CHAPTER NINE

Ann left just after lunch. She took with her a small overnight
case, and as we walked down the garage, I spotted Berry
looking at her out of the corners of his eyes as he topped up the radiator of his car.

I made no move to introduce him, and as we passed, he
deliberately turned his back on us.

We paused on the pavement just outside the garage.
“I’ll be back about eleven tomorrow, Harry,” Ann said,
keeping her voice low. “You will be all right?”
I forced a laugh.

“Of course I will. I expect Bill will be over some time this afternoon. We’re almost sure to go to the club.”

“All right, darling. Then I’ll get off.” She kissed me and
gave me a worried little smile.
“So long, and remember me to your mother.”
“Good-bye, Harry.”

I stood in the doorway and watched her out of sight then
I started back to the office.
Berry swung round and eyed me with a jocular grin.
“Going to be a bachelor tonight?”
I liked him even less in this mood.

“That’s right. She’s going to see her mother.”
“Sometimes mothers-in-law have their uses,” he said,
and winked. “Well, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

I went on towards the office, feeling hot and angry. I shut
myself in the office, lit a cigarette and wiped my damp hands on my handkerchief.

I sat hesitating for several minutes, then I reached out and pulled the telephone towards me. I dialled Gloria’s number. As I listened to the ringing tone, my heart bumped unevenly. I sat listening for over a minute before I decided she must be out. With a feeling of intense irritation I dropped the receiver back on its cradle.

I tried to get her four times during the afternoon, but each
time the telephone remained unanswered.

As I was about to try for the fifth time, a knock came on
the door and it was pushed open.
I looked up sharply.

Bill stood in the doorway, his red face wreathed in
smiles.
“What-cheer, Harry; thought I’d look in. It’s our night out
tonight, isn’t it?”
I wasn’t expecting him, and for a moment I was taken
aback. My mind worked swiftly. The last thing I wanted to do
was to go to the club with Bill, but I knew if I didn’t go, Ann would hear about it.
“That’s right.” I pushed back my chair. “Same time?”
I saw a look of relief jump into his eyes.

“Why not? I’ll pick you up here about seven. Well have a
bit of supper before we go to the club.”
“Suits me.”
We were both embarrassed and uneasy. Bill took refuge
in offering me a cigarette. I lit one and then his.

“No hard feelings, Harry?”
“Don’t be an ape. I asked for it and I got it.”
“I shouldn’t have done it all the same. Okay, let’s forget
it. I just looked in to see if tonight was still on. I’ve got to get back. See you at seven.”
I heard a sound at the door and turned. Berry was
standing in the doorway, his grey cold eyes on Bill.
“Got a match? I seem to have used my last one.”

Bill handed over his box of matches. I noticed he was
looking intently at Berry.
“This is Mr. Berry,” I said. “He’s to do with the radio firm I was telling you about. Mr. Yates.”

Berry thrust out his hand.
“Glad to know you,” he said, smiling expansively. “You
two boys going to paint the town red tonight?”
“That’s the idea,” Bill said.
“I’ve seen you across the road, haven’t I? Aren’t you a
guard or something?”
Bill’s shrewd eyes twitched.
“That’s right: just got appointed.”
“Like it?”
“It’s all right.”
“Don’t get much chance for any action I bet.”
“That’s a fact.”
Berry leaned against the doorway.

“What happens if you do happen to run into trouble? You
boys aren’t allowed to carry arms, are you?”
Bill grinned.
“You bet we are. I’ve got a machine-gun, a box of
grenades and a couple of automatic rifles. Anyone who starts messing about with me will know all about it.”

“Aw, stop kidding,” Berry said and laughed. “I hear you
take nothing with you except a club and a prayer.”

I stood aside, listening to all this, certain now that my
suspicions were right. Why should Berry have toned the
conversation to this subject unless he was after information?

“Don’t believe all you hear,” Bill said good humouredly.
“We can look after ourselves all right. We have a surprise for any hold-up thug.”

“I don’t know why you aren’t equipped with armoured
cars like they have in the States. They carry guns over there, and if they have to, they shoot.”
“So do their cops,” Bill returned. “Our cops don’t carry
guns, but we’ve got a lot less crime here than they have. Work
it out for yourself.” He turned to me. “Well, so long, Harry, see you at seven.”
“If you two boys haven’t anything special to do tonight,”
Berry put in quickly, “why don’t you come along to my place?

I’m throwing a little party. Nothing special; a few girls, a few drinks, a bit of fun. What do you say?”
“No, thanks,” I said before Bill could speak. “We’re fixed
up for tonight. Thanks all the same.”
Berry lifted his shoulders.

“Well, if you change your mind, it’s 3a Queen’s Avenue:
top flat. Look in any time.” He flicked ash on the floor before
adding, “Ed’ll be there, and so will Gloria.”
I felt Bill look at me.
“Sorry; we can’t make it tonight.”
“I’ve got to move,” Bill said. “Be seeing you.”
He nodded to Berry and walked quickly back to the
sorting office.

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