Page 5 of Fire Must Burn

‘How old were you?’

‘Fifteen. She made me read the entire pamphlet aloud to him, which was mortifying for both of us. We’re being followed, by the way.’

‘Are we?’ exclaimed Gwen.

‘Not so loud,’ Iris cautioned her.

‘Sorry,’ said Gwen, dropping her voice. ‘Followed by whom? And for how long?’

‘A man wearing a dark blue cap, dressed like a dock worker. I noticed him smoking on the corner when we left the office. I thought he was a long way from the nearest dock.’

‘You didn’t say anything then.’

‘I wanted to see what he was going to do next,’ said Iris.‘He tailed us on Oxford Street, then flagged down a car and vanished. But he’s reappeared since we’ve hit Edgware. I haven’t spotted the car, but I’ll bet it’s somewhere close by.’

‘What should we do?’

‘For a start, let’s look at the ladies’ shoes in the window at Forley’s.’

They paused in front of the shop, Iris surreptitiously producing her compact from her purse and angling the mirror to see down the pavement to her right.

‘He’s still coming towards us,’ she muttered. ‘He’s alone, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t others about. Keep looking at the shoes. If necessary, I’ll make the first move.’

Gwen said nothing, but gripped her umbrella tightly. It was all she could do not to turn and stare at the oncoming follower. She forced herself to focus on the slingbacks and kitten heels on display. A man’s footsteps approached, then stopped next to them.

‘Excuse me, ladies, I’m looking for a pub,’ he said.

They turned to face him. He had removed his cap, revealing a shock of brown hair sticking out in different directions.

‘There are plenty about,’ said Iris.

‘I mean, a particular pub,’ he said. ‘The Portland Arms. I’m supposed to meet me mate there.’

‘I know the place,’ said Gwen. ‘It’s about a twenty-minute walk from here. Take a right on Hall, then keep going until you reach St John’s Wood High Street, and then another right. It’s on the corner across from the gardens.’

‘Thanks, miss,’ he said. ‘Would the two of you fancy joining us for a pint? Timmy’s a good lad. I can vouch for him.’

‘Sorry, we have a prior engagement,’ said Iris smoothly.

‘Well, can’t blame a fellow for asking,’ he said with a grin. ‘This is a nice part of town. I’ve only been here once before. Friendly little place called the Heroes of Alma. They do a decent shandy there, if you’re ever interested.’

‘We’ll have to check it out sometime,’ said Iris. ‘Thanks for the recommendation. Enjoy your evening.’

‘Ta,’ he said, replacing his cap and moving on.

‘What just happened?’ asked Gwen as they watched him disappear around a corner.

‘Contact has been made,’ said Iris. ‘Shall we go?’

‘Go? Go where?’

‘To the Heroes of Alma, of course.’

She resumed walking up Edgware. Gwen, confused, caught up to her.

‘I was given “shandy” as a code word,’ explained Iris as they turned onto Elgin.

‘When?’