by CJ Carver
‘With everything that’s going on over there,’ Dan said cautiously, ‘won’t I attract undue attention?’
‘Sanctions may be in place but British businessmen are still moving in and out of the country. Not very many, certainly, but you shouldn’t stand out.’
Dan checked the mobile phone and saw it had a list of contacts and a history of texts and emails.
‘Your cover address is in London,’ Bernard told him. ‘Someone will vouch for you if enquiries are made. We’ve allocated you a retired officer in Ealing, Bob Stevens, who will cover the majority of issues but if things get sticky, he can bring in backup.’
Next came a driving licence and two credit cards. ‘Try not to spend too much,’ Bernard told him. ‘And please bring back as many receipts as you can. Our accounts department will be eternally grateful.’
Dan turned the cards over in his hands. ‘I don’t speak Russian.’
Bernard sent him a sideways look and for a moment Dan thought he might demur but all he said was, ‘Nor do most visitors.’
Something inside Dan quickened. Had he ever spoken Russian? His French wasn’t bad, and nor was his Spanish, but what about other languages? Had they been consigned to the dustbin of his derelict memory?
Bernard didn’t seem to sense Dan’s sudden tension. He said, ‘Lynx says they’ll be in the lobby bar of the Radisson Royal Hotel at ten o’clock tonight. They will approach you with the words, “Have you visited St Clement’s Church?” You will respond saying, “Not yet, but I have heard it is very beautiful.” ’
Dan stared.
‘And before you go, I’d like to agree on some basic code words. Since you’re meeting Lynx we thought Mountain Lion appropriate for yourself. If all is well, say it’s meant to be sunny later. If you’re injured or ill, it looks as though it’s going to cloud over soon.’
As Bernard ran through more code words, a tingle started at the top of Dan’s head and spread through his body. Every object in the room took on a harder, brighter edge. His hearing was amplified. He felt a rush of energy, close to euphoria and knew this was why he’d been addicted to his old job.
He closed his eyes and took a breath.
‘Jenny’s going to kill me,’ he murmured.
CHAPTER TWO
‘You didn’t think to ask me first?’ Jenny’s eyes crackled with blue fire. ‘We were supposed to spend the day together. Walk with Aimee and picnic at Pentwyn. She hasn’t seen you for ten days, Dan. She’s been so excited and you just throw it all away because Bernard asks you to.’
‘I would never give up time with Aimee willingly. You know me better than that. It’s a matter of—’
‘And don’t you dare say the words national security,’ she spat.
He held up both hands. ‘Sorry.’
‘Christ.’ She put a shaking hand to her forehead. ‘It’s just like the old days. You putting your job first. Vanishing God knows where for God knows how long. Leaving your family behind to sit around wondering when you’ll return, and in what kind of state. I thought all that was behind us.’
‘It is,’ he said. ‘I don’t work for MI5 any more.’
‘But when Bernard clicks his fingers you jump.’
‘He’s the Director General, Jenny.’ He tried to keep his tone level. ‘Not some middle manager. He wouldn’t ask unless it was absolutely necessary.’
They’d shut themselves in the utility room to prevent Aimee overhearing and now the dryer kicked in with a rumble. Jeans and socks, pants and shirts tumbled. It used to drive him crazy that she used the dryer on a sunny day, when the washing could be hung outside to save electricity, but now he wasn’t living here, she could do as she liked.
‘It’s too cold outside,’ she said defensively. She was looking at him, looking at the washing. ‘It’ll freeze solid on the line.’
‘You’re probably right.’ He wasn’t going to argue.
Long silence. He tried not to look at his watch, to gauge when he should leave for the airport. Time was tight, but he didn’t want to leave Jenny on a sour note. Desperately, he tried to think of a way to salvage the situation.
‘I’ll come down next weekend,’ he said. ‘Stay Saturday night at the pub. Take you both out for Sunday lunch.’
‘We’re with Granny and Grandpa then.’
‘I thought they were coming over tomorrow.’
‘So?’ Her gaze turned combative. ‘Or aren’t they allowed to see their granddaughter two weekends on the trot?’
