words, of course. Harrington felt confident in his ability to goad and wound. ‘This is going to be a jolly evening,' he remarked. He tipped another measure in as Lomax raised himself from the chair. ‘I get rid of smiling Davy, and I'm left here with you glowering at me like a bloody ogre! If I feel like getting pissed, I will!' He slumped down on the sofa, nursing the glass, watching Lomax with a sneer as he locked the cupboard and put the key in his pocket. ‘Why didn't boyfriend number two take over?' Harrington demanded. ‘He was better company than you.' He saw Lomax stiffen, and thought gleefully, I've scored a hit there … he doesn't like that.…

‘Why don't you shut up?' Colin said. He looked down at Harrington and gently he began to rock on his heels. ‘If you're going to talk, why don't you make it interesting? About Albatross, for instance?'

‘I've told Davy all I can.' Harrington spoke with mock sincerity. ‘It's up to her now.'

Lomax said slowly, ‘I think you know more than that. I think you've been holding out on her. Why don't you open your heart to me, friend?'

Harrington sobered suddenly. Fear made him choke on his whisky. Lomax wouldn't really start playing rough – not in a place like this … he wouldn't come at him and use those clenched fists. They were clenched, and he was moving. Harrington dropped the drink and started up. Lomax reached him and put a hand on his chest. ‘Sit down,' he said and pushed.

Harrington took a gamble. He was soaked with the spilt whisky and the sweat was oozing out of him, but his wits worked as they always did when personal danger threatened. ‘You're doing this because I said that about the boyfriend,' he accused. ‘I can't tell you anything and you know it. You just want an excuse to beat me up.'

‘I don't need an excuse,' Lomax answered in a level voice. ‘I think you've sent Davina into a dicey situation. If you come clean with me, I can get her out of it. That's all I want. Who do
you
think is Albatross, Harrington?'

Play for time, Harrington told himself. Don't, for Christ's sake, provoke him any more. Why did you say that about the boyfriend, you bleeding idiot? ‘I think it's the Chief,' he said. ‘But I haven't said so to Davy. That's who she hopes it is, and she'll never find out if she goes in with her mind made up.' Lomax turned very slowly and sat opposite him. Harrington didn't let his breath out in a gasp of relief; he coughed instead.

‘Why him?' Lomax answered.

‘Because he was the only one who knew where she and Sasanov were hiding in Australia. That's the key to it. But she's got to get proof. And I can't give it to her.'

‘She thinks she's going to get it at her home,' Lomax said. ‘Which could put her in danger if you're wrong, Harrington. If it's Kidson, she's completely unprotected, and he's in the house. Having got her to go down there.'

‘If you suspect him,' Harrington countered, ‘then why not that old poof, Humphrey? He had the same opportunities in many ways as either of them. But he didn't have the information about Australia, any more than Kidson.'

‘For Christ's sake,' Lomax suddenly sprang up, ‘of course he knew – he was bloody well married to her sister! That's how Kidson found out! He probably married her to get it –'

‘Not according to the files,' Harrington protested; he sounded uncertain. ‘Don't run away with yourself.…'

Lomax turned round to him. ‘I'm going to leave you here,' he said. ‘With a couple of chaps to look after you.' He saw Harrington's look of alarm and dismissed it. ‘You needn't worry; they won't hurt you, and you'll be a lot safer with them around than the fellow last night. He wouldn't know what to do if the SIS came calling, but these boys would.' He went into the bedroom and telephoned Fraser. An hour later the former SAS sergeant and the ex-Marine Commando were settled in front of the TV, with Harrington bunched up on the sofa between them. They were genial, chatted to him about the programmes and, on Lomax's instructions, let him have another whisky. The floor waiter who brought in trays of sandwiches and bottles of lager managed to conceal his astonishment. These days, the most extraordinary people came to the hotel.

‘The garden's looking lovely', Davina remarked.

‘Yes,' Betty Graham said, ‘it's a lot of work, you know, but it's so satisfying when things grow. You look a little tired, Davina – are you working hard?'

