Jenny had asked him for the details of his bank account. They could now draw a line under this last aborted transaction of the Angolan Clan. They transferred the million dollars back to him and closed down the IDD account.
When they left, Mme. Aeschiman was sorry to see them go. It was the end of a long relationship. Although, thought Jenny, I think I’d rather prolong that relationship, if possible, than continue to deal with M. Schneider. We’ll see what happens.
Now, in Cointrin as they sat talking, Leticia took out the key to the Ramseyer, Haldemann safety deposit. Charlie’s key, the one with the yellow elastic band. “What should we do about this? And what should we do about the diamonds?”
“Tell me, Leticia. If you could go and get those diamonds, would you do it? Do you really want all that money?”
“Anyone would want that much money, Jenny. But I think it’s very dangerous. We don’t know who has the other key, but they know who has this one. And I’m sure they will want to get it.”
“So there’s nothing we can do. Twelve million dollars of diamonds locked away in the red light district in Geneva and you only have one key. We can’t exactly run a small ad in the newspaper. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens, if anything happens.”
“I don’t want to keep the key, Jenny. I don’t want to keep it in the house. I’m frightened for Emilio that something bad will happen.”
Jenny took the key from her hand. “Then I’ll keep it. You can forget it ever existed. I promise nothing bad will happen to you, nor to Emilio.”
They walked towards the gate for Madrid. The flight was boarding. Leticia put her arms around her. “Take care, Jenny dear. Please come and see us in your house soon. Emilio and I will miss you.” She wiped the tears from her eyes.
“No crying, Leticia, I always want to think of you laughing. In any case I’ll be over often, just wait and see.”
“Jenny.” She paused nervously. “I have something to tell you.”
“I hope it’s something nice?”
“I think so. Patrice called me. He is very sorry about Ray and everything. He sent his best wishes to you and… he invited me to have dinner with him when I get home.”
“And did you accept?”
Leticia looked at her in surprise. “Of course I did, why should I not? I still miss Charlie so much, but I think he would want me to get on with my life. He would have understood.”
Jenny could have bitten her tongue off. Her question reflected the pang of envy that had momentarily stabbed her. This young woman had delightful parents and an adorable little son. Now it seemed, a good looking young banker was setting his cap at her. What have I got? A semi-detached in Ipswich and a West Highland Terrier called Cooper. She pulled herself together. It’s the start of a new life for both of us. She’s just sprinted ahead a little, that’s all.
Leticia was watching her apprehensively, looking for Jenny’s approbation, just as she had always looked for Charlie’s, still unsure of herself in this new episode in her life.
“I think that’s absolutely wonderful. Just make sure that his intentions are honourable, and try to get him to dress down a little. He looks a bit too French, in my opinion.”
Leticia relaxed again and giggled. “I think it’s better than being too Swiss.”
“That’s more like it. We’ve got you laughing again. Goodbye, Leticia, have a safe flight. Give Emilio a big kiss from his Aunt Jenny.”
“You too. Say hello to Cooper for me.” The two women embraced and parted, for the time being.
Leticia waved as she went through the gate to claim her business seat on the Iberia flight to Madrid.
Jenny walked slowly towards her departure gate. She took her purse from her bag and opened the zipped part. She placed Charlie’s key with the yellow elastic band next to Nick’s key with the green band. The key she’d taken from Adam’s jacket in his bathroom at the hotel. Now they were side by side, together, as they should be.
She wasn’t in a hurry, she had plenty of time. She’d paid a speedy boarding supplement on the easyJet flight to Stansted. It had cost her ten pounds extra. Time to change my spending habits, she thought, I can afford it.
THE END
CHRISTOPHER LOWERY is a ‘Geordie’, born in the northeast of England, who graduated in finance and economics after reluctantly giving up career choices in professional golf and rock & roll. He is a real estate and telecoms entrepreneur and has created several successful companies around the world. Chris wrote the Angolan Clan after the Revolution of the Carnations forced him to flee Portugal in 1975. He also writes patents and children’s books and composes music. He and his wife Marjorie live between Geneva and Marbella. They have one daughter, a writer/photographer who is resident in Geneva.
LOOK OUT FOR CHRISTOPHER LOWERY’S
NEXT THRILLER:
The Rwandan Hostage
the sequel to
The Angolan Clan
and the second in the African Diamonds series.
ALSO BY CHRISTOPHER LOWERY:
The House that Jack Built:
A modern fairy tale
(Illustrated)
The second and third books in this
series coming soon:
Captain Jack and Jack and the ET Folk
Visit www.unclechrisproductions.com
for news, humour and stories.
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[African Diamonds 01.0] The Angolan Clan Page 60