Page 30 of Fire Must Burn

‘What?’

‘Mr Lonsdale called after you left yesterday.’

‘Oh? Was it about Miss Lowle?’

‘I’m afraid so.’

‘How bad was it?’

‘He’s given up on finding a match. He’s leaving London and going back home.’

‘That’s unfortunate,’ said Iris. ‘Was it a very upsetting conversation?’

‘It was for me,’ said Gwen. ‘I just had this awful feeling that we’ve hurt an innocent person in the service of this mission, no matter how small or well-meaning our involvement is.’

‘Are you angry at me for suggesting him?’

‘At you, and at myself,’ said Gwen. ‘I felt as if I should have been more forceful in my opposition to the idea. This is how they pull you in, I suppose. They prey upon your good intentions, and the next thing you know, someone else has given up on his life.’

‘He might come back,’ said Iris.

‘We don’t know that,’ said Gwen.

‘No. Nor do we know what’s going to happen to Tony.’

‘What are you hoping for?’

‘His complete and absolute exoneration,’ said Iris.

‘But you still want to go through with this.’

‘Yes, because that’s the only way to get his complete and absolute exoneration, assuming he deserves one. The wheels for this were set in motion before we became part of it.’

‘Very well,’ said Gwen. ‘I feel conflicted about him, and I haven’t even met him yet.’

The clock ticked slowly towards the appointed hour. As the bells tolled noon outside, they heard the door to the building open and shut, then footsteps ascend the stairs. A minute later, they heard Mrs Billington greeting someone and a man’s voice reply.

‘That’s him,’ said Iris.

‘And now he’ll be filling out the application, then Mrs Billington will bring him over,’ said Gwen. ‘Just like every other client.’

Two minutes later, Mrs Billington appeared in the doorway, an application in hand.

‘Are you ready, ladies?’ she asked.

‘We are,’ said Gwen.

‘Mr Danforth, if you’ll come with me,’ said Mrs Billington, coming in.

Shorter than I expected, thought Gwen as they rose to greet him. Nice-looking, though.

‘Hello, Tony,’ said Sparks warmly, coming over to kiss him on the cheek. ‘Welcome to The Right Sort. This is my partner and friend, Mrs Gwendolyn Bainbridge.’

‘How do you do, Mr Danforth?’ said Mrs Bainbridge. ‘Please take a seat.’

‘Thank you, Mrs Bainbridge,’ he said. ‘Good afternoon, Miss Sparks. I trust you’re none the worse for wear after our reunion?’

‘Nothing I couldn’t handle,’ said Sparks with a grin. ‘Yourself?’