Well, dear, I ran a restaurant over in Holborn right through the war, dear. I ought to know my way about. A real big restaurant. I had three girls working for me. Dan was in the navy. But I did all right, I can tell you.
Im sure you did, Mrs Bolt. Ah yes, the war was a difficult time.
We carried on and did our best.
Excuse me, I said, and began to go upstairs. Instantly Mr MacNamara came after me.
Theres a little matter we should discuss, he said.
But shes fixed up, dear. Ever so nice, with us.
Four rooms, kitchen and bath and a telephone, three and a half a week. I came downstairs again. And theres another matter.
Yes. I have, I said. Flo was again looking up into his face. Dand know best, she said. You must talk to Dan.
Ill talk it over with him. But I want you to talk it over with him first, Mrs Boh. Youve got a real head for business. I can see at a glance.
Well, dear, I ran a restaurant over in Holborn right through the war, dear. I ought to know my way about. A real big restaurant. I had three girls working for me. Dan was in the navy. But I did all right, I can tell you.
Im sure you did, Mrs Bolt. Ah yes, the war was a difficult time.
We carried on and did our best.
Excuse me, I said, and began to go upstairs. Instantly Mr MacNamara came after me.
Theres a little matter we should discuss, he said.
But shes fixed up, dear. Ever so nice, with us.
Four rooms, kitchen and bath and a telephone, three and a half a week. I came downstairs again. And theres another matter.
Can we see it now?
Ill take you.
I said to Flo: if I can get it, I will. I really do need more room, you know.
She nodded, her eyes, now thoughtful, on Mr MacNamara.
We two went to the door, and I heard her shrieking as we went out: Rose, Dan. Rose. Dan
You know Miss Jennings?
No, I dont think so.
Youll meet her, he said darkly. You mustnt believe all you hear.
Rose Jennings?
People are not to be trusted. Not since the war.
Now he had me on the pavement, he was thinking out his tactics, while making a pretence at examining his watch. My man wont be in for fifteen minutes. Ill take you to a pub near here. The best pub in London. They have nothing but vintage beers.
That would be nice.
He began walking me fast down the street, into an area that had been laid flat. About five acres of earth had been cleared of rubble, and was waiting for the builders. Nice job, that, said Mr MacNamara, nodding at it. One bomb did the lot. All that damage. Nice work.
We walked past it. Mr MacNamara began sending me furtive glances, sideways.
Know where you are? he asked casually.
I had, because Rose had walked me past here, but I said, No, Ive no idea. His furtiveness cleared into triumph and he said: These bombed areas are confusing. We had now walked three sides of the square, and he hesitated. Its not so far now, he said, and turned to complete the fourth side, which would take us back to our starting point at the bottom of the street the house was in. I walked willingly beside him, feeling him watch me. He was anxious, We had now made the full square, and he said: Now do you know where you are? For a moment I did not answer; and at once a baffled angry look filled his eyes. His body was tense with violence. Nothing was more important to him, just then, than that I should not have seen through his trick.
It seems miles, I said.
Thats because you dont know the ropes, he said, relaxing, the violence all gone. Seen that building before? pointing to a house a couple of hundred yards away from Flos and Dans house.
They all seem alike, I said.
He nodded. Mind you. Ive been thinking, it might not be possible for you to see that flat this evening. But Ill telephone to make sure. He strode into a telephone box, and went through the motions of telephoning. He emerged with a brisk air. My client isnt in, after all.
That seems a pity.
Ill take you for the drink I promised, in any case. He applied a tender pressure to my upper arm; but lost interest in the gesture almost at once; his face was already dark with another pressure.
Im taking you to this pub, he said, because its famous.
We went into a glossy lounge bar, and he said casually to the barman: Ill have two of the usual.
Whats your usual? said the barman.
Im used to service, he began, but the barman had turned away, as if accidentally, to serve someone else. Mr MacNamara took me to a free corner table, and said. This is the best firm in England. Their liquors are all vintage. You know what vintage is?
No, not really.
Delighted, he said: I do. I mix with the best people. Im going to marry the daughter of a member of parliament.
Good for you.
Yes. Her father is a lord.
Rose told me your father was a lord, too, from Ireland.
His body tensed with anger. He narrowed his eyes, and clenched his teeth. Then he controlled himself. The violence in him so strong his whole body quivered as he damped it down. I told you, you shouldnt believe Rose Jennings. She cant tell truth from falsehood. Some people are like that. He thought a moment and came out with: Actually, my real names not MacNamara. Its Ponsonby. I use MacNamara for business. But Im Irish all right. Yes, from the Emerald Isle.
