Whispers in the Sand

by Barbara Erskine

  Serena was watching her face. ‘You’ve thought of someone?’

  ‘No. No one on the boat would take it. The diary is valuable. That might be a temptation to someone, I suppose. Both Andy and Toby have warned me about it, but no one would take the bottle.’

  They sat in silence for a moment, a silence that was intensified by the sound of the gong in the depths of the boat. ‘Supper.’ Serena shrugged.

  ‘Do we say anything? Ask if anyone has seen it?’

  Serena shook her head with a grimace. ‘I’d say not. You’re not accusing anyone yet – probably not at all. I’m sure the crew are trustworthy and all the passengers. No. If it was me, I’d keep quiet for now.’

  She did. The meal was a cheerful one and it was easy to let the conversation flow round her, listening to the others. Once or twice she put in a comment, but it was hardly necessary. The visit to Kom Ombo, the afternoon’s leisurely cruise, the throb of the engines as they headed towards Aswan had worn them all out. There was a general easy bonhomie interspersed with long friendly silences as one after another people found their eyes closing.

  Omar had arranged a film for them in the lounge bar after the meal and gradually the passengers made their way up to find seats and sit sipping after-dinner drinks and coffee.

  As they disappeared from the dining room Anna remained where she was. Ben leant down as he left the table. ‘Coming with us, Anna, my dear?’

  She shook her head. ‘To tell you the truth I’m a bit tired.’

  ‘OK.’ He gave her a quick smile and moved on after Andy and Charley. Charley glanced over her shoulder as she left the dining room. The look she threw at Anna was triumphant.

  She was the last passenger there, sitting alone as Ali and Ibrahim cleared the tables. It was Ibrahim who eventually approached her. He removed the final dishes from the table and whisked a brush across the tablecloth. ‘You are sad, mademoiselle? Would you like a beer to cheer you up? Or a coffee, here alone? I can fetch you one.’ He had a gentle face, deeply lined, and his dark brown eyes were, she realised as she looked up at him, very kind.

  ‘I should like that, Ibrahim. Thank you. A coffee please.’

  ‘But not Egyptian coffee.’ His face creased into a thousand wrinkles as he smiled. It had already become a standing joke on the boat that Egyptian coffee was too strong for most of the effete British.

  ‘No. I wouldn’t sleep for a month. Weak English coffee with milk, please Ibrahim.’

  Ali had finished his chores. He glanced round, satisfied, and reached to turn off most of the lights, leaving only the one above Anna’s table.

  ‘I’m sorry. I’m making more trouble for you by staying here.’ She spoke to Ali, but already he had gone, disappearing towards the kitchens and the crew’s quarters beyond. It was Ibrahim who answered, bringing her coffee.

  ‘It is no trouble. I am pleased to serve you, mademoiselle. Please, sit as long as you like.’ He bowed. For a moment he hesitated, as though he were going to say something more, then he turned and left.

  It was an odd feeling, sitting in the empty dining room. It was almost dark, save for the spotlight illuminating her table. The counter, with the empty polished coffee urn and spotless food containers ready for breakfast was in semi-darkness. There was no sound except the steady throb of the engine and the beat of the paddles as the boat slowly made its way upriver.

  She sipped the coffee thoughtfully. Part of her was looking forward to going back to her cabin to read some more of the diary and get an early night; another part was, she had to admit, a little nervous.

  She sat for a long time after her cup was empty, her chin resting on her linked fingers. Staring into space, half asleep, she did not at first hear the quiet creak as the doors swung open.

  ‘Aha! So this is where you are hiding!’ Andy came in, two glasses awkwardly held in one hand and let the doors swing shut behind him. ‘I hope you weren’t trying to hide from me!’

  She looked up and smiled a little wearily, unable to stop herself glancing quickly at the door behind him to see if Charley were still in hot pursuit. ‘As if I could. Or would!’

  He put the glasses down on the table and pushed one towards her. ‘A night cap.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘May I ask why so thoughtful, all on your own in here? A trouble shared and all that? If it would help.’

  It was strange how relaxed she immediately felt in his company. She glanced at him. ‘I’ve lost something. Something rather precious. My little scent bottle. I know you said it was probably a fake but it’s very special to me.’

  ‘Could you have dropped it somewhere? Kom Ombo perhaps, when we were climbing around the ruins?’

