A Servant of the Company

by Alan Cooke

  ‘Hi Anthea, got your message and just returning the call. Lovely to hear from you, sorry I wasn’t available last night, I was working unfortunately. How are things with you?’ They had been close friends for years, but once Sue had moved away she hardly ever came home. Her work and a new boyfriend proved too strong an attachment for her to return and see family and friends. She had been completely wrapped up in her new life but getting Anthea’s call had made her realise that there was another life away from work. One which she had always enjoyed and now regretted neglecting.

  Hearing her friend again after so long reminded Anthea of the bond she had with Sue, one built up from days at primary school. She had been disappointed when Sue appeared to have cut herself off from her home town but hearing her voice, realised she was the same old Sue.

  ‘Great to hear you Sue, don’t tell me you’re acquiring a Manchester accent. It’s been ages since I saw you, and I hate to say it but I’ve missed you. Our friendship goes back a long way.’ She tried not to sound disapproving and quickly added, ‘I’d love to see you again, have you a spare bed I could use if I come up to Manchester? To tell you the truth I need to talk to someone, and you are the only person in the world I’d trust, apart from my parents. And my problem isn’t for their ears.’ She hoped she hadn’t rushed her request, but that was how she felt. The problem had to be solved, and quickly.

  ‘I’m so sorry that I haven’t been in touch Anthea, when I heard your message this morning it made me realise what a selfish cow I’ve been. I do apologise and promise that I will never allow our friendship to drift apart again. Do you forgive me?’ Sue’s voice expressed the anguish she felt for her lack of thought for other people and she hoped that the link she had broken could be mended.

  It was a chastened Sue that Anthea was hearing, and the person she had known and loved had just returned. ‘Sue we are friends, no matter what. There’s nothing to forgive. We have been out of touch for a while that’s all, it could well have been me who had moved off to pastures new.’ She felt sorry for putting her friend in this embarrassing situation, but it had to be done, if she hadn’t they might never have seen each other again. She also wanted Sue’s help.

  ‘Thank you Anthea, I do hope you forgive me and my selfish ways. I promise they will be banished forever. Now about you coming here, I do have a spare room and you are welcome anytime, but I must warn you there will be three of us for breakfast. I’m sharing with my future husband, at least I hope that’s what he is although he hasn’t popped the question yet. How about you, I know you dropped that Ray fellow. He just wasn’t your type, you can do much better than him.’

  ‘Well, I was single until last week, and now I’ve found the one. That’s one of the reasons I was ringing you for your advice on my problems. You were always so sensible when it came to the opposite sex.’

  Oh! Anthea, you’re not are you?’ Sue was now concerned for her friend and just hoped that the news she was going to hear didn’t concern the patter of tiny feet.

  ‘Not what?’ Anthea wondered what on earth Sue as talking about. Had she misheard something she had said to her, it was a funny question.

  Sue was now confused, had she put her foot in it jumping to conclusions. ‘I’m being very silly Anthea, I thought for one brief moment that you might have been pregnant. Stupidity is my middle name I’m afraid.’

  Her laughter echoed down the telephone and she too wondered how the conversation could have been misconstrued. ‘No silly, it’s not that. We haven’t even done it yet. He’s a very new boyfriend. New but nice. You would approve I know, but there is a problem and that’s why I want to come to Manchester. Another reason is to see you and hear all your news. Remember we used to talk for hours, and once we had gone home, one of us would ring the other and the whole thing would start again. One thing is for certain, we both really know how to talk.’ She heard Sue laughing and enjoyed the sound, the lost years of friendship fast disappearing.

  ‘Now Anthea, let’s get down to business, when would you like to come. You are welcome anytime but my work is a bit haywire at the moment, and I’m away on a course for two weeks starting next week. It will be fine for the week I get back but I may not always be available so you will have to be patient while you are here.’ It wasn’t as though she had to put in all the hours that she did, it was work she loved and was proving very good at.

  ‘That timing would be perfect, it will give me time to sweet talk Dad into giving me some well deserved holidays. If you could put up with me for three or four days, I’m sure two things could possibly happen. First I could solve the problem I think I’ve got, and second, we might talk each other to death.’ It was her friend’s turn to laugh which started Anthea off.

  ‘I’m just so pleased we are back as the same old friends that we were, and I will do all I can to give you help with your problems, you haven’t told me what they are yet but it’s probably better to wait until you get here, then the talking can really start.’ Why had she kept putting off contacting Anthea, she had let it go on for so long until it was almost too late. Fortunately Anthea had called her, and Sue could tell she didn’t bear grudges. Her selfishness had been forgiven.

  ‘Is it safe to bring my car, it would make it a lot easier. As you know, I never travel light.’ Anthea thought of all the things she considered essential for a four day break, yes the car would be best if there were safe parking facilities.

