Page 59 of The Love Letter

‘Square packages, wrapped in brown paper.’

‘Really? What do you think was inside them?’

‘I have no idea. Not that I didn’t try to guess.’ William flicked his ash into the ashtray and flashed her a smile, his eyes disappearing further into his pouchy face.

Zoe bit her lip. ‘Do you think he was involved in something illegal?’

‘Could have been, but Michael never struck me as the kind of man to be mixed up in anything criminal. He was such a gentle man.’

‘So what do you think it was all about?’

‘I suppose . . . well, I always thought it was some kind of a secret love affair.’

‘Between who? Michael and the woman you met?’

‘Perhaps. But I think she was an emissary, just as I was.’

‘You didn’t look inside the packages?’

‘No, although I could have done. I was always a loyal bod, and your grandfather was so generous to me, I couldn’t betray his trust.’

Zoe sipped her coffee, feeling weary but fascinated, whether or not the tale was truth, fiction, or a little of both embellished by the passage of time.

‘Then the next thing that happens is Michael calls me round to his lodgings and says he’s got to go away again. He gives me enough money to make sure I’ll eat well for a good year and suggests that I forget what’s taken place in the past few months, for my own sake. If anyone was to ask me, especially those in authority, I was to say I didn’t know him. Or at least, only in passing.’ William stubbed out his cigarette. ‘And then it’s bon voyage, Michael O’Connell. Literally, my darling, he disappeared off the face of the earth.’

‘You have no idea where he went?’

‘None. Then blow me down, the next time I see Michael O’Connell is a good eighteen months later, and his picture is staring down at me from a theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue under the name “James Harrison”. He’d dyed his hair black, and was sporting a moustache, but I’d have known those blue eyes anywhere.’

Zoe looked at him in amazement. ‘So, you’re saying he disappearedagain, then resurfaced with dark hair, a moustache and another name? William, I have to tell you, I’m finding all this hard to believe.’

‘Well.’ He belched loudly. ‘I swear it’s all true, m’dear. Of course, having seen his picture outside the theatre and knowing it was him, even with an assumed name, I went to the stage door and asked for him. When he saw it was me, he swiped me into his dressing room and closed the door. He told me it would be much, much better for my general well-being if I stayed away from him, that he was someone else now, and that it was dangerous for me to know him from before. So –’ William shrugged – ‘I took him at his word.’

‘Did you ever see him again?’

‘Only from the stalls, m’dear. I wrote to him a couple of times but the letters were never answered. Got an envelope sent to me every birthday, mind you, with a wad of cash inside it. No note, but I knew it was from him. So, there you are. The strange tale of your beloved grandfather in his early years, never before repeated by these lips. Now he’s no longer with us, I hardly think it matters any more. And you may well be able to investigate further, if it pleases you to do so.’ William scratched his ear. ‘I’m trying to remember the name of the young lady I met all those times in front of Swan and Edgar. She told me once. Daisy . . . ? No. Violet . . . I’m sure it was a flower . . .’

‘Lily? Rose?’ suggested Zoe.

A smile crossed his face. ‘By golly, you’re right! It was Rose!’

‘And you have absolutely no idea who she was?’

‘Can’t betray all his secrets, y’know.’ William tapped his nose. ‘I had an idea all right, but perhaps it’s best that remains in the grave with him.’

‘I’m going to have to go up to the attic in his house in Dorset where he kept all his memorabilia, and sift through it. See if I can find anything relating to what you’ve told me.’

‘I doubt you will, m’dear. If it’s been covered up for this long, strikes me we’ll never know the truth. Still, makes for an interesting story over supper,’ he smiled at her.

‘Yes.’ Zoe stifled a yawn and looked at her watch. ‘William, I think I must go to bed. I’ve an early call tomorrow. Thank you so much for telling me all this. I’ll let you know if I turn anything up.’

‘You do that, Zoe.’ William watched her as she stood. He caught her hand and squeezed it. ‘You’re so like him when he was young, m’dear. I was watching you this afternoon and you have the same gift. You’re going to be very famous one day, and make your grandfather proud.’

Tears came to Zoe’s eyes. ‘Thanks, William,’ she murmured and walked out of the bar.

16

Joanna had spent a miserable three days on Pets and Gardens, and an uncomfortable two nights sleeping in a makeshift pile of blankets and cushions on the floor of her bedroom, because the delivery of the new bed had not yet materialised. Tonight, she was meeting Marcus for dinner, and just the thought of having a soft, comfortable bed beneath her might actually be enough to tempt her into staying with him for the night. She pulled on her well-worn and only LBD and teamed it with a fitted cardigan and slip-on shoes. Then she added some mascara to her lashes, a little blusher and some lipstick. And, with her long hair still damp from the shower, set off for the bus stop.