  She shook her head. ‘It’s gone from my cabin.’

  ‘Stolen you mean?’ He looked shocked. ‘Surely you’ve mislaid it? Forgotten where you’ve put it?’

  ‘I’d like to think so, but I’ve looked everywhere. Serena helped me. It’s not there.’

  ‘Have you reported its loss to Omar?’

  She shook her head. How could she tell him that he, Andy, had been her chief suspect. ‘I thought I’d look again before I say anything to anyone. It would create such a nasty atmosphere if I started throwing accusations around. Perhaps it will turn up.’

  ‘If you’re looking for a suspect I should ask myself about that Hayward fellow. He’s been showing an inordinate interest in you and your diary and no one seems to know anything about him.’

  ‘He’s no more interested than you’ve been, Andy,’ she retorted. ‘No, he’s fascinated by Louisa’s drawing and painting. He’s a bit abrasive, I grant you, but I’m sure he’s not a thief.’ She glanced at her watch, and sighed. ‘So much for my early night. Has the film finished?’

  He nodded. He was sipping his drink, staring at her over the brim of the glass.

  ‘And was it interesting?’

  ‘A lesson in how to be a good Muslim citizen of modern Egypt!’ He smiled. ‘Interesting yes, but I would rather learn more about the ancient history of the country if we have to have lessons at all.’

  Anna chuckled. ‘I haven’t been to any of them. They’re not compulsory.’

  ‘They are if they’re in the bar!’ He leant back and folded his arms. ‘So, how are you enjoying the cruise, apart from your loss? I get the feeling that for you it’s been a bit stressful so far.’

  She paused, considering. ‘Yes, I suppose it has. I brought too much baggage with me. Not just Louisa Shelley and her diary and her scent bottle, but my own divorce and my worries for the future.’ She shook her head slowly. ‘Andy, can I ask you something?’ She paused. She wanted to know if he had come across Louisa’s paintings on the open market, if he had ever met Felix, if Felix had ever offered him any of her things for sale. Nothing had ever gone missing from the house permanently, but once or twice things had disappeared for a week or two, to be cleaned, he said, and then reappeared. Her suspicion was that he had had them valued. Or that once or twice when he had hit a bad patch at work he had been tempted. It didn’t matter now. At the time of their divorce he had been rich enough to give her the house and leave its contents virtually intact. But part of her perversely still wanted to know just how much of a dupe she had been. She was trying to work out how to phrase her question when the double doors to the dining room burst open and Charley stormed in.

  ‘So, this is where you’re hiding!’ She stepped inside, allowing the doors to swing shut behind her. She had changed since supper when she had been dressed in a pale-green jacket, her hair fastened back in a knot. Now her hair was hanging loose around her shoulders and she was wearing a skimpy pink sundress. ‘Why is it I’m not surprised to find you here, I wonder, Andy?’ She walked over to their table and stood over them, looking down. ‘Just tell me something, Andy. Are we finished?’

  Anna stood up hastily. ‘Look, this is nothing to do with me –’

  ‘Of course it is.’ Charley glared at her coldly. ‘Believe me, this has everything to do
with you.’

  ‘No, Charley. It hasn’t.’ Andy stood up too. He slammed his glass down on the table. ‘Long before we came here I was sick of your clinging and whingeing, and since we’ve been on the boat your temper has been atrocious. I don’t know what is the matter with you. I’m sorry. I don’t want to hurt you, but you and I are going nowhere together. I didn’t want to have to say this, but it seems I’ve got to. You don’t seem to want a pleasant, natural relationship which is going to develop at its own rate. You want a man to provide you with a lifestyle, Charley. You want him to give you money, house, wedding ring, even designer baby, for God’s sake! That man is not me. You’ve got to learn to make your own way, Charley, or find some other sucker who doesn’t mind being sponged off. And leave Anna alone. She’s right. This has nothing to do with her. We were having a peaceful drink. That’s all. No more. No less. No complications.’ He paused and took a deep breath. ‘Listen, this is a small boat. This is the holiday of a lifetime for most of the people on it. Don’t spoil it for them. No one else need know about this. I know Anna won’t say anything, and neither will I. So let’s keep it private, and stay friends. When we get to Aswan tomorrow let’s just enjoy ourselves, OK?’ He held out his hands towards her.

