Deuce

by Jen Silver

  †

  Jay waved her hand to indicate Ross should sit on the sofa. When Sandra, the clinic’s receptionist, came in, she sat next to him. They eyed her nervously as she seated herself in the chair opposite.

  “I’m taking some time off. A week, maybe two.”

  “Are you okay?” Sandra asked.

  Ross had already enquired after her health, although in a less subtle way, telling her she looked like shit.

  “I’m not ill. I just need to sort out a few personal things.” Like a dead lover coming back to life. “I hope it won’t come to this, but it may be necessary to close the clinic for a while.”

  “Why?” Ross obviously hadn’t been expecting her to say this.

  “Charlotte Summersbridge isn’t dead.”

  Sandra made the connection first. “Those Danish people who came here the second time. Was that her? The one who rushed out looking angry.”

  Jay nodded and launched into the story of where Charley had been and her recently recovered memory.

  “I don’t understand.” Ross shifted in his seat. “Why would we have to close? Doesn’t she want her name associated with the clinic?”

  “Most of our clients don’t know what the initials stand for. We’re just CSC to them. No, it’s the press interest this story may generate that worries me. You’ll be in the front line, Sandra, and if they can’t get any answers by calling, they may use the tactic of booking appointments to talk to staff.”

  “What should I say when anyone asks?”

  “Refer them to the Danish embassy.”

  “I thought the Faroes were independent of Denmark.”

  “They are. But the premises in London also house the Iceland embassy and representatives for the Faroe Islands.” Jay gave Ross a wry smile. “I looked it up.”

  The phone on her desk rang. Sandra moved to get up, but Jay said, “I’ll get it.”

  “Sorry, I routed the calls through as I didn’t know how long we’d be.”

  “That’s okay.” Jay picked up the receiver. “CSC. Jay Reid here. How can I help you?”

  The voice on the other end was young and sounded uncertain. “Hello. I am looking for my mother. Is she here?”

  “I’m sorry, you must have the wrong number.”

  “My name is Konrad.”

  “Oh.” The name and the carefully spoken words jolted Jay’s memory. “Where are you?”

  “I am here, outside. May I come in?”

  “Yes. I’ll be right there.”

  Jay put the phone down. “Bloody hell. Charley’s son has turned up. I’ll go and let him in. It’s opening time anyway.”

  Sandra and Ross followed her out.

  The boy standing on the steps didn’t look very old, maybe thirteen or fourteen, but Jay would have known he was Charley’s offspring right away. He and Josh could have been twins. Except that Konrad looked cold and famished, and had probably slept in the same clothes for several nights.

  She ushered him into her office, and without being asked, Sandra appeared with coffee for both of them and a plate of chocolate digestives. Jay waited for Konrad to settle. He ate two biscuits in quick succession and gulped down some coffee.

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. You know that your mother is most likely to be at the Danish embassy.”

  “Yes. But I cannot go there.”

  After a few false starts, Jay got the story out of him. He had been left in the care of a family in Copenhagen. Once his mother had sorted out her identity, then he would be able to join her. But he had no passport.

  “How did you get here?”

  “On a boat.”

  “Won’t this family have reported you missing?”

  “They think I visit with a school friend.”

  Jay watched him eat another biscuit. Should she phone Hilde? That would be the sensible thing to do. He looked so vulnerable, though. So like Josh at that age, wavering between a boy and a man. The boy was dominant now, and Konrad looked like he was most in need of a good meal, rather than a grilling from Danish officials.

  She swept her eyes around the room. Her desk was clear, everything tidied away in preparation for her leave of absence, however long that may be. She’d even tucked the photos of Charley and Josh in a locked drawer. To protect them or herself, she wasn’t sure which. And now, Konrad. The unspoken plea was there in his eyes.

  Standing, she picked up her jacket and phone. “Come on. I think you could do with a good meal.”

  He followed her out, and Jay stopped at the reception desk. “If anyone asks, he hasn’t been here.”

  Sandra nodded. “Have a good break.”

