As he was bringing her another fresh cup, the waiter enquired whether she would like him to take something up to Mr Parrish?
‘Oh. Please. No.’
‘I understand perfectly, madam. May I send you out some pastries?’
‘You certainly may. Thank you.’
It was very pleasant, sitting in the sun. Jane selected something flaky and chocolatey and rather thought she could get the hang of this undercover stuff.
The morning wore on. The lunchtime trade turned up, laughing and shouting, and with a bedraggled Luke Parrish in their wake. Someone had taken pity on him and provided him with a pair of dark glasses.
‘Fine sober counsellor you turned out to be,’ he moaned, carefully seating himself with his back to the sun.
She looked up from her newspaper. ‘How is this my fault?’
He winced. ‘For God’s sake, Jane. Stop booming at me.’
Her anxieties flooded back. Was he acting or, after the excesses of last night, had he really crashed? How reliable was he at the moment?
She lowered her voice. ‘And just to add to your woes, here comes your new BFF.’
Mr Geoffrey was crossing the grass, as shiny as ever.
‘Oh God,’ groaned Luke.
‘Luke, you’ve emerged.’
It was ‘Luke’ now, Jane noticed.
‘Do allow me to offer you lunch – on us, of course. Between you and me, the King’s Arsenal does feel just the tiniest bit responsible for you feeling a fraction under the weather this morning. And you too, of course, Miss . . . um.’
He flashed Jane a wide smile obviously intended to compensate for not remembering her name. Jane tried to feel compensated and failed.
She looked at her watch. ‘Well, actually . . . Mr . . . er . . . I think it’s time we were . . .’
‘Oh, surely not. And I really think Luke should have something to settle his stomach before attempting the return journey.’
Luke paled and groaned and Jane allowed herself to be persuaded. She didn’t want to put herself in the position of being deliberately excluded in any future conversations.
They dined privately in Mr Geoffrey’s office behind the restaurant. Mr Geoffrey really was rather good, thought Jane. The conversation was perfectly choreographed. Nothing was rushed or forced. Nothing could have been more natural than his enquiry as to Luke’s plans for the future.
Luke shrugged. ‘I’ve been a bit out of things recently. Plus, of course, I’m avoiding the old man before he starts on about my spending habits again. You know how it goes. Same old, same old. Not a penny if I don’t start behaving myself. Thinking of taking myself out of London for a while. Away from the Eye of Sauron, so to speak. Might take Jane on a cruise. Between you and me,’ he continued in a hoarse whisper audible not only to Jane but to the two waiters standing over by the door, ‘she’s a bit of a challenge, that one, but I’m quietly confident. Might even leave the country altogether. Dunno. I’ll have to have a bit of a think. According to the rehab people, it’s always important to have a plan. Apparently drifting aimlessly through life, though pleasant, is not the right way to go. They even talked about getting a job and I think they meant me. Anyway, mustn’t trespass any longer. Thanks v much for lunch and hospitality. Nice place, this. You can rely on me to put the word out to the right people.’
Mr Geoffrey pulled his chair closer. Jane tried not to edge away. Leaning forwards, he said confidentially, ‘You know, Mr Parrish, I think you and I might be in a position to help each other out a little.’
Luke smiled politely. ‘Oh yes?’
‘I think I know some people who might like to meet you and the lovely Miss . . . erm . . . if you’d be amenable.’
Luke shook his head. ‘You know me, Geoffrey – I really don’t do hard work and discipline.’
‘I think we could spare you that, Mr Parrish. I see you in a more ambassadorial role. You know . . . representing us to some very exclusive clients. A couple of days a month, perhaps.’
‘Really? Well, yeah, I expect I could do that. Yeah – why not? Although I’ve got to ask – what would I be touting? I tell you now – if it’s women or drugs, I don’t do that.’
‘No. Oh, no, no, no. Nothing like that. This is a very high-class outfit. I’ll see if I can arrange a taster session, if you like.’
‘Sounds interesting, but not this morning. Sorry – this afternoon. Bit of a head at the moment. And, as I say – lots of threads to pick up. Bit busy these next few weeks.’
‘Of course. We’ll be in touch in a week or so.’ He looked out of the window. ‘I believe your taxi is here.’
Luke stood up, wobbly but resolute. ‘That reminds me – how much do I owe you?’
Mr Geoffrey waved the offer aside.
Yes, thought Jane. The obligation is beginning. Slowly, imperceptibly, the net will tighten.
‘On the house, Luke. Our gift. We think this might be the beginning of a very profitable partnership.’
Luke nodded, hauled himself to his feet and swayed. Jane made absolutely no effort to render assistance. Groaning, Luke set off for the jetty.
They boarded the taxi. On their return, Luke had a bit of a lie-down and Jane had a long hot bath to remove the residue of Mr Geoffrey.
24
Four days passed during which nothing happened. Jane was unsure whether this was good or bad. She knew Mr Geoffrey had said about a week, but even so . . .
Still, Luke seemed relaxed and so should she be. This was just how they’d planned it. Make them do all the work. And, as Luke said, as they strolled around the Serpentine one day, dodging the feral ducks, Geoffrey and his gang – whoever they were – would be busy checking them out. Ensuring Luke and Jane were exactly who they said they were.
Another week passed which included more socialising than Jane had ever done in her entire life. Until she joined the Time Police, Jane’s entire social life had consisted of catering to acquaintances of her grandmother – you couldn’t call them friends – all of whom were grandmother clones when it came to sucking the life out of those around them.
And then – finally – a personal invitation arrived at the apartment from the oleaginous Mr Geoffrey. For lunch and, if Mr Parrish was agreeable, to meet some people.
‘I don’t think you should go alone,’ said Jane, giving voice to her role as sober counsellor, chaperone, fun-spoiler and inconvenient appendage. A role at which, Luke had informed her several times, she excelled.
‘I don’t have to,’ he said. ‘You’re included in the invite.’