  ‘Friends!’ Charley almost spat the word at him. ‘I don’t think so. Do you know what you are, Andy? You’re a smug, conceited, self-centred bastard! And you only want her because of her valuable diary and you’ll do anything to get it. I know you! You’ll drop her once you’ve got what you want, just like you went off me once you’d got my father’s Hockney! Well, you deserve each other.’

  The last remark was hurled at Anna as Charley whirled round and stormed out of the dining room, flinging back the doors so hard against the wall that the sound seemed to reverberate through the boat.

  Anna looked at Andy in stunned silence. He sighed. ‘I’m sorry. I wouldn’t have had that happen for the world. Stupid woman. We’ve been working up to this for quite a while. Take no notice of anything she said. With a bit of luck this will clear the air.’ He paused. ‘And in case you’re wondering, yes, I bought her father’s Hockney. It was rather a good one. And I resold it for a profit. Legally. Above board. Everyone was happy. That is the first time she’s even mentioned it!’

  ‘I’m beginning to think this holiday is cursed.’ Anna shook her head.

  ‘What, from going into Tutankhamen’s tomb? I don’t think so.’ He laughed. ‘Come on, cheer up. I’ve got some more of this stuff in my cabin. Why don’t we go and get a top-up –’

  He was just reaching for her glass when they heard a piercing scream from somewhere in the corridor outside. They stared at each other in shock for a split second, then Andy turned and made for the door with Anna right behind him.

  A crowd of people were already gathering around an open cabin door at the end of the corridor as they emerged from the dining room. It was Charley’s cabin.

  ‘What is it? What’s happened? Where’s Serena?’ Andy pushed to the front of the crowd.

  Charley was standing in the middle of the cabin floor, tears pouring down her face. ‘It was a snake! In there!’ She pointed at the floor where one of the drawers from the dressing table lay, its contents spilt all around it. ‘It was in there, waiting for me!’ She had started to shake violently.

  ‘Did it bite you, Charley?’ Ben pushed forward through the crowd. He was clutching a first aid box.

  Behind him Omar had appeared, his face a picture of anguish. ‘What is this? What has happened?’ Omar moved Ben out of the way bodily and stepped into the cabin. ‘Please, Miss Charley, be quiet so we can hear ourselves talk.’ Charley’s sobs were rapidly becoming hysterical. ‘Now, quietly, tell us what happened. Are you hurt?’

  ‘A snake!’ She pointed at the drawer. ‘There was a snake curled up inside it.’

  ‘Did it bite you?’ Omar’s face had become ashen.

  She shook her head.

  He took a deep breath, visibly relieved. ‘I don’t see how this is possible.’ Frowning he took a step back from the drawer. ‘How could a snake get into the boat?’

  Behind them Serena had suddenly appeared in the doorway. ‘What is it? What’s wrong?’ She pushed her way into the cabin and stared round, taking in the shocked expressions of the horrified onlookers.

  ‘Where have you been?’ Charley burst into tears once more.

  ‘I was on deck, looking at the stars.’ Serena put her arm round Charley and hugged her comfortingly. ‘What is it?’

  ‘There was a snake in the drawer.’ Omar shook his head mournfully. ‘This is so strange. I don’t see how it could happen –’

  ‘More to the point, where has it gone?’ Ben put in.

  Behind him the crowd was dispersing as one by one the other passengers made their way nervously back to their own cabins, looking uncomfortably around them as they went. The corridor was well lit. There was nowhere for the snake to hide. A narrow strip of carpet ran down the middle of the floor. At the end of the corridor where it debauched into the reception area outside the dining room stood one of the brass spittoons, a relic of the boat’s more stately days and the blackboard where the next day’s events were posted. Otherwise the corridor was completely empty of hiding places.

  ‘It must still be in here or we would have seen it.’ Andy stared round. ‘We’ll have to look under the bed, in the cupboards, drawers, everywhere. It must have been quite small to have fitted into the drawer. Serena, why not take Charley into the bar while Omar and Ben and I look for it?’

  Omar shook his head. ‘We would not find it. Snakes can hide. They can make themselves invisible. I shall fetch Ibrahim. He is a snake catcher. He can call them and they will come.’

  ‘Call them?’ Ben echoed. He raised an eyebrow.

