Page 45 of Fire Must Burn

‘You would have been better off trying that when you saw me in Maggs Brothers,’ she said.

‘The two of us surrounded by old books,’ he said. ‘I remember. Lesson learned, Sparks. Here’s a cab. What’s the address?’

‘Little Venice,’ she said, as he held the door for her. ‘I’m living on a narrowboat.’

‘Sounds nice. As long as there aren’t any typhoons.’

‘So far, so good,’ she said. ‘Goodnight, Tony. Let me know how things go.’

He slipped some coins to the cabbie, then waved as she rode away. She gave a tentative wave back in response, then turned and watched through the windscreen without another backwards glance.

She had the cabbie let her off a street away rather than have him know her exact location, then walked to theCecilia.

She wondered if there would be someone waiting for her already, but the narrowboat had no one there who shouldn’t be. She went inside and immediately brushed her teeth, hoping it would reduce the smell of ale on her breath. Then she picked up her book of British water beetles, curled up in the overstuffed armchair in the saloon, and read, waiting.

She had almost drifted off when the knock came at the door. She put the book down, then picked up her cricket bat which she had placed leaning against the armchair. She walked over to the door.

‘Who is it?’ she called.

‘It’s Carruthers, Lollipop,’ came a man’s voice. ‘Put your coat on. He’s in the car, and he’s hopping mad.’

SIX

Carruthers was the Brigadier’s principal bodyguard and chauffeur since the early years of the recent war. He was tall and well-built, his usual black suit tight around the biceps. Sparks sometimes wondered how she would fare against him hand-to-hand. She thought she might be able to beat him, but only if she landed the first blow.

The Bentley was parked on the street by her boat. She followed Carruthers to it and got in the rear without protest when he opened the door for her.

‘Good evening, sir,’ she said as she sat down. ‘To what do I owe the pleasure?’

‘I was informed this evening that you met up with Danforth at an establishment in Westminster,’ said the Brigadier, staring straight ahead, the Dunhill in his mouth burned down almost to the filter. More cigarette ends poked from the ashtray in the rear of the front bench.

‘The Barley Mow. I recommend the ale.’

‘I want to know every word that was said, and then I will decide whether or not to let you out of this car.’

‘Your man didn’t give you a full report?’

‘He couldn’t hear everything. But he informed me that the date ended with you kissing Danforth.’

‘He kissed me. It wasn’t my idea.’

‘Why were you with him?’

‘He asked me out for a drink.’

‘And you agreed? Just like that?’

‘He’s still my friend,’ said Sparks. ‘He still thinks I’m his. It would be odd if I turned him down.’

‘Yet you didn’t alert us.’

‘I was going to call afterwards, but I spotted your man. I figured I’d be receiving a visit tonight. That’s why I’m not in my pyjamas as we speak.’

‘I appreciate your keeping your clothes on for me, Sparks. Tell me about the conversation.’

She recounted it in as much detail as she could.

‘Dating advice,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘He actually asked you for dating advice?’