  ‘I know there is a poor reputation in this neck of the woods but the crime rate is going down and where we are it’s quite civilised. You should be O.K. Like anywhere else, just don’t leave things on show, they might be too tempting for the local villains. Don’t believe all you read in the papers, there are some lovely places around here, and most of the people are very friendly. Now, I’ve just been checking my diary as we were talking, on Friday the twenty fourth I will be home by five o’clock. I’ll drop you a note with a map of how to get here. It’s fairly straightforward, but just in case there are any delays getting home, I’ll include my mobile number and you can track me down. It’s unlikely, but you never know what might turn up. I don’t want you knocking on my door and finding no one home.’

  It was a much calmer girl who finally put down the telephone. Taking the first step towards looking after Steve’s interests, she had in the process rekindled the friendship she thought she had lost. Tonight she would sleep. Tomorrow she would think through just what she expected to achieve and how to achieve it. There was a certainty in her mind that her visit would be vital for both Steve and herself in the long term, but she must tread very carefully or she might just unsettle him and undermine his new found confidence.

  Heading for the kitchen to prepare her meal, she was interrupted by the telephone ringing. ‘Steve,’ she said, her mind still thinking of the conversation she had been having with Sue.

  Picking up the telephone she heard his voice and replied, ‘I thought it would be you. I’ve been talking to an old friend for the last I don’t know how long, so I hope you haven’t been trying to get me.’ Settling on the sofa, she picked up a cushion and cuddled it close to her. Her Steve substitute.

  ‘I was getting worried, I thought it must be all those local lads pursuing you once your man is out of the way.’ He tried to sound serious but it didn’t work, and soon he was laughing. ‘I believe I’m getting impatient in my old age, waiting to talk to you has been a nightmare. You should see all the nails I’ve chewed just getting the engaged tone every time I rang. How are you my love, don’t take any notice of an old man’s rantings.’ Tonight he would out talk her, it was the only way he could avoid giving answers to her questions which he knew would come. ‘The weather has been typical Manchester today, it hasn’t stopped raining. I’ve hardly stepped outside the hotel door. Tomorrow there’s a better forecast so I have some work to do, just basic stuff, nothing interesting yet. That could take some time, so I’ll just continue to settle in. What have you been up to?’ He had put up a sound defence against awkw
ard questions and could now talk generalities.

  ‘Oh, just the same old working day, then the chat with my old friend Sue. I think I told you about her but I know you don’t always listen once I get going. She was my best friend for years until she left the area then we seemed to lose touch with each other. You would like her, she’s very attractive and has a great sense of humour. In case you get any ideas, she also has a man in her life.’ She paused, should she tell him about her proposed trip and the fact that Sue lived in Manchester. The answer was no, she would think things through carefully first and then tell him, leaving it until the day before she was due to travel. The conversation switched to their growing feelings for each other and the longing for the time to pass so they could be together, and ended with each of them saying ‘I love you’ before ending the call.

  It was a relief to Steve that things had gone so well. No questions, just a lovely chat and the reassurance that his love for Anthea was reciprocated. He would be starting work properly tomorrow and was not looking forward to the tasks he had been set in his briefing, so decided that he would avoid talking to Anthea for a few days. It would relieve the tension he felt having to lie to her. A solution to the problem would be found eventually, but at this stage he had no idea how or when.

  Feelings of guilt swept through Anthea too. She had been less than honest with Steve but considered her approach to be the right one. ‘If only, if only, if only,’ she repeated to herself, but didn’t know the all of answers to the problem she had created for herself. ‘You are getting somewhere even if it’s only a start, now have some supper and the early night you’ve been promising yourself then you’ll be fresh for tomorrow.’ This was Anthea’s way of accepting the decisions she had made so far. It was only the beginning, but she was sure that things would escalate quickly once she settled into her temporary headquarters in Manchester. She would love to be wrong in her assessment of Steve’s employer but the doubts were too great for her not to investigate.

  CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

  The dark cloud was above him again, but how could he get out from under it? Steve looked out of the window of his rented terraced house onto a row of similar houses on the opposite side of the street. ‘God this is worse than home, and I thought that was as bad as it gets.’ The house had not been lived in for some time and there was a smell of damp in every room, but this was the house he had been told to rent.

  His next job had been to find the one member of a gang who had survived the bombing in the next street. His instructions were clear, and he would follow them to the letter. For the time being anyway. It hadn’t taken long to find his target. There were pubs on the corner of many streets in the vicinity of the bomb site and he was rewarded in the first one he tried. There were only four customers in the bar at five thirty and they were playing dominoes, oblivious of his presence. He had settled himself at the bar and ordered a drink from the barmaid.

  ‘You’re not from round here then?’ It was not often a stranger came into the pub in the evening, lunchtime was different when men working in the area would come in for a pint and a pie. ‘Working here are you?’ Betty liked to know who was who, what they did and who they were sleeping with. Armed with this information, she would embellish it, then regale and amuse her friends with stories made up from the things she had heard.

  Don’t give information of any sort to anyone. Steve had forgotten how many times he had been warned by the company that this was commandment number one. He smiled at the barmaid. ‘Just passing, heard about the bombing and thought I’d take a look. Pretty disastrous if you ask me. Were there many survivors?’ Just get her talking before the crowds come in and she’s too busy. That was his plan.

