by Lewis Orde
‘I was bored. And . . . you looked kind of interesting.’ She leaned toward him, inspected the front of his sportcoat. ‘Excuse my curiosity, but is that the Military Cross and the Military Medal?’
Roland glanced down, expecting to see the two decorations fastened to his sportcoat until he remembered where he’d heard those words before – right here, as they were pulling out of Aldershot Station. ‘I came up through the ranks,’ he said, remembering exactly how he’d responded. ‘For a woman you’ve got an excellent eye for ribbons.’
‘I should have—’
‘Yes, I know. You wrote about the war from a woman’s point of view. Still wish you were writing for the Mercury?’
‘No, I don’t think so.’ She reached out and took Roland’s hand. ‘It would have become too stifling in the end. The Eagle’s much more fun. What about you? Do you still wish you were coming out of the army that day back in 1947? Would you like to turn back the clock?’
Roland considered it. Given the opportunity would he rectify some of the mistakes he’d made . . . identify himself to his father’s family earlier? . . . figure out some way to marry Catarina without forcing the break with her family? . . . avoid Sharon? Or would he go through life the same way, making the same mistakes? He probably would, he decided. Mistakes were part of life. Even Kassler. He would believe Kassler all over again and have to live with learning the shattering truth all over again. Besides, if he had learned the truth about Kassler in the very beginning, where would Katherine be now? Would he have two such gorgeous grandchildren? It was like a black cloud with a bright silver lining. No . . . there must be a better analogy than that – black and silver – those were the colors of Kassler’s old uniform, the colors of the SS.
‘Penny for them,’ Sally said.
‘For my thoughts? They’re hardly worth that much.’
‘Okay, if you say so. Then what about when we get to London? Are you still going to stay at that hotel off Leicester Square?’
‘I’m not even certain it’s still there. How about if I telephone you once I get settled? Maybe we can go out for dinner, to that restaurant in Bayswater? What was it called?’
‘Antoine’s.’
‘That’s right, Antoine’s. The man who does wonders with the little food the government allows.’
‘I’m not sure he’s there anymore.’
Roland shook his head. ‘Everything’s changed but us.’ Not long ago he had controlled an international empire, now he was happy to run three companies, all based in London. Once he looked forward to accepting a knighthood; now, he was happy to remain plain Mr Eagles. And once – on the very night they’d shared this same train ride together – he’d had Sally. But that hadn’t changed. He still had her. She’d stuck by him for twenty-seven years, her life inexorably entwined with his own, helping him, advising him, even calling him on his arrogance at times. ‘You know, I was wondering . . .’
‘Oh?’
‘I’ve got a lot of money coming from Michael for those shares in the Eagles Group.’
‘Enough to buy me a new car?’ Sally asked. Still holding Roland’s hand, she stood up as the train pulled into Waterloo Station.
‘Enough to buy a thousand new cars with plenty left over for tax and insurance. But what about using that money to start all over again?’
Sally opened the door and jumped down, dragging Roland behind her. ‘I think I’d rather you bought me a thousand new cars.’ They began to walk toward the exit, where Roland held out the tickets to the collector. ‘That way,’ she added, ‘I might get to see you occasionally.’
‘Settle for one new car?’
‘If that’s your final offer, I suppose it’ll have to do.’
Traffic was heavy that evening and Roland took Sally’s hand again as they made their way through the crowd to the street, searching for a cab. As they stood together Roland glanced at Sally’s profile. For a brief moment he felt that it could have been twenty-seven years earlier. The feeling he’d once had for her must still be there, Roland thought, only this time there was something more – a deeply abiding love seasoned by their many years of friendship. He hailed a cab, and held her hand tightly until he opened the door and helped her inside for the ride home.
*
THE END
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