‘Of course they are.’
He ran a hand over his head, looking at his wife and wishing he could find the right words to cajole her into a better mood. What to say? He studied her silky sheets of blond hair that he loved gently tucking behind her ears. The lush mouth that he loved kissing. Her high breasts and narrow waist. She was as beautiful as when they’d first met and although he still loved her with an aching passion that sometimes shook him to his core, he’d felt his only choice was to move out to give them both some space. Jenny had lied to him about how he’d lost his memory, and even though he could understand her reasons, he had yet to forgive her.
‘What were you going to tell me?’ he asked. ‘That you couldn’t say over the phone?’
Her chin lifted. ‘It doesn’t matter.’
‘Come on, Jenny. You said it was important.’
She gave him a cold look. ‘It can wait.’
Realising she wouldn’t tell him if his clothes were on fire in her current mood, he let it drop.
‘I didn’t mean this to happen.’ He spread his hands.
The cold look remained. ‘I’ll leave it to you to explain to Aimee why you’re leaving when you’ve only just arrived.’
Jenny opened the door. She was about to step into the kitchen when she fell back with a little shriek.
Instantly he was in front of her, shielding her with his body. ‘What is it?’
‘The . . . your . . .’ She took a breath and pointed.
The Rottweiler was flopped on the kitchen floor. She was looking at them, ears pricked, her amber eyes unblinking.
‘Dog,’ said Jenny. She was holding her hand against her heart. ‘I forgot it was here.’
‘Poppy’s a she,’ Dan said.
At the sound of her name the dog scrambled up and ambled over, her stumpy tail ticking from side to side in a happy wag. He’d rescued her from the RSPCA last month, where she was about to be put down. Few people wanted to adopt large breeds, let alone one that people perceived to be dangerous, and Dan hadn’t been able to turn his back on her. Now he stroked Poppy’s broad head and she leaned against him, emitting a throaty purr.
Dan looked at Jenny. Then down at the dog. He said, ‘While I’m away, I was wondering . . .’
‘No, Dan.’ Jenny pushed past him. ‘I am not having that thing stay here.’
‘But Aimee loves her.’
‘And that makes it OK? I don’t think so.’
He gave Poppy another scratch before glancing at his watch. He had just five minutes left to annoy the other woman in his life.
Aimee was sprawled on her bed with a computer on her lap. She was wearing jeans and a bobbly sweater and her face was scrunched into an expression that Dan knew meant she was worried.
‘Sweet pea,’ Dan said, ‘we’ve hit a problem.’
She pointed at her laptop screen. ‘Daddy, it says it could happen in weeks.’
The screen said, in big black letters, HOW MANY DAYS APART EQUALS A LEGAL SEPARATION? Below, in smaller type, Divorce in weeks from £37.
‘Aimee . . .’ His voice was warning. She knew very well she wasn’t allowed to go online unsupervised.
‘It’s not live, Daddy,’ she said. ‘It’s what Tara sent me. She copied and pasted it.’
Aimee’s best friend. Supposedly.
Dan sat on the bed and pulled her into a hug. ‘We’re not getting divorced. If we were, we’d tell you straight away. Remember what we said?’
Aimee stared at h
im, eyes wide. She’d stuck her thumb in her mouth, a sure indication she was feeling insecure.
‘Mummy and Daddy weren’t happy living together and we decided that it was best to live apart for a while.’ He repeated what he and Jenny had been saying since he’d moved out. ‘We both still love you very much and we’ll always be your Mummy and Daddy.’
She unplugged her thumb. ‘Why can’t you come home?’
‘We’re trying to work out our problems.’ He sidestepped the question, not wanting to give her false hope. ‘Any decisions we make will have an effect on you so we’ll always talk to you about what’s going to happen. We won’t do anything without discussing it with you first.’
He’d made a pact with Jenny to try not to say and do things that might make Aimee feel scared or confused. The best way they’d found was to always give her advance warning or an explanation of anything that was going to happen. When Aimee was properly prepared, she seemed to cope better with what was to come and without losing confidence and trust in them. So far, it seemed to be working OK. No thanks to her so-called buddy Tara.