  This was her moment, she had the stories and she had a captive audience. ‘You wouldn’t believe it but most of those killed were from a local gang.’ She looked around as though checking that no-one could hear her, ‘Drugs you know. Oh yes, it was a drugs killing alright, I know the sister of one of them that was killed. She didn’t like him you know, and him being her own brother. Well, her son had killed himself with a drugs overdose and that was it for her. Not that the son was up to much. I heard that.’ Before she could continue Steve interrupted.

  ‘Well, I didn’t know it was over drugs. Were all of the gang killed?’ He played the wide eyed out of towner eagerly seeking inside information from someone who was in the know. He knew her type, she would talk forever and probably make a few things up as she went along. Facts were the things he needed, facts with which he could move on to the next phase of his briefing. He held his breath wondering if a straight answer was forthcoming.

  Her elbows were on the counter, chin resting in her cupped hands. ‘The things I could tell you about him, father an utter waster, mother on the game soon after he was born. I could tell you some right stories about him, oh yes, believe me.’

  ‘Do you know, you would have made a great newspaper reporter? Did you ever think of doing that, you have the skills to collate knowledge and not everyone can do that?’ A bit of flattery might get him what he wanted. ‘This bloke, the one that survived, was he the leader?’ He looked eagerly at the barmaid, as an eager student looked at a teacher with all the answers.

  She laughed out loud ‘Who Bugs, the leader, don’t make me laugh. He’s a right bloody idiot if you ask me.’ She laughed again. ‘Bugs, the leader, Christ Almighty. When he was ten, do you know he couldn’t read, not a word. He’s not moved on much from there as far as I know.’ She sighed, laden down with all her knowledge of the local scene.

  ‘Why Bugs, I mean why is he called Bugs? It seems a strange name to call anyone.’ He picked up his glass and looking over the top of it, sipped slowly waiting for information. Guide her Steve or she will be off telling you about her Grandmother’s dog twice removed.

  ‘Bugs Bunny, you know the cartoon rabbit. Well he looks like him with those big buck teeth.’ He’s always been called Bugs. Even his Mother called him Bugs. She didn’t like him either. Do you know...’ Once again Steve interrupted before she could get into full cry about the childhood of Bugs.

  ‘He must have had another name, his surname wasn’t Bunny was it?’ He grinned at her when he saw her smiling at his poor joke.

  Betty was in her element, she had the stories and there was someone to listen and appreciate them. ‘No, no it’s Drinkwater. Funny name for someone who’s been at the ale since he were a lad, don’t you think?’ Moving closer to Steve she half whispered, ‘His sister tells me he’s scared shitless in case they find out where he is. So he moved into the Salvation Army hostel until things died down. Apparently he thinks God’s up there with the Sally Ann’s and no-one would touch him while he stays under their roof. I told you he were half baked.’ Pursing her lips, she looked at her audience of one indicating a due sense of self righteousness.

  He needed a little more information and then would make his escape when the first opportunity arose. ‘Does he look as stupid as he sounds, you’ve painted a picture of him in my mind. Tell me if I’m right. Ginger, buck teeth, thin as a stick, walks with a stoop but is six feet two tall. How’s that?’ Steve had made up the whole thing, she would correct him in fine detail.

  The barmaid leaned backwards hands in her hips. Now you are not too far out, except he’s a small weasel. Not six feet two. More like five feet two, but maybe just a bit taller. Apart from that, you’re dead right. Amazing really, to get that close just with what I’ve told you.’

  He quickly cut in to stall another monologue, ‘Not really, you describe people so well. I said you should be a reporter didn’t I?’ The sound of the pub door opening made him turn to see two men walking towards the bar. ‘It looks like you’ve got customers, I’d better be on my way and leave you to it. Thanks for the chat, it’s been good talking to you. Might see you again.’ He turned towards the door, and giving her a wave was soon outside and heading back to his temporary home feeling pleased with the information he had gathered. He knew where his target was temp
orarily lodging, and would recognise him instantly. It was unlikely there would be a Bugs look-alike staying at the hostel. Tomorrow he would track him down and have a heart to heart chat, if it meant bringing Bugs near to being a heart attack victim, Steve was unconcerned.

  He had been authorised to spend five hundred pounds to make the flat habitable. Steve had reckoned five thousand pounds would have been nearer the mark but settled on two pairs of curtains, a microwave, crockery and cutlery for one, a camp bed and sleeping bag. The amount spent on cleaning equipment and materials was probably the highest spend. It would never be reasonable while he was here, but the area he was using would be clean. Whatever the Company said, it was not in his mind that he would spend much time here, in Manchester or in the Company for that matter. The tasks set him were time consuming and if he was not careful, potentially dangerous. So far he had been unable to see a way out, resigning was not an option. He already knew too much, even if in real terms he knew almost nothing. The Company would consider him a threat, and he was sure that he would be dealt with in a very unpleasant way. It might even put Anthea’s life at risk. There was nothing for it other than to keep on learning about the Organisation, avoid the law and do all that was asked of him, within reason. Steve was sure there was a way out of his predicament, all he needed was time and information. Both items were currently in short supply.