‘Quite hard,' she answered, ‘but it's very interesting.'

‘I'm not clear what you actually
do
?' Captain Graham said.

‘I look after some of the clients; I explain the advertising layouts to them, and I collate the ideas and information for my boss on some of the bigger campaigns.'

‘You mean like the awful television adverts,' her father said grumpily. ‘They always come in the middle of something interesting.'

Betty Graham stepped in quickly. ‘How's Colin? We're so sorry he didn't come with you.'

Davina repeated the lie about a regimental reunion.

‘Is he really a hundred per cent now?' The captain showed some warmth when he asked about Lomax. A splendid type. Davina did look tired; time she hurried up or she'd lose him.

‘He's very well,' she said. ‘He's working very hard getting himself fit. He sends his love.' Then she asked, ‘What time is Charlie arriving?'

‘Any minute,' her father answered brightly.

‘I'd better go and do something about dinner.' Betty Graham got up and immediately Davina followed her out.

She had never been close to her mother as a child; now that she needed to talk to her about something that was so important and so personal, she hesitated. She didn't know how to approach her. Mother, darling, you remember how we used to write to each other when we were in Australia – did you ever tell anyone we were there? Did Charlie know, or John? She could imagine the look of surprise on her mother's handsome face, the raised eyebrows at the suggestion that she might have been careless or indiscreet and that Ivan Sasanov died because of it.… And she could hear the pleasant voice inquiring why she asked such an extraordinary question. Surely she
knew
they never mentioned anything to a living soul? And wasn't it a little morbid, said more gently this time, to look back on the past when she had a fine man like Colin in love with her and a new life ahead? It would be so sensible and calm and well meant; she would hear it and want to scream at her mother, to take her by the shoulders and shake the complacency out of her.

They were in the kitchen. Davina took over the salad and began preparing it. She felt stiff and tongue-tied and her resentment was growing.

‘Davina,' her mother said quietly, ‘what's the matter? You seem so worried. Do tell me about it.'

It was so unexpected that tears came into her eyes. Mother and daughter looked at each other for a moment. Davina felt herself blush. She had forgotten how kind and supportive her parents had been when she came back from Australia; she had been judging in terms of the past.

‘Mother,' she said, ‘I've got to ask you something. It's going to sound awful. Promise you won't mind?'

‘No, of course I won't,' Betty Graham answered. ‘Ask anything you want.'

Davina bit her lip for a moment; it was a habit she had picked up in Mexico, and Lomax always teased her when she did it. ‘You never told anyone Ivan and I were in Australia, did you?'

‘No,' her mother said firmly. ‘Your father and I knew that both your lives depended upon it. We never said a word to anyone.'

Davina asked the worst question. ‘Not even to Charlie?'

Betty Graham shook her head. ‘Least of all Charlie,' she said with a little smile. ‘She'd never keep a secret. Certainly not from John.'

‘Oh, thank God.' Davina gave a long sigh of relief.

‘Why are you asking, Davina dear? What's happened to bring this up again?'

‘I can't explain, I'm sorry. But it was important to be sure.' She came close to her mother and kissed her.

Betty Graham held her daughter gently by the arms and said, ‘You're not really in advertising, are you, darling? This is something to do with your old work, isn't it?'

‘Yes, Mummy, it is. Bless you, you're far too clever to be fooled.'

‘I'm not clever at all,' she said. ‘It's not anything dangerous, I hope.'

‘No, don't worry about that.'

‘And you've got Colin to look after you. That's a blessing.'

‘I'm glad to hear you say so, Mrs Graham.' They stepped back as Lomax came into the room. He walked up to Davina and kissed her. ‘You heard your mother,' he said, ‘so you needn't look like that. I hope you don't mind my bursting in, Mrs Graham?'

‘Not in the least,' she said happily. ‘But what about your regimental reunion?'

‘I decided to give it a miss. Charlie and John have just driven up.'