I hope youve managed to get Mrs MacNamara somewhere to sleep tonight.
Well of course shed not really Mrs MacNamara. To tell you the truth, I dont quite know what to do with her. She was going to marry a client of mine. He rang me up this morning hes off to Hong-Kong, on business. He left her in my charge.
Poor girl.
Ive fixed her up for the night in a hotel in Bayswater.
Good.
But perhaps Mrs Bolt can fix her up tomorrow. She said she had a room.
Oh, she did, did she?
Of course its not what Miss Powell is used to. But then these days we take what we can get. Like you, for instance, You could afford much better if you were offered it.
The barman now came over and said: Whatll you have.
Two light ales, said Mr Ponsonby.
When the barman brought the ales, Mr Ponsonby said; I say. Youre not going to serve me that? Im used to the best.
The barman studied him a moment, his good-humoured eyebrows raised. Then he picked up the glasses, set them on the counter, interposed his back between him and Mr Ponsonby, and after whistling a soft tune between his teeth, lifted them round and set them down again.
Thats better, said Mr Ponsonby. He handed the barman silver, and gave him a shilling tip.
Some mothers do ave em, remarked the barman to the air, still whistling, as he returned behind the bar.
Mr Ponsonby was saying to me: I could put you on to a good thing. A hundred nicker. Thats all.
I havent got it, I said.
He examined me for some time, in silence. It was extraordinary how frankly he did this, as if the necessity to do so made him invisible to me; as if he scrutinized me from behind a barricade.
Mr MacNamara, I said. Youre making a mistake about me. I really dont have any money.
This remark seemed to reassure him. Ponsonby, he said, Well, Ill show you you can trust me. He reached his hands into his pockets. From one he brought out military medals, about a dozen of them. From another a packet of papers. Matching one to another on the table he showed me citation after citation for bravery, etc., to Alfred Ponsonby. Among them was the DSO.
I was in the Commandos, he said.
Im not surprised.
Yes, they were the best days of my life. He replaced the medals in one pocket and the papers in the other and said: I keep fit, just in case. Ju-jitsu. Theres nothing like it.
I think its time I got back.
He examined me again. Then he leaned himself forward to me, the surface of his brown eyes glazed with solicitude. I would really like to see you fixed up. I can see you are a little disappointed with me. Oh, dont deny it. I could see, when I telephoned and my client wasnt in. But Ive a special interest in you. His gaze went blank while he searched for words. Then he smiled intimately into my eyes with a brown treacly pressure. Now I want to put something to you. I can get that flat for you tonight just like that! He snapped his fingers. But I must put something down for the landlord. It would cost five pounds and it would be worth it.
I must get back, I said and got up.
Without a change of tone, he said: Ill take you over tomorrow night. Consulted his watch. Eight oclock. And again, narrowing his eyes. No, an appointment at eight. Eight-fifteen. Ill make an appointment.
Good.
To get from the pub back to the house was five minutes walking. He faced towards the house. His face was twisted with conflict. Know where we are?
No.
Smiling with cruelty, he walked me right around the bombed space, watching my face all the time. Anxiety crept into him. At the bottom of the street he hesitated and said: Do you know what Ive just done?
Not an idea.
Half from pleasure at having tricked me, and half from anxiety I might find out, he said: Ive taken you a long way round. You never noticed it. Got to keep your eyes open in this city. But youre all right with me. You can trust me.
I know I can. I said. We were at the front door.
Ill see you tomorrow, he said, tenderly.
I went inside and up the stairs. Rose appeared and said, Are you all right, dear?
I hope so.
I hope so, too. I got ever so worried about you. She took my arm between her hands and gently tugged me into her room. Listen, she said. I feel real bad, what Im doing, but youre my friend now. I must tell you. Flos got all in a state about losing you She giggled, and adjusted her face. Sorry, but it does make me laugh, when Flo sees the pennies slipping through her fingers. Well, because you went out with Bobby Brent, she thinks shell let you the room. But Bobby Brent wants it for his fancy woman. So now shes all torn up, wondering wholl pay the most.
He will, I should think, I said.
You dont know our Bobby.
Is it true he was in the Commandos?
Oh, yes. A real war hero and all. But listen! Ill show you the room and you can see if you like it. She cautiously opened the door and listened. No, Flos too busy quarrelling with Dan to snoop.
Well, Im sorry.
Dont be daft. Theyre in love. Theyve only been married three years, see? When people are in love they quarrel. Dan got real mad about Bobby. She makes him jealous on purpose, see? Then he gets mad and they quarrel and they make it up in bed. See?