‘Anything else worrying you?’
She looked up at him. She’d just turned seven and had the fine bones and fair silken hair of her mother. She’d inherited Jenny’s eyes as well, the same piercing blue that made his heart turn over every time.
‘So what’s the problem?’ she said.
‘There’s been a change of plan.’
She stiffened and pushed herself away. ‘You can’t stay?’
‘I’m sorry, sweetheart. Really sorry. But you know that man who turned up this morning?’
Reluctantly, she nodded.
‘I used to work for him. He wants me to do something for him. You know I wouldn’t normally put work first, but it’s really, really important. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.’
‘Can’t I come with you?’
She obviously assumed he was going to London and he didn’t correct her.
‘Maybe next time. We can go to Sea Life and meet some turtles. Oh, and they also have Gentoo penguins. Or so I’ve been told.’
‘It’s open again?’ said Aimee, brightening. Sea Life had been closed over Christmas for refurbishment.
‘Yup.’
‘Can Mummy come too?’
‘If she’d like to.’
Aimee slid off the bed and raced outside. ‘Mummy!’ she yelled. ‘Daddy’s going to take us to Sea Life! They’ve got penguins and fish but they’ve also got turtles, I love turtles . . .’ She pounded down the stairs, streams of chatter following.
In the kitchen, Aimee kept up her running conversation with Poppy, who stood looking at her, head cocked and expression expectant, her tail steadily wagging from side to side. ‘You can go snorkelling with sharks if you want,’ Aimee babbled. ‘But you can’t snorkel because you’re a dog. You’ll have to swim, but then you might not like sharks . . .’
Relieved he’d deflected Aimee’s disappointment, Dan looked across at Jenny. ‘I’d better go,’ he said.
A shadow slid across her eyes, but she nodded. ‘I’ll get Poppy’s water bowl.’
‘Can’t Poppy stay here?’ Aimee said. She looked between Dan and Jenny beseechingly. ‘I’ll walk her, I promise. And feed her. Pleeeeeeease!’ She put her arms around the dog’s neck and buried her face in fur. Poppy’s eyes half shut as she heaved a contented sigh.
Jenny looked at Dan who shrugged his shoulders. It was Jenny’s call but he didn’t want to say so out loud. She would just love it if she was blamed for kicking the dog out.
‘Oh, all right,’ Jenny suddenly relented. ‘The dog can stay.’
Dan blinked. Even Aimee looked amazed. She pulled back and stared at her mother. ‘I thought you didn’t like Poppy.’
‘She’s just a bit big, that’s all.’ Jenny looked defensive.
‘Mummy, you’re brilliant.’ Aimee scampered over to Jenny and hugged her. ‘Thank you! And Poppy says thank you too! Don’t you, Poppy?’
Outside, Dan unloaded the dog’s blanket from the rear of the car. ‘I haven’t got her bed or any food with me.’
‘I can get something in Chepstow later.’
He looked at Jenny. ‘Thanks,’ he said.
As he held her eyes he saw her soften, the anger leaching out of her and making her lips relax and part a little. He saw she’d put on some sort of subtle lipstick – when had she done that? – and belatedly realised she was wearing her best jeans and a delicate cashmere top that only came out on tidier occasions.
‘I’m sorry I went ballistic.’ She gave a rueful smile.
‘It’s OK.’ He smiled cautiously back.
‘I wanted today to be perfect,’ she admitted. ‘To remind you of the good times. And show how good it will be when you come back.’
He knew he should reiterate the words we still have to work out where we go next but he didn’t want to change her mood, which for some reason had lifted.
She stood before him, tall and proud and beautiful. ‘I love you.’ Her words resonated with the truth.
He wanted to say I love you too but it was too soon. He saw the hurt in her eyes when he didn’t speak.
