*
With the arrival of the fine weather Jack Reagan set out to take a closer look at London’s new landmarks: the Shard and the Gould Tower. He was surprised by the new spurt of office construction in the City, a sure sign that the economy was on the mend.
From London Bridge he headed for Borough Market where he stopped to buy a pastrami bagel at one of the many stalls in the food court that now occupied the pedestrian zone. He then wandered down Cathedral Street to the riverside where he found a bench and sat down to watch the passers-by: pretty office girls and tourists. He ate his bagel with relish and was just wiping his mouth when he was startled to see Pat Kennedy strolling along in the company of a pretty Chinese girl.
“Pat!”
“Jack, what are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing!” he replied with a laugh. “It’s a long time.”
“Let me introduce you to Lili.”
Reagan already understood she was more than a casual acquaintance of Kennedy’s from they way they had held hands, quickly separating when he surprised them.
Reagan smiled and bowed politely whilst admiring Pat’s taste.
“I’m over for a few days looking after my properties in Pimlico.”
“You’re not that far from us.”
Reagan noted the ‘us’.
‘Is Marie-Helene with you?’ asked Kennedy.
“Unfortunately not, she doesn’t like hanging around while I look after my business.”
They all laughed.
“We’re having a little evening for friends tonight, why don’t you come over if your free.”
“I’d like that.”
“Informal. At eight.”
‘Fine.’
“Chelsea … Battersea,” said Kennedy pulling out a card, “here’s the address.”
The couple continued on there way as Reagan admired the couple.
They had got to know each other after being introduced in Biarritz by Tom Barton. Reagan had becoming one of a small group of ‘bad boys’ that got together whenever Pat and his friends were in town.
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