I just sit in the
van and look menacing. That’s right up my alley.”
“Congratulations, Bill. What have you got to guard?”
“You mightn’t believe it,” Bill said, grinning, “but every so
often we carry valuables in these ‘ere vans, and when we do, yours truly in the future will look after the driver and see no one gets the wrong ideas about the stuff. It’s a pretty cushy job, come to that; a lot better than what I’ve been doing.”
“Not so cushy if there’s a hold-up.”
“I wouldn’t mind a little excitement. Remember the old
days? Remember that time when you and me . . .”
One of the postmen bawled from across the road, “Hey,
Bill! What do you think you’re doing? Come on and get stuck
into it.”
Bill’s face clouded.
“The whole blooming lot’s jealous of me now. Well, if
these vans are going to get off tonight, I’d better do something about it. No one else but me does any work. Be seeing you, Harry.”
He went back to the van.
When I returned to my office I found Ann there. She had
changed into a frock and had brushed her hair. The frock was
one she had made. She was clever with her needle. I don’t
know how I would have managed if she hadn’t been able to
make all her clothes.
“Where did the perfume come from, Harry?”
I felt myself change colour. Ann’s eyes looked
questioningly at me; surprise showing on her face.
“Perfume? I don’t smell anything. Perhaps—possibly
Miss Selby had perfume. I didn’t notice it. I meant to tell you, Ann.
You remember the girl I gave a lift to the other night: the one who makes lingerie? She came in just now and wanted to garage her car here. She’s paying seven ten a month. I thought it would be a good idea.”
“That’s wonderful !” Ann’s face brightened. “You know,
Harry, we’ve lots of room here. Couldn’t -we get other people
to garage their cars here?”
I looked sharply at her.
“It’s not a lock-up. Most people want lock-ups.”
“Well, she didn’t.”
“She’s not fussy. Most people want them.”
I lit a cigarette awl sat on the edge of the desk.
“Bit of luck really that I gave her a lift.” I tried to be casual but it didn’t come off. “Give the place a bit of tone to have a Jaguar here.”
Ann looked at me then stared down at the floor.
“Yes.”
We sat for a long moment in silence while I wracked my
brains to think of something to relieve the sudden tension. ”
“By the way, Bill’s got promotion. They’ve made him a
guard.”
“Have they? Is that good? What does he have to do?”
“Sit with the driver and keep off bandits.” I grinned. “Bill
says it’s a cushy job. Trust him to find himself something
cushy.”
“It sounds rather dangerous.”
“I don’t know. We haven’t had a mail robbery for years as
far as I can remember.”
“Harry . . .”
I looked at her.
“I’ve been making a list of the outstanding bills.”
“Have you? Bad?”
She nodded.
“Eighty-nine pounds.”
I whistled.
“It can’t be as much as that.”
“It is, Harry. I’ve put that five pounds in the petty cash
box. We must be sensible. We’ll want every penny we can
scrape up.”
“How about the monthly accounts? What do they look
like?”
“If they all pay their bills it’ll be worth about fifty pounds, a little more perhaps. We shouldn’t have bought all that new oil.
We’re not selling it.”
“That d@mned traveller! He’d talk a rat into buying
poison. Well, they’ll have to wait for their money.”
“I was wondering. If you got rid of Tim, couldn’t I take
over the pumps?”
“You? Now look, Ann, your place is running the home.
You do enough as it is.
Besides, you don’t know anything about car engines. No, that’s not the solution. We can’t afford to be without Tim. I’ve got to stop waiting for trade and do something about it. I’ve got to get an idea.”
Her brown eyes became suddenly alert
“What sort of idea, Harry?”
“I don’t know. I’ll have to think about it.”
We sat in silence for a while, then she said, “Do you
really mind me wearing those slacks? There’s still a lot of life in them, and I’ve got to think of my stockings.”
“No, I don’t mind. Please yourself.” I spoke impatiently
because I was thinking what Gloria had said: I must think
about it. I might have an idea for you.
“Then I’ll go on wearing them.”
I scarcely heard her.
Could Gloria find me something? She might put something in my way. She might know the right people. She might even have influence.
“Harry . . .”
I looked up, frowning.
“What is it?”
“Is Miss Selby smart? Does she wear good clothes?”
I felt a little chill run up my spine. I looked at her and she
looked at me, and my eyes gave ground.
“I don’t know. I didn’t notice. Why?”
“I just wondered.” Ann’s Voice sounded suddenly tired,
“I’ll go up and get the supper ready.”
I sat motionless, listening to her footfalls as she climbed
the stairs. I stared down at my clenched fists, and hated
myself.
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