Dan said goodbye to Aimee who was dressing a contented-looking Poppy in Jenny’s wool scarf, and gave her a quick rundown on Poppy’s basic needs. Neither the dog nor his daughter seemed particularly perturbed when he left, which was a relief. He couldn’t have borne a teary departure.
Jenny stood by his car as he climbed inside, started it up. He glanced at the clock on the dashboard. Even without having to find somewhere for the dog to stay he’d still have to put his foot down to make the flight comfortably. Winding down the window, he said, ‘I’ll be back in a couple of days.’
She was biting her lip, looking undecided.
‘Everything OK?’ he asked.
She looked away then back. Gave a nod.
Putting the car into gear he began driving down the track, his mind already racing ahead and planning what he needed to buy at the airport, from a pair of gloves and hat – Moscow would be below freezing at this time of year – to toothbrush and spare socks and underclothes. He was about to change into second gear when he heard Jenny’s shout.
‘Dan! Wait!’
She was running after him.
He rammed his foot on the brake, the tyres squirting gravel as he stopped.
‘What is it?’ He was already halfway out of the car when she ran up to him. Her face was flushed.
‘What I wanted to tell you . . . Well, it’s just that . . .’
She took a breath. ‘You remember the last time we made love?’
Dear God. Not now. He struggled to change mental gears.
‘It was after supper at Candy’s,’ he said. ‘In November.’
She smiled at him, a smile of old that reminded him of when they first met. The smile that made his heart soar.
‘Well, the thing is,’ she said, eyes dancing, ‘I’m pregnant.’
His mouth opened and closed. No sound came out.
‘I thought . . .’ She looked away, suddenly uncertain. ‘Maybe Lucy could be godmother.’
‘Lucy?’ he managed. His mind was reeling.
‘Your police constable friend.’
Dan drove to the airport his mind split in two, one half already striding across the airy foyer at Terminal 5, the other on PC Lucy Davies. Just weeks ago, Lucy had stopped him from making a monumental mistake, for which he was indebted.
As he joined the M25 from the M4, sweeping smoothly south, he decided Lucy would make a great godmother.
CHAPTER THREE
PC Lucy Davies was in the New Collections section of Marks and Spencer. Thanks to Stockton being one of the UK’s most deprived areas the collection had to be the smallest on the planet, but despite this drawback it didn’t stop poor old M & S being a magnet for every shoplifter in the district.
‘Are you going to buy that, or just stuff it up your jumper?’ Lucy’s tone was conve
rsational but Sharon leaped a mile. Lucy tried not to smile. She loved surprising potential offenders. Almost as much as she loved nicking them.
‘Just browsing, if you have to know.’ Sharon’s lip curled. She retained her grip on the lace crop top.
Lucy eyed the soft red material edged with beads. Then she looked at Sharon, the woman’s gaunt face, her lank and greasy hair, the shabby clothes a size too large and reeking of stale sweat and cigarettes. Lucy sighed. Sharon would no more wear the garment than fly to the moon.
‘For dress-down Friday at the office?’ Lucy said.
Sharon stared at her. Lucy looked calmly back, her body language open and unthreatening, but inside she was ready. Sharon was known for her volatile temper and Lucy had no intention of getting a black eye.
To her surprise, Sharon stepped forward and lifted the top to Lucy’s face, cocking her head thoughtfully to one side. ‘It really suits you, you know. You’ve got lovely skin. And the colour brings out your eyes. It really does. Makes them zing.’
‘Zing or not, shoplifting is against the law,’ Lucy responded.
Sharon sighed, let her hand drop. ‘It’s pretty,’ she said wistfully.
Lucy wondered if Sharon had ever worn anything that wasn’t second- or third-hand. She came from a family of six and had five children herself, three with different fathers. She had no job, had never had a holiday, and struggled to pay the heating bills.
‘Very pretty,’ Lucy agreed, feeling an uncharacteristic surge of gloom. Would someone like Sharon ever get out of the vicious cycle of poverty? As a kid, Sharon had been a runaway, and now her kids were also runaways and Lucy guessed Sharon’s grandchildren would be doomed to repeat the same miserable behaviour patterns ad infinitum.