  “Thanks. But do call if there’s anything you need help with.” Jay didn’t need to spell it out. Sandra knew what she meant.

  “Go on. Relax. We’ll be fine here.”

  Jay walked out of the clinic with Konrad, wondering when she would start feeling fine again.

  †

  Mo deposited her overnight bag on the bed. The Sextant’s bedrooms were undergoing a winter refurbishment, so the landlord had booked her in at the B & B across the road. In a way she was pleased. The bedroom was cleaner and brighter than any she had stayed in before at the pub. Their rooms were in dire need of updating.

  She wondered how Charlotte was settling in at the cottage. Although she’d been managing Jay’s business affairs since her first year on the tennis circuit, Mo had never met the love of Jay’s life before. She didn’t recognise this version of Charley from Jay’s descriptions.

  Jay was also clearly having a problem matching her memories of the woman she’d loved with the real-life one now. Mo thought back to their uncomfortable meeting earlier that day.

  “I’m sorry, Jay.” Mo watched Jay pacing back and forth in her office. “She asked me to take her there.”

  “Great. She must want your company more than mine.”

  “She’s still adjusting.”

  “And how long is that going to take? Another twenty-three years?”

  “It can’t be easy coming back from the dead.”

  “Maybe she should have stayed dead.”

  “You don’t mean that.”

  Jay’s shoulders had slumped, her whole bearing taking on the one Mo recognised from when she was defeated on a tennis court. She had always bounced back with renewed determination from those bouts, though. Mo wasn’t so sure she would recover from this one so easily.

  Her phone rang just as she was about to step in the bath. Mo thought of ignoring the insistent ringing but then realised it could be Charlotte, unable to find something at the cottage. Wrapping the bath towel around her shivering body, she returned to the bedroom and answered the call, surprised to see it was Jay.

  “We have a problem.”

  Mo sat on the bed and gripped the phone tightly. She hoped it wasn’t a financial issue, as she couldn’t do much about it away from her office.

  “What’s up?”

  “Konrad.”

  “Who?”

  “Charley’s son. He was supposed to stay in Copenhagen while she sorted out things here. But he hitched a ride on a fishing trawler. And somehow was able to find the clinic. His English isn’t very good, but he’s managed pretty well so far.”

  “Oh. Um, why didn’t he go to the embassy?”

  “He doesn’t have a passport and didn’t want to get sent back.”

  “Where is he now?”

  “Here. At home.”

  “So, you’re harbouring an illegal immigrant.”

  “Come on, Mo. I can’t report him. He just wants to see his mum.”

  Mo walked back into the bathroom. It was warmer in there but she suspected her bath water was cooling rapidly.

  “It’s too late to do anything this evening. Charlotte made it clear she wants some time alone in the cottage. And knowing he’s here will worry her. Why not keep him there for a few days, show him the sights?”

  “Fine. He and Josh seem to be getting on. Tess has
been agitating as well, though, wanting to know why Charley doesn’t want to see her.”

  “I know it’s hard, but everyone needs to stay calm. I’ll talk to Charlotte tomorrow before setting off. And we’ll discuss things when I get back.”

  “I hope you’ve told her to keep a low profile. I’m sure the story’s about to break. Tess hinted at it.”

  Mo poked the water with her toe. Still warm enough. “I don’t think she’s planning on going anywhere other than a walk along the beach. Not likely to meet any visitors at this time of year.”

  After ending the call, Mo added some more hot water to the tub, then sank gratefully into the warmth with the bubbles reaching her chin. No point worrying about things that hadn’t happened yet. Jay was right to be concerned about the impending news coverage, though. Mo was struck by the thought that even with Charlotte’s coldness towards her, Jay’s overriding instinct was to protect her from harm.

  †

  Lynne let the cats out of their respective carriers. Babs had complained loudly all the way back from the cattery. Slinky satisfied himself with giving her the evil eye whenever she looked at him.