  Omar nodded. ‘His father and his father’s father did this before him. They have power over snakes. He can smell them. If there is a snake here, he will smell it and he will catch it and he will take it away.’

  They all stared at him. ‘You’re not serious?’ Ben said at last. ‘You mean he’s a snake charmer?’

  Omar shrugged. ‘Not like a charmer who sits with a basket in the bazaar. Those snakes have had their poison drawn. Ibrahim will not harm the snakes and the snakes will not harm him. I will fetch him now.’ He made his way out of the cabin, clearly relieved to be away from any possible close proximity to the creature.

  Serena led Charley away. She glanced at Anna as they passed her. ‘We’ll talk tomorrow.’ She smiled. ‘Are you all right?’

  Anna nodded. Only she and Ben and Andy were left now. She should go too, she knew, but something kept her there in the doorway. She took a small step into the cabin.

  ‘Careful, Anna,’ Ben warned. ‘It might be a cobra. They are still common in the fields along the Nile.’

  But her eyes were on the drawer. It contained a muddle of filmy female underwear – Charley’s rather than Serena’s at a guess – a few strings of beads and there, nestling in the middle … She stepped closer.

  ‘My scent bottle!’ She bent and lifted it out. ‘That is my scent bottle – stolen from my cabin!’

  Andy frowned. ‘You were talking to Serena about it, weren’t you? Maybe she –’

  ‘No!’ Anna swung round on him. ‘No, Andy. It was Charley. We both know it was Charley.’ Her indignation was mitigated by relief that she need not after all contemplate the idea of some kind of ghostly interference in her cabin.

  Behind them Omar had appeared. At his heels was Ibrahim, carrying a covered basket.

  ‘Please to come away, peoples.’ Omar stood back and ushered Anna out of the cabin, leaving Ibrahim standing alone in the centre of the floor. As they clustered round the doorway he turned to them, frowning, and put his finger to his lips. They froze, watching.

  He stood quite still for several seconds, his head slightly to one side. Turning round he waited again, listening intently. They could see the slight flaring of his nostrils as he sniffed the air. Moving acro
ss to the window he ran his hand for a second across it. It was closed. Then he turned and surveyed the room. He was looking increasingly puzzled.

  At last he shook his head. ‘There is no snake here. Pas de serpents.’

  ‘Are you sure?’ Omar was still in the doorway.

  ‘Ibrahim is sure. But there is something strange here.’ He frowned. He was staring down at the drawer. ‘If it was there it was very small. The cobra, he grows to two metres. More.’ He squatted down and reached out his hand, then as though suddenly realising what the drawer contained he drew back distastefully. He stood up, turned round and looked straight at Anna who was still there in the doorway with Ben and Andy. He stared at her for a moment, then he shook his head. ‘Mademoiselle has something – something the king snake guards –’ His voice dropped away, puzzled. ‘The snake is afraid you will give it away, to a man.’

  Anna’s hands tightened around the little scent bottle. ‘I don’t understand.’ Little waves of panic rippled across her skin.

  Ibrahim nodded slowly. ‘He has gone now. There is no danger from him, but there is a shadow in the air.’ His long thin fingers wove a pattern for a moment in front of them, and then curled into a fist. ‘He is angry and that is not good.’

  ‘We cannot have a snake on the boat, Ibrahim,’ Omar put in. He frowned repressively. ‘We shall have to call in someone when we get to Aswan if you cannot find it.’ He added a quick quiet corollary in Arabic.

  Ibrahim’s face darkened imperceptibly. ‘Do you not trust my words?’

  ‘Of course I trust you,’ Omar bowed. ‘It is the travel company. Their representative comes aboard at Aswan to see all is well …’ He shrugged expansively.

  ‘And all will be well, Inshallah!’ Ibrahim nodded. ‘Now go. All go to your cabins. The king snake is not on the boat any longer.’

  Andy glanced at Anna and then at Omar. ‘Can you be sure of that?’

  ‘Have I not said?’ Ibrahim frowned. He was a tall man and he had, if anything, gained in stature as he was speaking to them. When he had arrived, he was no longer wearing the white galabiyya of a waiter; his garment was deep blue, embroidered around the edge with a rich design. Next to Omar who habitually wore black trousers and a western shirt he looked exotic and mysterious and, Anna realised, in a strange way, very powerful.