Mrs Graham said, ‘Oh, I must go and see them. Davina, don't worry about the salad, I'll make it later.…' She hurried out and Davina and Lomax were alone.

‘Who's with Harrington?' She didn't mean to sound abrupt, but he stiffened.

‘Two very competent members of my old regiment,' he answered, forgetting the ex-Marine. ‘He's in good hands, don't worry. I didn't think you were, so I decided to come down. From what I heard, your mother knows something's up?'

Davina nodded. The exchange was becoming more awkward between them. She didn't know what to do to break the barrier that had sprung up as soon as he came into the kitchen. ‘She guessed,' she said. ‘Anyway, she answered the main question. She and my father never said a word about Australia to Charlie or anyone else.'

‘That's why I came down,' Lomax said. ‘Because I thought Kidson would have been the one person in a position to find out.'

‘He couldn't have done,' Davina said. ‘We're on the wrong track, Colin. John had nothing to do with setting Ivan up. We'd better go out and say hello.'

She turned and walked past him; he caught her by the arm. There was real pain in his expression as she looked up at him. ‘Don't be like this with me,' he said. ‘I love you. Don't let this happen between us.'

She should have responded. She should have turned to him and put her arms around him. She didn't and she couldn't say why. ‘Colin, let's talk about it later. I've got too much on my mind at the moment. Later, please?'

‘All right.' He let her go. As he did so, he knew for certain that he had lost her. Moments later, they were gathered on the sunny terrace behind the house, with Charlie holding court and her parents cooing over their little grandson.

‘Ronnie, you're sure you'll be all right?'

The boy said, ‘Of course. Don't you worry about me. I'll settle in with the telly; if you've got anything to go to the launderette I'll take it along with my things.'

Humphrey shook his head. ‘I use a laundry.'

Ronnie showed his excellent teeth in a cheery grin. ‘Well, you won't need to in future,' he said. ‘I'll do it for you. I like ironing; it's peaceful.' He hesitated for a moment and then said, ‘What happens if someone rings up? What do I say?'

Humphrey patted him on the shoulder. ‘You say you're a friend staying here and take a message,' he told him. ‘I'll give you a call myself, just to see you're not too lonely. I'll be back on Sunday anyway. Take care.'

‘You too,' Ronnie said, and went out into the little hallway to see him off.

‘Well, this
is
a surprise.' Captain Graham was in a jovial mood; his irritability with Davina had disappeared when Charlie and his grandson arrived. He was genuinely delighted to see Lomax, fond of John, his son-in-law, and mellowed by the harmony that flowed between his wife and his elder daughter. He hadn't heard Davina call Betty by the childhood ‘Mummy' since she'd come back widowed from the tragedy in Australia.

And then an unexpected figure appeared through the wrought-iron garden gate, flanked by the house labradors who recognized and welcomed him. Sir James White advanced upon the family group, the last of the evening sunlight turning his white hair into a halo. He radiated good humour, kissed Betty Graham, shook his old friend's hand and said expansively, ‘I was passing this way and I couldn't resist dropping in. And how nice to find everyone gathered together. Davina, my dear girl – how are you?'

Kidson had changed colour. Lomax was watching him closely, and he saw the light tan fade and then deepen as he reddened. He hadn't been expecting to see his Chief. He watched Davina square her shoulders slightly as Sir James came up to her.

‘I'm very well,' she said coolly. ‘I suppose we'll see Humphrey next?'

‘Is he coming too?' exclaimed her mother. ‘Why didn't he telephone? We'd love to see him, of course.'

‘Oh, I doubt you will,' the Chief chuckled. ‘It's only your daughter's sense of humour, my dear Betty. It's always been a little wry. Charlie, as beautiful as ever – come and give an old man a kiss.'

‘There's nothing old about you,' Charlie declared, and responded handsomely with an embrace.

‘Ah, but there is,' he insisted. There was a drink in his hand by then and they were sitting round, watching the day die. ‘I'm retiring soon, you know. Going out to grass at last.' He looked across at John Kidson and chuckled again. ‘Making way for someone younger.'