  Leaving them in the kitchen with bowls of food and water, she peeked into the bedroom. Amanda was still asleep, light snuffles coming from under the duvet. She shut the door again and went into the living room. After rebooting the Wi-Fi and fetching herself a glass of wine, she settled down with her iPad. A cursory glance at her emails indicated she hadn’t missed much and only needed to turn up for the regular department meeting the next day.

  Scanning the newsfeed app didn’t bring up much of interest either. She might have skipped the article altogether if the name hadn’t jumped out at her: RV Caspian. Wreck found. Skeletal remains identified.

  She opened the page to read the full article although there wasn’t much more in it. A rumour was circulating, though, that there was a survivor from the wreck, but the Faroese authorities hadn’t named anyone. A shiver ran through her. Lynne didn’t believe in the supernatural, but the image of Charlotte Summersbridge immediately appeared in the forefront of her mind, blurring the screen in front of her.

  A loud meow startled her. Babs was looking up from the floor expectantly. Lynne put the iPad aside and patted her knee. “Come on up, then, fuzzball. I guess I’m forgiven.”

  Babs leapt up, turned around three times, and then settled on her lap. The purring started almost immediately. Slinky approached at a sedate pace, then jumped up to settle on the sofa next to her. Lynne’s hands were occupied with stroking each of her furry companions.

  If only the occupant of her bed could be persuaded to let her use her hands to the same effect. After the last few days in Corsica with Amanda being the most relaxed Lynn had seen her during the whole trip, Lynne started to hope she might be in with a chance. When Amanda said she couldn’t face going back to her apartment right away, Lynne had been quick to offer her flat as a temporary refuge.

  Her bed was only a standard double size. The one they’d shared in the honeymoon suite in Corsica had been large enough to avoid contact. She wasn’t sure how she was going to cope with having Amanda’s enticing body in close proximity. A few nights sleeping on the couch would be the only solution.

  †

  Konrad was playing a game with Ritchie, hiding the dog’s favourite toy behind his back and making it squeak before throwing it across the room. Ritchie was old enough not to fall for any such tricks, but he was enjoying the attention of this new person. His immediate acceptance of the stranger was no doubt helped by the clothes Jay had found for Konrad to wear: a tracksuit Josh had outgrown. The boy was looking one hundred percent better than when she’d first seen him that morning. Hot food and a bath had improved his disposition as well. He no longer looked frightened.

  Jay heard the front door close and waited at the top of the stairs. Sometimes Josh came straight up after coming home from work. Today, though, he went into his bedroom. She didn’t have long to wait before hearing the downstairs toilet flush, and a few minutes later, Josh appeared, having changed his work clothes for jeans and a sweatshirt.

  “Hi, Mum. What’s up?”

  “We have a visitor.”

  “Charley? Is she here?” He reached the landing and tried to look past her into the living room.

  “No. She’s in Norfolk. It’s her son.”

  Jay stood aside, and Josh went in ahead of her. Konrad looked up from his position on the floor and quickly got to his feet.

  “Hi. I’m Josh.”

  “Konrad.” He held out his hand.

  Jay held her breath as Josh didn’t look like he was going to shake it. His next move took her and Konrad by surprise.

  “Fuck that, you’re my brother.” Josh moved closer and gave Konrad a hug before stepping back to study his face. Turning back to look at Jay, one arm still around the startled Konrad’s shoulders, he said, “Do we look alike?”

  “Yes. At least, you would if you lost the fuzz on your face.”

  Josh stroked the stubble on his chin and grinned at her. “Maybe I’ll shave it off, then.”

  It was a constant source of banter between them. Jay doubted he would actually take a razor to the facial hair. She knew that the growth helped him feel more secure in his identity.

  “So Konrad, has the old lady offered you a beer?”

  “He’s only fourteen. And less of the ‘old’ if you want to see your next birthday.”

  Josh ignored her and turned to Konrad. “Would you like a beer?”

  He nodded.

  “Excellent. Glass of red, Mum?”

  “Why not? Might as well join you in corrupting this youth.”

  Konrad didn’t quite seem to be following the conversation, but Jay guessed he knew enough since he went with Josh into the kitchen. They were both smiling when they returned with the drinks. Ritchie dithered between wanting to sit by Josh or gracing his new friend with his presence. When they sat on the sofa, he quickly jumped up to claim the space between them.

  Chapter Thirteen

  I wake to see a weak trail of sunlight casting a glow across the wooden beams above. Every knot and crack familiar to me.

  Dressing quickly, I go outside. Watching the sun rise over the sea was a favourite part of my day. A stroll along the beach beckons, and I obey the summons. Breakfast can wait.

  The walk invigorates my senses, dissipating the anxieties of the day before. Back at the cottage, I prepare the coffee machine as I had seen Mo do it. Examining the contents of the fridge, I decide on toast and marmalade. The supplies she brought yesterday include a jar of rollmop herring. My stomach churns at the thought of eating it. I suppose she thought it would be a favourite delicacy.

  Breakfast over, I decide to look in the attic while I’m feeling strong. I expect layers of dust to fall on me as I pull down the ladder. But it’s clean. When I poke my head into the space below the eaves and switch on the light, it all looks tidy and cared for.

  The sagging armchair I recognise. One of the first pieces of furniture I bought when I moved here. A photograph album is open on the overturned crate. Possibly the same crate that held my music collection. Has Jay kept the albums? There was no sign of a record player downstairs.

  I back down the steps and take a deep breath. Revisiting my past was feeling less like a good idea now I was here.

  Instead, I walk across the hall and open the door to the room I resisted visiting last night. The baby’s room. Jay helped decorate it on one of her flying visits between tennis tournaments. We had argued endlessly about the colour scheme. But we agreed on one thing: it wasn’t going to be either pink or blue. The sea green on two walls and yellow on the other contrasted with the stonework on the side with the window. The overall effect was bright and cosy. A mobile of dancing dolphins hung above the cot.

  My initial thought as I walk into the room is that Konrad would love it. I’m standing in what could be a replica of a cabin, the captain’s quarters in an old sailing ship. Wood-lined
walls, a built-in bunk bed with drawers underneath, an ancient-looking writing desk under the window, polished floorboards with a brightly patterned rug covering the space between the door and the bed.

  It has a definite masculine feel. I walk over to the window and pick up the model of the Golden Hind from the ledge. Holding it up to the light, I can see the intricate detail. This was not made from a kit. I replace it gently. On closer examination, each piece of furniture in the room looks to be handcrafted. The only anomaly in this seafarer’s shrine is the cowboy Stetson sitting on the top bunk.

  I stumble back into the kitchen and pour another coffee. It’s still warm. A strange noise penetrates the jumble of thoughts going through my mind.

  The phone is lying on the table, vibrating with the sound it’s making, and I see Mo’s name on the screen.

  “Hello.”

  “Morning. Did you sleep all right?”

  Somehow, I don’t think she’s calling to enquire whether or not I had a good night’s sleep.

  “On and off.”

  “Well, before I head back to London, there’s something I need to talk to you about. Is it okay for me to stop by now?”

  “Yes, that’s fine. I’ll refresh the coffee pot.”

  “No need. I’ve had my fill here. Don’t want too many pit stops on my trip back.”

  I take a few sips of the rapidly cooling coffee before tipping the rest down the sink. She will be here in a few minutes, so I go and sit in the conservatory to wait. This is a nice addition to the cottage. A japanese-style screen hides the exercise bike and small rack of weights. Evidence of how Jay has managed to keep in shape. I only wish I could be so disciplined. Self-consciously I pull in my slack stomach muscles.

  I can’t think what else Mo needs to tell me. She already talked me through the financial situation as we drove here yesterday. It seems Jay never really believed I was gone forever. She set up a trust fund in my name. And although she paid off the mortgage here, the cottage is still in our joint names. So I have a place to live and enough money to get by on without having to think of getting a job. Konrad might not be happy living out here, though. I could see he was excited at the prospect of moving to a city.